News Summary
Asheville Academy in Weaverville, North Carolina, will close on May 31, following public scrutiny over two student suicides and a state investigation. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services found multiple violations of health safety standards, prompting the suspension of admissions. Despite the closure, the facility’s license remains under review as investigations continue, raising concerns about mental health care within therapeutic settings for vulnerable youth. The tragic events have alarmed the community, leading to calls for improved oversight of such programs.
Weaverville, North Carolina – Asheville Academy, a therapeutic school located in Weaverville, North Carolina, has announced its voluntary closure effective May 31, 2025, following public scrutiny and two tragic student suicides within a month. The school is now under investigation by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), which found conditions at the facility to be detrimental to the health and safety of its clients.
The first suicide occurred on May 3, 2025, involving a 13-year-old girl, while the second took place on May 29, 2025, involving a 12-year-old girl. Both incidents have raised alarms regarding the mental health services provided at Asheville Academy, prompting investigations by various local agencies. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office is also involved following both incidents.
In light of the first suicide, the NCDHHS initiated an investigation on May 8, 2025. The investigation revealed multiple violations of mental health service licensing rules, leading to a suspension of all new admissions to the academy on May 27, 2025. As of May 31, 2025, just as the school closed its doors, all clients, which included 27 girls enrolled out of a possible 90, had been discharged. Furthermore, all staff members were terminated on the same date.
As of June 2, 2025, although all children had been removed from the academy, the facility’s license remained intact pending the results of the ongoing investigation. The NCDHHS has yet to release further details regarding the specific conditions that contributed to the school’s closure, stating that information will be made available as investigations continue.
Managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, Asheville Academy faced scrutiny previously when Trails Carolina, another program under the same management, was shut down following the death of a 12-year-old boy in 2024. The closure of Asheville Academy highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety and effectiveness of therapeutic programs for youth.
Asheville Academy has deactivated its Instagram and Facebook pages, while its website remains accessible for now. A spokesperson for the academy expressed deep sorrow regarding the recent tragedies but declined to provide further comments due to the ongoing investigations.
Following these incidents, both the Buncombe County Department of Social Services and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office are actively working to understand the circumstances surrounding the two student suicides and overall conditions at the academy. The combination of these tragic events and the NCDHHS findings have cast a spotlight on the oversight and regulation of therapeutic schools across the state, raising questions about mental health care for vulnerable students.
The community is left grappling with the impacts of these developments while the investigation unfolds, as parents and guardians seek assurance regarding the safety and well-being of students within therapeutic environments.
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Additional Resources
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- WLOS News
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- Wikipedia: Asheville Academy
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- Google News: Asheville Academy suicide
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.
