FBRA Blog
A Year of Growth, Resilience, & Great Memories By Will Yeiser, Executive Director & Co-Founder As we wrap up this outstanding 24-25 school year, we pause to reflect on the challenges we’ve overcome and the triumphs we’ve celebrated — moments that have made this year truly unforgettable. The resilience and growth of our community reached […]
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By Alex Black, Boys Program Dean of Students We’re sitting, two teachers and twelve 7th graders, in a circle just a few steps off of the trail we’ve been hiking on. One student, who has been chosen by his peers to be today’s “Speaker Keeper,” looks around at the class and asks if anyone has […]
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By Tricia Chan, Girls Program Director “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” Eleanor Roosevelt Twice each year after a fall of paddling and a winter of skiing, we shift into what we lovingly call “Place-Based Learning Season.” This is when our field lessons get even […]
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FBRA Rocks the Tropics at the Spring 7th/8th Dance Well, that was fun! Seventh- and eighth-grade Salamanders came together this past Friday night for their annual co-ed dance. Decked out in colorful Hawaiian shirts and shorts, floral leis, and shades, the students played games, shared snacks, hung out, and hit the dance floor. Thanks to […]
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By Felix Dowsley, Boys Program Director I’m writing on behalf of Will Yeiser, Tricia Chan, and our staff to celebrate our triumphant return to paddling this week. I want to especially thank Nora Randolph and David Clarke for their tireless planning and strategizing to get us back out there safely. We are also grateful to […]
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At French Broad River Academy, every student travels to Costa Rica each of the three years they are at the middle school for this incredible immersion experience. Each year’s trip builds on the prior one and is in a different area of the country. Year in and year out, the Costa Rica trip is what […]
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By Leanne Chapman, Boys Program Staff Leanne Chapman relays the story of growth and renewal while rock climbing in Potrero Chico this past winter. “You’ve got this Leanne!” I heard, along with, “C’mon, try to get to the next clip!” My hands were sweating, and my heart was pounding as I was analyzing my next […]
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By Stiles Rockey, FBRA Girls Dean of Students At French Broad River Academy, advisory groups play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and connection among middle school students. These groups, which bring together students from various grade levels, provide a unique opportunity for cross-grade connections that help build strong relationships throughout the […]
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The story of the beautiful new river mural at FBRA’s South Campus began last September. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, the need for quick, organized relief was urgent. As communities in Western North Carolina scrambled to rebuild, two organizations quickly stepped in to make a difference: the French Broad River Academy (FBRA) […]
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Why go on overnight trips in the middle of winter? FBRA winter overnights help our students get comfortable in all kinds of outdoor conditions, develop stronger relationships with classmates and teachers, and build skills in the outdoors. 6th graders spend a night in Worley’s Cave in East Tennessee, 7th graders camp and explore Congaree National […]
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