BETWEEN the LIONS
December 3, 2025
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Dear ACA Family,
Advent is a season marked by expectation, longing, and profound hope. It invites us to pause in the midst of our busy lives and remember that God Himself stepped into human history. More than 2,000 years ago, in the quiet town of Bethlehem, the long-awaited Messiah came just as the prophets foretold: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2).
But Advent is not only a backward glance at Christ’s first coming; it is a forward-leaning hope as well. As believers, we live in the “already and not yet,” celebrating the Savior who has come while eagerly anticipating the Savior who will come again. Jesus reminds us of this promise in John 14:3: “I will come again and will take you to myself.” Advent teaches us to wait—patiently, prayerfully, and with hearts anchored in the certainty of His faithfulness.
This season is a special gift to our school community. It reminds us why we exist: to point students to the truth that the Light of the world has come and that His light continues to shine in and through His people. May these weeks leading up to Christmas stir in us a renewed sense of wonder, gratitude, and joyful anticipation.
As we celebrate Advent together, may our hearts echo the ancient prayer of the Church: “Come, Lord Jesus.”
William Jason Putnam
Head of School
Recovery Updates
Baseball – Great progress continues on the baseball complex. Electrical service to the batting cage is complete. Planning is underway for repairs to the existing field house. Fencing is being installed, the warning track is taking shape, and design work is continuing on the dugout and clubhouse, the final major structures for the complex.
Soccer – Work is moving quickly on the soccer facilities. Fencing is underway, and the scoreboard will be installed soon. Sod goes in next week, keeping us on track for substantial completion of the fields before Christmas.
Tennis – The tennis courts are nearing the finish line. Asphalt and stormwater work are complete, and crews are now hanging fence panels. Site grading is finished, and slopes have been stabilized.
Track & Field – Construction remains steady in the track and football areas. Retaining wall work is ongoing, and jump pits are in process. Grading for the football field is complete, with perimeter drainage infrastructure now installed.
Thank you for your continued support as we rebuild these spaces. If you’d like to support or partner with us, please reach out to advancement@ashevillechristian.org
This month, our Character Education focus is on Goodness and Kindness, with an emphasis on Good Citizenship. Several Bible verses address the concept of good citizenship, emphasizing obedience to governing authorities, paying taxes, and respecting others. These verses highlight the importance of fulfilling our civic duties and maintaining peace and order within society.
It is important to teach students to obey school rules and the laws of the state and nation. Being a good citizen means understanding both a citizen’s rights and responsibilities, and striving to live them out with integrity and respect.
God calls each of us to be great citizens. Being a model citizen requires kindness, compassion, and empathy toward others. When we show these qualities, we reflect the goodness of God and help build a community where everyone feels valued and supported.
As we practice goodness and kindness this month, may we remember that these virtues go hand in hand with good citizenship. Through our actions, we can demonstrate Christ’s love, contribute to a positive school environment, and honor God in the way we live and serve others.
Character Education
Featured Events
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Giving Tuesday
Thank you for an incredible Giving Tuesday!
Because of your generosity, we raised over $20,000 on Giving Tuesday to support professional development for our faculty and staff, an investment that directly impacts our students every day. Thank you to every donor who helped make this possible.
And congratulations to the Medrano family, our Yeti cooler giveaway winner!
Even bigger news for The ACA Fund: thanks to your continued support, total gifts and pledges now stand at $184,000. With our $150,000 matching gift, that becomes an amazing $334,000 raised, putting us at 82% of our overall goal. If you haven’t yet given, please consider making a gift today.
We are deeply grateful for the way our community continues to show up for ACA. Your generosity truly makes a lasting difference.
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Christmas Concerts
Celebrate the joy of the season with our upcoming Christmas Concerts!
2nd–12th Grade Concert:
Friday, December 12th
7:00–8:00 PM
Biltmore Church – Arden CampusPre-K–1st Grade Concert:
Wednesday, December 17th
9:00–10:00 AM
ACA AuditoriumJoin us as our students share the message of Christmas through beautiful music and song. We look forward to celebrating with you!
