News Summary
Asheville Academy in Weaverville, North Carolina, will close voluntarily after two student suicides within a month. State investigations revealed serious violations of mental health service licensing. The academy, which had significant enrollment capacity but only 27 students at the time, faces scrutiny over its management practices. Following the tragic events, the school has suspended new admissions and deactivated its social media accounts. Authorities are committed to investigating the incidents to improve safety protocols for vulnerable youth in similar institutions.
Weaverville, North Carolina – Asheville Academy, a therapeutic school located in Weaverville, has announced its voluntary closure effective May 31, 2025, following the tragic suicides of two students within a month. The decision to shut down the facility comes amid heightened scrutiny from state authorities after a 13-year-old girl took her life on May 3, followed by another tragic incident involving a 12-year-old girl on May 29.
In the wake of these events, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) mandated a suspension of new admissions to Asheville Academy on May 27, before the eventual closure. The NCDHHS had already initiated an investigation into the academy on May 8, following the first suicide incident, uncovering serious violations of mental health service licensing rules. These violations pointed to detrimental conditions for the students enrolled in the program.
By the closure date, all students had been discharged from Asheville Academy, which previously had the capacity to accommodate up to 90 students, with only 27 girls enrolled at the time of closure. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the two suicide incidents and expressed condolences to the affected families.
In response to the tragic events and ensuing investigation, Asheville Academy has deactivated its Instagram and Facebook accounts, although its website remained active as of June 3, 2025. The school has expressed heartache over the loss of their students and has refrained from providing further comments as investigations continue.
The investigation by NCDHHS revealed alarming conditions within the facility, leading to concerns about the overall safety and well-being of the students. Despite these findings, Asheville Academy’s license has not been suspended, prompting questions regarding regulatory actions in the face of these serious issues.
Asheville Academy was managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, a firm previously associated with the now-closed Trails Carolina program, which faced sanctions following the death of a 12-year-old boy in February 2024. This history raises additional concerns about the management practices at facilities meant to support vulnerable youth.
In light of these incidents, the NCDHHS has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of children at facilities like Asheville Academy. The department is working closely with local agencies, including the Buncombe County Department of Social Services and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, to conduct a comprehensive investigation surrounding the circumstances of the two student suicides.
The closure of Asheville Academy marks a challenging and heart-wrenching period for the community. Authorities encourage transparency and cooperation as the investigation progresses, hoping to derive insights that could enhance the safety protocols and practices within similar institutions in the future.
The tragic occurrences at Asheville Academy serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for scrutiny and oversight in mental health facilities that serve vulnerable populations. As the investigations unfold, the focus remains on understanding the circumstances that led to these heartbreaking losses and ensuring that necessary reforms are implemented to protect the well-being of students in similar environments.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Asheville Academy Closes After Student Suicides
Asheville Academy Closes Following Student Suicides
Beloved Asheville Community Member Passes Away
UNC Asheville Baseball Team Faces Tough Loss to Charleston Southern
Local Man Arrested for Firing Gun in Asheville
Asheville Academy Closes Following Tragic Student Suicides
Closure of Asheville Academy Following Tragic Suicides
Investigation Launched Following Tragic Suicides at Asheville Academy
Asheville on the Road to Recovery After Hurricane Helene
Investigation Launched into Asheville Academy After Suicides
Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville Academy Closing Doors
- AP News: Therapy School Closes
- ABC News 4: Second Suicide at Asheville Academy
- Google Search: Asheville Academy Suicide Investigation
- Wikipedia: Mental Health Services in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
