BETWEEN the LIONS
March 4, 2026
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Dear ACA Families,
This week marks one of the most unique and meaningful experiences in the life of our Upper School students: Winterim. At Asheville Christian Academy, Winterim is designed to extend learning beyond the four walls of the classroom. It provides opportunities for students to grow in Christlike character, explore vocational interests, serve others, and engage in hands-on learning that simply cannot be replicated within a traditional academic schedule.
For some students, this includes international travel where they participate in immersive service and educational experiences while encountering different cultures and perspectives. These trips are carefully led by our faculty and staff who walk closely alongside our students—guiding, teaching, supervising, and shepherding them every step of the way. Caring for students away from home for more than a week is a significant responsibility, and we are deeply grateful for the faculty and staff who faithfully serve in this way.
Closer to home, many of our Upper School students are participating in thoughtfully designed Winterim courses, internships, service initiatives, and experiential learning opportunities. Throughout the week, faculty mentor students through vocational shadowing, creative intensives, hands-on projects, and community engagement. These experiences help students begin to see how God has uniquely gifted them and how those gifts might be used in service to Him.
Winterim reflects who we are as a school. Our mission is to serve Jesus Christ and uphold His pre-eminence, partnering with Christian parents to shepherd and inspire Christ-oriented lives. Winterim is one of the many ways we live out that mission—forming students not only through academic instruction, but also through service, leadership, exploration, and real-world engagement.
As our students and faculty participate this week, I would ask our entire community to join us in prayer:
Pray for safe travel and protection for those serving and learning abroad.
Pray for wisdom, endurance, and discernment for the faculty and staff leading these experiences.
Pray for meaningful relationships and genuine spiritual growth in the hearts of our students.
Pray for clarity of calling as students explore internships and vocational pathways.
Pray that Christ would be honored in every conversation, classroom, airport, work site, and act of service.
We are grateful for the faculty and staff who invest deeply in our students during this time and for the families who support this important part of the Upper School experience.
Winterim is more than a week on the calendar. It is part of how we shape young men and women who will follow Christ, engage the world thoughtfully, and steward the gifts God has given them.
Together in Christ, Jesus.
Dr. Jason Putnam
Head of School
Recovery Updates
We’re excited to share several encouraging updates as recovery work continues across campus.
Tennis: Our tennis courts will be fully finished and completed over Spring Break. We are grateful for the progress being made and look forward to seeing our student-athletes back on the completed courts soon.
Soccer: This week we are welcoming our soccer teams home for practice, and we are incredibly thankful that they are able to use our fields again. It’s a meaningful step forward as our programs return to familiar spaces.
Baseball: Join us on March 16 at 4:30 PM as our Varsity Baseball team hosts Enka High School. This will be their first home game since the flood, and we would love for our community to come out and celebrate this milestone together.
We remain grateful for the patience, support, and encouragement from our school community as we move forward towards a fully restored campus.
This month, our Character Education focus is on Self-Control and Gentleness, with an emphasis on Honesty and Integrity. Jesus valued honesty and integrity, teaching that a life aligned with truth and goodness reflects His character. Throughout His ministry, Jesus consistently spoke the truth, even when it was difficult, demonstrating that honesty is not only right but loving. He showed that truth should always be used to build others up and to honor God.
Jesus modeled perfect self-control and gentleness in the way He interacted with others. Even when faced with opposition, misunderstanding, and injustice, He responded with calm strength and unwavering integrity. His example teaches students that self-control is choosing what is right over what is easy, and gentleness is strength guided by love. Honesty and integrity require both, disciplining our words and actions so they reflect Christ.
It is important to teach students that honesty and integrity are the foundation for strong relationships and mutual respect. When students learn to be truthful, trustworthy, and fair in all things, they reflect Christ in their daily lives. Acting justly and honorably builds trust and creates a community marked by kindness and accountability. Scripture reminds us of this truth in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
As we focus on self-control and gentleness this month, may we encourage students to be truthful and trustworthy in all things, allowing their words and actions to reflect Christ’s character in every situation.
Character Education
Featured Events
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The ACA Podcast: First Episode Now Live
We’re excited to share that the first episode of The ACA Podcast: Stories Rooted in Faith is now live on Spotify. This new podcast will feature stories from our community that highlight how God is at work in the lives of ACA families, students, and staff.
In our first episode, host Deborah Stuart sits down with ACA’s Head of School, Dr. Jason Putnam, to talk about his journey into Christian education and the calling that led him to ACA. Dr. Putnam shares how his faith shapes his leadership, the vision for ACA’s future, and his heart for investing in the lives of our students.
