News Summary
Asheville Academy, a therapeutic school in Weaverville, North Carolina, has shut down following two student suicides within a month. The closure was announced recently, discharging all students amid investigations revealing serious violations in mental health services. The academy, previously scrutinized for its operational standards, emphasized the importance of respecting ongoing investigations while expressing condolences. This tragic event has raised urgent concerns about safety and care in adolescent therapeutic institutions.
Asheville, North Carolina – Asheville Academy Closes Following Two Student Suicides
Asheville Academy, a therapeutic school located in Weaverville, North Carolina, has voluntarily ceased operations after two tragic student suicides within a month. The decision to close was announced on May 31, 2025, resulting in the release of all 27 students of the facility that had the capacity to accommodate up to 90.
The academy had come under scrutiny following a suicide incident on May 3, 2025, involving a 13-year-old girl. This prompted the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to initiate an investigation on May 8, 2025. A second suicide occurred shortly before the closure, on May 29, 2025, involving a 12-year-old girl.
In light of the investigations, the NCDHHS uncovered several violations related to mental health service licensing rules, leading to an order suspending any future admissions to Asheville Academy effective May 27, 2025. Inspectors conducted on-site visits to assess the conditions of the facility and collaborated with local law enforcement and social services regarding the findings of their investigation.
In their report, the NCDHHS revealed that conditions at Asheville Academy were detrimental to the well-being of its clients, raising serious concerns about the operational standards and care provided by the facility. Consequently, all students have been discharged, and the institution’s social media pages have been deactivated, although its website remained operational as of June 3, 2025.
Background Information
Asheville Academy was previously managed by Wilderness Training & Consulting, LLC, the same organization responsible for Trails Carolina, another program that was shut down following the death of a 12-year-old boy just days after admission in February 2024. This history of concerning events has intensified public scrutiny and concern regarding the management of these therapeutic facilities.
The academy expressed profound condolences for the losses of the young lives and emphasized the importance of respecting the ongoing investigations. However, they refrained from providing any additional comments regarding the incidents or the closure.
Family Help & Wellness, based in Oregon, owns both Asheville Academy and Trails Carolina but has not publicly commented on the recent tragedies or the closure of the academy. As of the most recent updates, the NCDHHS confirmed that no children remain at Asheville Academy, although the facility’s license has not been revoked.
Conclusion
The closure of Asheville Academy highlights ongoing concerns regarding the standards of care and safety provided in therapeutic institutions for adolescents. With recent investigations and regulatory actions prompting significant changes in operations, the focus now shifts to ensuring the well-being of the affected individuals and preventing similar tragedies in the future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Closure of Asheville Academy Following Tragic Suicides
Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville Academy Closes Following Two Student Suicides
- ABC News: Residential Treatment School Closes After Deaths
- Spectrum Local News: Former Resident Shares Traumatic Stories
- WYFF4: Asheville Academy Suicides in May 2025
- WLOS: Asheville Academy Ordered to Suspend Admissions
