our Programs
The Asheville City Schools Foundation is doing “whatever it takes for all ACS students to thrive,” which means that our foundation operates as both a funder and as a provider of K-12 programming. Our programs are grounded in a pursuit of equity and the desire to magnify the genius, encourage the curiosity, celebrate the joy, and support the aspirations of our students, teachers and staff.
Each of our programs has evolved out of collaborations and listening projects rooted throughout communities in Asheville. We provide youth and adult learners access to transformational educational experiences during the school day and beyond. We use results-based accountability methods and consistent surveying of students, staff, and families to measure the success of our programming.
In REal Life (IRL) After-school
In Real Life After-School provides high-quality, hands-on, equitable, and accessible programming for all Asheville City Schools middle school students. IRL strives to provide programming that reflects the diverse and varied needs of Asheville's youth while encouraging them to live a curious life.
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The DREAM Team
The DREAM (Dedicated. Responsible. Enthusiastic. After-School. Mentors) is a youth-centered, paid internship program for high school students to support the mission and programming of the Asheville City Schools Foundation including mentoring middle school students enrolled In Real Life (IRL) After-School program.
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TAPAS (Teaching Artists Presenting in Asheville Schools)
TAPAS is an arts-integration program that implements high quality artist residencies to create craft and performance experiences across all curriculum. Since 2010, TAPAS has impacted more than 10,000 students, trained over 57 artists, and provided more than 925 days of artists in residence.
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Racial Equity Ambassador Program (REAP)
In 2020, in collaboration with Asheville City Schools and The Equity Collaborative, ACSF launched an innovative new program called the Racial Equity Ambassadors at the city high schools. REAP is comprised of diverse student leaders from Asheville High School and SILSA who engage and educate our ACS teachers on culturally responsive strategies for the classroom.
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Grants and Scholarships For Educators
Our Grants to Educators program provides resources and funds to ensure Asheville supports and retains excellent teachers and staff. Our grants fund innovative projects and inspire creativity in the classroom. Since 2000, over $1.9 million has been awarded to educator-led projects.
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College Scholarships
We provide over $210,000 in new and renewing scholarships each year to support Asheville City Schools students as they continue to excel after graduation. Since 2000, over $3.2 million has been awarded to Asheville High and SILSA graduates.
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Black Educator Excellence
The Black Educator Excellence (BEE) program includes tuition for current ACS faculty and staff to complete their degrees, cohort meeting expenses, book stipends, and graduation expenses. The Black Educator Excellence cohort began in the fall of 2021 and is part of a larger ACS commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive culture for BIPOC staff.
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Community Engagement
We commit to engaging in community conversations and educational events in support of our public schools. We form cross-sector partnerships to address barriers to opportunities and access, such as the Broadband Community Connectivity Initiative.
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Emergency Assistance
ACSF provides emergency assistance funding to ACS families through our school social workers to ensure that they have access to critical resources. Emergency Assistance also supports the ACS Resource Center and our partnership with MANNA FoodBank.
The Asheville City Schools Foundation coordinates the official Alumni Center for ACS. The Alumni Center functions as an interactive hub connecting our alumni to their alma mater and provides connections between intergenerational ACS classes.
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For questions or for more information, please contact:
James Carter
Director of Development and Alumni Relations
james.carter@acsgmail.net
(828) 348 - 6566