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In 1900, the founding of Christ School made a huge impact on Asheville, North Carolina; a rural area with no public schools at the time. The clocks have turned, the times have changed, and today marks 125 years since they’ve grown scores of boys into educated men of outstanding character.
There are no limits to their passions. Artists, athletes, scientists, and more blossom within their student body of just over 300 boys from 17 US states and 11 countries, evolving into the best version of themselves as they graduate and enter the world as change-makers.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains where the golden sunrise meets green hilltops, Christ School is home to active and intelligent boys who seek their growth and identity through four foundational pillars: academic rigour, leadership, spirituality, and the dignity of manual labour. With great determination and the guidance of dedicated faculty and staff, the 2024 seniors garnered US$4.2 million in scholarships and university acceptances in 17 states — continuing the pattern of success in the school’s history.
For Hardy Johnson, Christ School left him with a “profound impact,” as he graduated and moved on to study at the University of Virginia this year.
“There are three ways that we students can live up to what I call ‘Greeniehood,'” Johnson says. “Firstly, when you want to quit, don’t. Secondly, ask for help when you need it. Thirdly, if you want to make a change, take initiative.”
Johnson embodies the go-getter mindset forged through a rigorous curriculum that spurs curiosity, challenge, and creativity. Learning at Christ School is tailored to the individual, with the ability to choose from 27 Advanced Placement (AP) and 31 honours classes to steer towards their academic or career aspirations. The effectiveness of their academics can be seen in how the school won the Platinum Distinction, the highest possible distinction from the AP Honour Roll, which awards AP programmes that deliver quality results. That puts them amongst the top 7% of schools across the US and Canada.
Christ School is a college preparatory boarding and day school for boys. Source: Christ School
Despite the awards, Christ School keeps the experience intimate.
Small class sizes allow each student to receive the attention they deserve and build positive camaraderie with their peers and teachers. This is what inspires growth: the ability to be heard and seen by the people around you. Students at Christ School learn to speak up, show empathy, solve problems, and test assumptions. Teachers match their enthusiasm to learn, and that’s what makes their learning fun.
“This small community gives me the feeling of being home,” says Kaiwen “Kevin” Xue. “It feels good to go study abroad where it is a new language, a new environment, and a new culture.”
Xue is a student from China, and even though he’s away from home, he faces the inherent challenges head-on with support from the school. It’s become the door to experiences he has never had before.
In fact, Christ School provides learning opportunities that are rare to find. For example, the Global Studies Programme selects a cohort of scholars to dive into an array of academic and extracurricular activities that set them up for success in a culturally complex world. They take required courses in history, a world language, literature, and science, experience the real world through travel and service work, and complete an independent research project or internship. The school provides the opportunity for educational trips abroad, like hiking the Himalayas, and visiting countries like Iceland and the Dominican Republic. They’ve had nationwide figures come to campus as speakers, too.
Another rarity, one of only three of its kind among US high schools is the Robert Morgan ’36 Aviation Programme, named after the alumnus and World War II veteran who flew the B-17F Memphis Belle. Students take ground and in-flight lessons in preparation for flying an aircraft, conducted in a safe and controlled environment of forested trails and whitewater rivers. It’s the gateway to a career as a licensed pilot, whether that’s commercial or military.
Christ School offers rare learning opportunities outside the classroom, including the chance to travel abroad for educational trips. Source: Christ School
The aviation programme is one of many outdoor activities at Christ School. Learning here goes far beyond just textbooks mimicking life and its many challenges. To instil crucial “life skills” in their students, the school runs plenty of student activities and clubs to socialise and develop passions and talents.
There’s another great advantage of living in a natural sphere of land, mountains, and rivers: it’s an excellent backdrop for sports. Students like Xue get to partake in activities they wouldn’t have access to otherwise, like mountain biking, kayaking, and golf. It livens the learning experience, especially through demanding school days. Christ School has 20 athletic teams across 11 competitive sports. There’s another special feature to their name: they’ve got one of only two Nike Elite athletic programmes in North Carolina.
“We encourage our international students to become active participants and take control of their education by offering a variety of opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities,” says Olga Mahoney, a history teacher whose son graduated from Christ School and is now attending Harvard University. “These offerings broaden their interests, improve their social skills, encourage creativity, and foment critical thinking skills.”
Apply to Christ School today to experience academic and personal growth that’ll prepare your child for stability and success in an ever-changing world.
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