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No Aftercare on December 12th
Because staff will be reporting to Biltmore Church for the Christmas program on Friday, December 12, there will be no aftercare that day. Please make plans to pick up your child by 3:20 PM. Thank you for helping us keep dismissal smooth and on time!
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Ugly Christmas Sweater Party & Cookie Exchange
Join us for a Parent Christmas Party!
Please bring a dozen cookies (they do not have to be homemade)
Wear a Christmas sweater (if you don’t have one, you can still come!
When: Friday, Dec. 12 from 8-10 a.m.
Who: All parents are invited
Where: Library
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Alumni Reception and Recognition
Current families, help us spread the word. If you are an ACA alum, have an alum in your family, or know someone who is, invite them to join us for a special Alumni Reception and Recognition Night on Friday, December 19. Alumni are welcome to gather in the team room to reconnect with friends and enjoy food and refreshments before a full night of basketball. Game times are 4:30 p.m. for JV boys, 5:30 p.m. for Varsity girls, and 7:00 p.m. for Varsity boys. Alumni will be recognized between the Varsity girls and Varsity boys games. Please share this invitation and help us welcome our alumni back for a great evening together.
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Christmas Break
Please note that students will be dismissed at noon on December 19, and the bus and shuttle will run as usual that day.
School will remain closed for Christmas break and will resume on January 6. May you have a joyful holiday season with family and friends as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.
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Fall Sports Overview
Congratulations to all our fall teams on a season filled with memories, meaningful achievements, and character-building challenges. From early practices to final whistles, we saw courage, grit, and growth on and off the field. Whether the scoreboard reflected a win or a hard-fought lesson, our students competed with heart and represented our school well. Thank you to our athletes, coaches, families, and fans for making this fall season one to celebrate!
Read the fall sports overview from our Athletic Department below.
Tandem Calendar
Calendar navigation: Click or tap on a date to view event details. Use arrows to view next month.
All School News
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Worship Wednesdays
We’re excited to introduce Worship Wednesdays—a monthly opportunity for parents to join our faculty and staff in corporate worship. We will gather on the third Wednesday of each month to pause amid our busy schedules, lift our voices in praise, and center our hearts on Christ together as one school family.
While we treasure social time, this particular gathering is set aside for worship with our focus on Christ alone. After worship concludes, please exit through the Lower School doors.
Students are welcome to attend but must sit with their parents; afterward, parents may walk their children to class.
Upcoming Worship Wednesday Dates from 7:30-7:45am:
December 17
January 21, 2026
February 18, 2026
March 18, 2026
April 15, 2026
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SVCM Food Drive
Dear ACA families,
On behalf of 4th grade, we want to thank everyone so much for donating to our SVCM food drive this fall! As we wrap up our school food drive, we want to take a moment to express just how grateful we are for your generosity and support. Because of your donations, we were able to help families in our community who need it most, especially during this season of gratitude. It was a huge success; we were able to create 60 thanksgiving dinner boxes to give out to families in Swannanoa that are in need this holiday season.
Each box includes mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, pie crust, corn, green beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, milk, and includes an ingles gift card to go towards a turkey. We had a goal of $2,000 in gift cards and you all generously gave so much that we ended up collecting $3,895 in ingles gift cards which helps us to be able to give even more to these families in need.
Your kindness has made a meaningful difference, and we are truly thankful for each and every contribution. Thank you again for being part of this effort and for teaching our students the importance of giving back. We are proud and appreciative of our wonderful families.
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Art Room Need
Now that most of us stream music, the art room is hoping families may have old CDs that are no longer used or wanted. Mrs. Patete would love for you to donate them for an upcoming project.
Either video or audio CDs would be great, and no compact disc will be turned away. Donations can be sent in with your child or dropped off at the art room.
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The Coffee Connection
The first Friday of every month (except November and April), there will be a Coffee Truck in front of the school. All parents are invited to park, buy coffee and socialize with other parents.
What: Bridge & Tunnel Coffee Truck: Meet other parents and get caffeinated and connected
When: Friday, December 5 from 8-9:30 a.m.
