The Academy of Asheville, Asheville

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Pricing & Availability

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Schedule A Tour

Meet with our staff and experience the school in person. Book a tour using our online scheduler.

Schedule a Tour

Pricing & Availability

Overview
Programs
Our Team
School Resources
Reviews

About The Academy of Asheville in Asheville, NC

Welcome to The Academy of Asheville, a preschool that has been serving children ages 2 to 5 for over 30 years. Our school is rooted in a play-based curriculum designed to inspire a lifelong love of learning. With a dedicated and experienced team—many of whom have been part of our community for years—we foster a secure, nurturing, and joyful environment where every child is encouraged to grow and thrive.

Our Programs

Preschool Program (Ages 2–5)
Our curriculum emphasizes both academic readiness and creative development. Daily activities include:

Reading, writing, and phonics
Math and science exploration
Art and music expression
Gardening and outdoor discovery

Multiple outdoor play periods throughout the day support physical well-being and social growth.

Nutrition and Wellness

Healthy nutrition is an integral part of our day. We provide a nutritious hot lunch and two snacks daily, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, organic milk, and juice. All food is prepared with care to support children’s health and development.

Safety and Security

The safety of every child is our top priority. Our school features electronic keypad access at all doors and gated playgrounds, as well as video-monitored classrooms. Bright, clean, and spacious learning environments ensure children feel secure and engaged throughout the day.

Getting To Our Preschool

Our Asheville center is located at 1709 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, situated along US-25A just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We are close to Estes Elementary School, Valley Springs Middle School, and the shopping options at Biltmore Park Town Square, making daily drop-offs and errands effortless.

With immediate access to US-25 and close proximity to I-26, our center offers an easy, direct commute for parents heading toward downtown Asheville, Fletcher, Arden, or the greater Hendersonville area.

Visit Us Today!

We’d love to meet you and show you what makes The Academy of Asheville so special. Come see our vibrant classrooms, meet our passionate teachers, and explore our engaging outdoor spaces. Contact us today to schedule a tour!

Programs Offered

Preschool

Pre-Kindergarten

Our Team

Bennie Manning

School Director

Bennie Manning began her journey in early childhood education in her teen years, shortly before she earned her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Community College. She has since held various teaching and leadership positions, from Assistant Teacher to Lead Teacher, Administration, and now Assistant Director. She loves early childhood education because every day brings moments of discovery, growth, and joy. Watching children learn new skills, build relationships, and gain confidence reminds her of the profound power of the early stages of development. Outside of school, she enjoys a wide variety of hobbies, from sourdough bread baking, to light furniture restoration, sewing, baking, and creating projects with her Cricut. She enjoys spending time with her three children as well.

Kailee Young

Teacher of the Year

Kailee Young has been working with children for the past five years and is passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of young learners. Her journey in early childhood education began in high school, where she completed an internship in her school’s preschool program while also gaining valuable experience through babysitting. These early opportunities helped confirm her love for working with children and inspired her to pursue a career in education.

Kailee believes that one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is building meaningful relationships with children and serving as a safe, supportive presence in their lives. She finds great joy in watching children grow academically, socially, and emotionally, and feels privileged to play a role in their development.

Currently, Kailee is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and plans to continue her studies by earning a master’s degree in the field. She strongly believes that every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn and succeed, regardless of their circumstances, and she is dedicated to creating an inclusive and nurturing environment where all children can thrive.

Education is truly Kailee’s passion, and she cannot imagine a career more meaningful than helping young children build the foundation for lifelong learning. Her enthusiasm, dedication, and love for teaching are evident in the care and support she provides to the children and families she serves each day.

School Resources

Proper nutrition is an important aspect of our program. Providing children with healthy, nourishing meals and snacks is very important to us. We carefully prepare and serve a very nutritious hot lunch, as well as two nutritious snacks. The kitchen is well stocked, clean and organized at all times. We include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, organic items, whole grains, lean meats. Each of these items are hand selected and purchased locally by the owner, just as you do for your own family. Vegetarian options are available. We strive to assist with special dietary needs, allergies and intolerances. As with all aspects of our program, we want meal time to be a positive, social time. Staff often sit at the table and eat with the children and assist as needed. This is also a popular time to promote good table manners, and to discuss proper nutrition. Children are encouraged to taste new foods and to eat as much as they wish.