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Spring Break Reminder
There will be a noon dismissal on Friday, March 6. The bus and shuttle will run as normal. Please note that there will be no aftercare that day.
There will be no school March 9-13 for Spring Break.
We hope everyone enjoys a fun and refreshing week!
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First Home Game Back on Outdoor Campus Facilities
Join us on March 16 as Varsity Baseball hosts Enka High School at 4:30 PM for our first home competition since the flood. Prior to the game, a special dedication ceremony will take place at 4:15 PM, highlighted by a ceremonial “first pitch.” We invite our community to come celebrate this meaningful moment and support our Lions as they return to play on campus.
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Invite a Friend to an Open House
One of the best ways for families to learn about Asheville Christian is to experience our campus in person. If you know a family exploring Christian education, we would love for you to invite them to one of our upcoming Open Houses.
Guests will tour campus, meet teachers and administrators, and learn more about our mission and admissions process.
Upcoming Open Houses:
Wednesday, March 18 | 9-11am
Tuesday, March 31 | 5-7pmThank you for helping us share Asheville Christian with others in our community.
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Parenting Together with Sean McDowell
Friday, March 27 | 6:00 PM
Join us for our next Parenting Together event featuring Dr. Sean McDowell — gifted communicator, bestselling author, and passionate advocate for equipping young people to confidently live out their faith.
Dr. McDowell connects with audiences through humor, engaging stories, and thoughtful, evidence-based insight. He is the author and co-author of numerous impactful books, including So the Next Generation Will Know, Chasing Love, and Evidence That Demands a Verdict (updated edition). His heart is to help families and students think biblically about every area of life and to confidently engage today’s culture with truth and grace.
This will be an encouraging and practical evening for parents as we seek to disciple and guide our children in a complex world.
Childcare RegistrationMeal sign up coming soon!
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Spring Uniform Sale
March 23rd, 25th, and 27th
7:25 - 8:30am & 2:45 - 3:30pm
All used uniforms 50% off ticketed price!
Stock up now for next season and next year.
If you have any questions, please contact thespiritstore@ashevillechristian.org.
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Save the Date: Mother Daughter Tea
All 3rd–5th grade girls and their mother, grandmother, or aunt are invited to join us on Saturday, March 28th from 1–3pm.
Cost is $15 per person.
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2026–2027 Parent Calendar Now Available
The 2026–2027 Parent Calendar is now ready! Families can begin planning for key dates including the Back to School Bash (August 17), the first day of school (August 19 – noon dismissal), holidays, parent nights, Winterim, Spring Break, and end-of-year events like Baccalaureate (May 28) and Graduation (May 29).
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The ACA Fund
We are grateful to share that, thanks to your generosity, we have raised $401,000 to date through gifts, pledges, and the matching fund contribution. This brings us to 99% of our $406,000 goal—just $5,000 away from completion.
If you are able, please consider making a gift or pledge to help us cross the finish line. All gifts must be received by June 30, 2026.
Thank you for your faithful support and continued commitment to ACA.
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Summer Camp Dates are Here
We’re excited to announce that our Summer Camp dates and times have officially been released! Mark your calendars and start making plans for an incredible summer. This is just a sneak peek. Full details and registration will be available soon. Stay tuned!
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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Track Access
We’re excited to share that our team has begun practicing on the new track! While this is an exciting milestone, the track is not yet open for ACA family use. Construction is still ongoing in the surrounding areas, and access remains limited for safety reasons. We look forward to sharing an official opening announcement once the project is fully complete.
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Dismissal Reminder
Parents, please remember that any changes to your child’s dismissal plan should be updated in SchoolPass. This helps us ensure a smooth and safe dismissal for all students.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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The Coffee Connection
The first Friday of every month 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, March 6 from 8-9:30 a.m.
Where: Meet at the Coffee Truck (if it is raining, bring your coffee to student union)
Who: All parents are invited
*Lower school parents may walk their children to class at the allowed time and then join us at the Coffee Truck.
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Worship Wednesday
We’re excited to introduce Worship Wednesday—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:
March 18, 2026
April 15, 2026
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Red Cross Blood Drive at ACA
Asheville Christian Academy will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on campus.
Students must be at least 16 years old to donate.
16- and 17-year-olds must have a signed parent consent form.
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code “ACA”, or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Helpful reminders for donors:
Bring a Red Cross donor card or photo ID
Eat iron-rich foods the week prior
Eat a healthy breakfast the day of the drive
Drink plenty of water
Thank you for helping save lives!
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Save the Date: Sports Physicals
Mark your calendars! Sports physicals for rising 6th–12th graders will be held May 13 after school.