Where: Meet at the Coffee Truck (if it is raining, bring your coffee to the cafe area in the Student Union)
Who: All parents are invited
*Lower school parents may walk their children to class starting at 7:45am and then join us at the Coffee Truck.
Parent Teacher Fellowship
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Get Involved. Stay Connected. Build Community.
We believe that PTF is a great way to get involved, stay connected and build community. We invite every parent (or even grandparent) to join PTF with all of the activities we help with throughout the year.
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Moms in Prayer
Please join us every Monday morning after drop-off from 8:15-9:30 a.m. for Moms in Prayer. We meet in W213 (the conference room next to the 5th grade classrooms).
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Support ACA through Shop ’n’ Give programs!
Last year, your qualified purchases with our affiliated retailers through the Shop-n-Give Affinity Programs benefitted ACA last year in cash back and products valued at $11,300! Some of our participating partners are Ingles, Lands’ End, Harris Teeter, and Box Tops.
Athletics & Fine Arts
Upcoming Home Basketball & Local Swim Dates
Mark your calendars and come cheer on our teams!
Monday, December 1
Home vs. Asheville Trailblazers
MS Girls Basketball - 5:30 PM
MS Boys Basketball - 6:30 PM
Friday, December 5
Home vs. Gaston Christian
JV Men’s Basketball - 4:30 PM
V Women’s Basketball - 5:30 PM
V Men’s Basketball - 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 6
@ Buncombe County Aquatic Center
Varsity Men’s & Women’s Swimming – 3:00 PM
Basketball Season Passes Available!
Passes include admission to all Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity home regular-season basketball games.
Cost: $50 per person
Where to Purchase: Available at the admission gate or in the Athletic Office
Enjoy free admission for basketball players’ parents and ACA students at all home games!
Join us for an exciting season of Lion basketball!
In Case You Missed It
National English Honor Society
We celebrate the induction of 65 students into the McIntosh Chapter of the National English Honor Society. These students have earned this honor through high achievement in English and a commitment to language and learning. The National English Honor Society recognizes academic excellence, fosters a love for literature, and calls members to serve their communities by promoting literacy. Congratulations to our newest inductees on this well-deserved accomplishment.
Habitat for Humanity Student Build Update:
Our student build is making great progress. Every exterior wall is up, and on our last trip we were just shy of finishing the front porch. Next up is framing the interior walls.
Host an International Student
Did you know that ACA has an International Student Program? At Asheville Christian Academy, we are committed to fostering a diverse community that values cultural exchange and understanding. Through our International Homestay Program, we welcome students from around the world to be part of our school family.
Would you consider hosting an international student next school year?
As a host family, you’ll receive a $1,000 monthly stipend to help offset costs. Even more importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to provide a warm, loving, and nurturing home for a student far from their own family. Hosting is more than just cultural exchange—it’s a chance to build lifelong connections and friendships while reflecting Christ’s love and compassion.
What’s it like to host? Hear firsthand from three ACA host families here!
For more information about the International Student Program, please contact Deborah Stuart.
Thank you for prayerfully considering this meaningful opportunity!
Guidance News
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College Rep Visits at ACA
Take advantage of learning more about a variety of colleges when they come to us! Visit with the college representatives to find out what makes their schools special.
The United States Air Force Academy, Mon, Dec. 8, Student Union during Lunch
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Dual Enrollment
Registration is now open for students enrolled in dual credit classes with Colorado Christian University.
If you received an email from Mrs. Boer with instructions on how to sign up, please follow those directions if you are interested. Feel free to reach out to her directly with any questions.
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Calling All Student Leaders!
Applications are now open for the 8th Annual Lands’ End School Starboard Scholarship for the 2025–2026 school year. Since 2018, Lands’ End has awarded 39 scholarships totaling $265,000 to students who demonstrate exceptional leadership.
This year, up to five $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to eligible Preferred School students in grades 8–12.
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Federal Student Aid
Seniors: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is OPEN!
Completing this form is the way that colleges review what financial aid they can provide for students. We highly recommend that you take the few minutes required to complete this form, even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for need-based aid. Some schools require this process before providing even merit-based aid. Your Guidance Office is happy to help.
