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French Broad River Academy's mission is to build character and integrity for a lifetime of learning, service, and leadership.

OVERVIEW

French Broad River Academy is an independent middle school (grades 6-8) with dual riverfront programs for boys and girls. We integrate rigorous academics with outdoor adventure, service projects, and international travel to help our students become confident, compassionate leaders, ready to take on the world.

Why French Broad River Academy?

The result of the FBRA experience is young people who are mature, confident, respectful, grounded, and upstanding, who are comfortable speaking in public, at ease in leadership positions, and happy working independently or with others. Involved in their communities, FBRA students display integrity and awareness, and become ready not just to succeed in the world, but poised to actively, positively contribute to it.

blue ridge outdoors french broad river academy

PRESS

French Broad River Academy has recently been recognized by Blue Ridge Outdoors as one of just five leading outdoor education programs in the South:

 

"Situated on the banks of its namesake, FBRA provides students with an educational experience that is both academically rigorous and outdoor-centric. Students may study the science of water quality and then go whitewater rafting. Or, they may investigate friction and then spend a day snowboarding. Or, they may read Plato’s allegory of the cave and then, well, go explore a cave.”

WHY OTHERS LOVE FBRA

Overall a great learning experience, beneficial for the body, mind, and character. The amazing faculty helped me learn the importance of being an empowered, competent, and confident young woman. Through all of the learning experiences I developed a real understanding of determination, grit, and self value. We were pushed out of our comfort zones in and out of the classroom everyday, to build our inner character and values.

-FBRA Alumna

The community and culture inside of FBRA is like no other. Anywhere you turn there will always be support and guidance. Overall a great experience that transformed me and all my peers into our full self potential, ready to embrace the pursuit of excellence.

– FBRA Alumna

It's extremely difficult to put into words how FBRA challenged and developed our son throughout middle school. The academics stretched his thinking, their focus on communication and organization set him on a successful path for schooling and now his career. The physical outdoor opportunities, which are part of the education philosophy, developed confidence, team working skills and problem solving… Amazing school and a turning point in our sons development

 

– FBRA Current Parent

I am going into 7th Grade at French Broad River Academy for Girls. I have overall enjoyed being part of the sisterhood and what we have been through together. It teaches the students a lot about life skills whether it is in the classroom or on the river. Coming from a family that loves the outdoors, so far this has been a perfect fit. The academics are spectacular. The teachers here don't just teach us academics, but they're also mentors in life. I'm glad I go here!

 

– FBRA Current Student

I've been connected to FBRA for almost ten years! It's an amazing school with dedicated teachers, supportive families, and students who really want to be there. Preparing students for academic excellence is only the first step, as they also learn to be self-reliant, capable young people. FBRA students have more life skills, self-control, and discipline than many of the college students I have taught. If you hope for your child to get dirt under their fingernails and a passion for learning in their heart, this is the school for your family.

 

– Current Staff Member

We can already see [our son] holding himself more accountable for his work, helping others more and continuing to grow in his ability to have a positive attitude and perseverance for more challenging things.  We believe this is a direct result from the values the FBRA program is built on, the academic rigor and the outdoor experiences you provide.

– Current FBRA Parent

I can see the enormous benefits of attending FBRA through my FBRA graduate now at Asheville High School and am so grateful that his younger brother can get the same kind of experience. Attending FBRA changes one's mindset to see the world through infinite opportunities and to not be scared to give it a go.

– Current FBRA Parent

ACCREDITATION

Accredited by the Association of Experiential Education since 2013. Accreditation by the AEE means that FBRA meets the highest standards for safety, risk management, instructor training, and programming in the field of outdoor adventure education.

french broad river academy association for experiential education