The cost is $20 (cash or check only).
More details coming soon!
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.
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Daybreak with Dad
Date: Thursday, March 19th from 7 - 7:50am
Join us for Daybreak with Dad — a relaxed morning of fellowship and connection designed to start your day with purpose.
This special event is for dads and their children to enjoy together. If a dad isn’t available, a father figure is warmly welcome.
What to Expect:
Breakfast snacks, coffee, and water will be provided.
Enjoy time to interact with your child and other dads while discussing a Godly character trait of the day.
Opportunity to read in your child’s classroom from 8:00–8:10 AM after the main event. If you’re interested in reading to a class, please email Brian Fuchs at brian@windsweptmarketing.com to confirm your preferred class. Classes will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
AWESOME raffle prizes to make the morning even more fun!
Athletics & Fine Arts
Artsonia Gallery
Lower School art students have been busy creating beautiful artwork in the art room, with many projects inspired by our wintery weather!
Did you know parents can register to view their child’s artwork in our online gallery at Artsonia.com? Student work is photographed and securely displayed on the Artsonia website.
Parents, friends, and family can comment on artwork, start a fan club, and support our arts program by purchasing custom keepsakes featuring their favorite artist’s creations.
If you haven’t registered yet as your child’s parent, visit Artsonia.com or email Mrs. Patete for assistance.
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Amelia Hubbard
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Charlotte Brandshaw
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Cora Sutton
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James Becker
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Josie Cullen
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Kate Gajewski
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Nathaniel Major
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Riggins O'Brien
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Wilkes Aycock
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Rutledge Coleman
Calling All Performers!
We are excited to announce our annual Gong Show, hosted by ACA’s chapters of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and the ITS Theatre Honor Society! The show will take place at ACA on Saturday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m. This beloved event is always a fun and satirical evening, and we especially love seeing the wide range of ACA student talents—and non-talents!—on display.
Students in grades 6–12 who are interested in performing are invited to apply by completing the form linked below. The deadline to apply is Friday, March 27th. Performance slots are limited, so don’t wait!
We also encourage families to come enjoy the show and cheer on our performers! Admission is $3 per person. There will be grand prizes, door prizes, and concession snacks available for purchase. Join us for a fun night hosted by student MCs and mystery faculty judges, all in support of our Music and Theatre Honor Societies!
Spring Sports Information
For sport-specific questions, please contact the directors below:
Baseball: chris.zaccaro@ashevillechristian.org
Girls Soccer: terry.hughes@ashevillechristian.org
Boys & Girls Track and Field: terrance.mcknight@ashevillechristian.org
Boys Golf: michael.hicks@ashevillechristian.org
Boys Tennis: brownprop2@gmail.com
ACA Athletic History
Interested in ACA athletic history? Help us continue building our athletics archive, now displayed on the touchscreen in the East Athletic Upper School hallway within the new trophy cases. We are seeking action photos of all athletes, past and present, as well as team and championship photos. Some of this content was lost in the flood, and your help is greatly appreciated.
Have questions or materials to share? Please contact Joe Johnson, Director of Athletics, at joe.johnson@ashevillechristian.org.
In Case You Missed It
National Junior Honor Society
Forty-one students were inducted into the Timothy Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society. These students exemplify the ideals of scholarship, leadership, character, and service and pledge to uphold these principles through their membership.
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
ETSU – Thursday, Mar. 26, lunchtime in Student Union
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College Counseling Updates
Pay attention to any emails you receive from your Guidance Office or the colleges where you are applying.
Update your application outcomes in Scoir.
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Upper School Advising & Course Planning Updates
Grades 8–11
Upper School course request forms will be released February 2. Advising meetings will take place between February 9–April 17. Juniors are required to attend with a parent.Students A–J will meet with Mrs. Bullock
Students K–Z will meet with Mrs. Boer
Calendar links will be sent via email.Rising Freshmen (Current 8th Grade Students & Parents)
Save the date for our Rising Freshmen Advising Meeting:
Monday, February 9 at 7:00 PM
A meeting link will be emailed, and the session will be recorded for those unable to attend live.
SAVE THE DATE: Asheville independent Schools College Fair, Asheville School, Monday, February 23, 6-8pm -
Testing & Advising Updates
Testing: Juniors will take the ACT at ACA on March 19. Prep resources can be found at ACT and SAT.
Advising: Juniors and a parent are prioritized through mandatory advising meetings. A-J meet with Mrs. Bullock, K-Z meet with Mrs. Boer. Advising runs Feb. 9 – April 17. Calendar links will be sent via email.
