The Reason Our Staff Paddle By Will Yeiser, Executive Director and Co-Founder One of the many concepts that influenced the creation of the French Broad River Academy (FBRA) came from legendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Inc. Yvon Chouinard. In his book “Let My People Go Surfing,” he outlines his business approach of […]
Let My People Go Paddling Read More »
Step outside of Asheville With These Five Family-Friendly SUmmer Outdoor Destinations We all know that Asheville is a mecca for outdoor adventure. It’s easy to pack up the gear and be in the woods in no time. However, if you’re seeking some fresh territory, then check out these five family-friendly summer outdoor spots just an
FBRA’s Top Five Family- Friendly Summer Outdoor Spots Read More »
By Lexi Chaize, Boys Program Science Teacher Experiential learning has been a cornerstone of the FBRA curriculum since we opened our doors in 2009. The 7th Grade Science Fair is one of the many ways we encourage our students to be creative, think independently, and actively engage with concepts, materials, and environments in order to
Igniting Curiosity at the 2024 Science Fair Read More »
As most of our community knows, music is a key component in our instruction at FBRA, and musical moments abound! All of our students learn to play an instrument and perform with their bands at school assemblies and in concerts on campus or at the Orange Peel. Frazier Worth, retired Boys Program teacher and now
Musical Moment with Mr. Worth & Dalton Howes Read More »
By Katherine Saul, Girls Program Academic Director Imagine the scene: you’re walking your dog in Montford Park on a sunny November day, and you come across a group of 25 neon-clad adolescents, engaged in enthusiastic swordplay and rambunctious stage fighting led by professional actors and directors on the Montford Players’ stage. They cluster in groups
FBRA Seminars: Engaging Students & Empowering Minds Read More »
By Will Yeiser, Executive Director & Co-Founder From the day I started teaching middle school in 2002, I knew I had to create an international travel and immersion experience in a Spanish-speaking country that went beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. Most people wait until high school or college for some type of study
“This Ain’t no Teen Tour… The Evolution of the FBRA International Field EXPERIENCE Read More »
By Stiles Rader and Sam Iatarola, FBRA Heads of Community Engagement Service learning is an integral part of our mission at French Broad River Academy. We intentionally build opportunities into our weekly field lessons to fulfill our mission of building character and integrity for a lifetime of learning, service, and leadership. We independently clean waterways
Service Learning At FBRA Read More »
I’ve had a fascination with traveling for as long as I can remember. Going to Costa Rica with FBRA is most likely what started it though. I met new people each year and lived with different families, which gave me a chance to see their different ways of living. FBRA pushed me out of my comfort zone for the three years that I attended. Many of my teachers repeated the phrase, “You can do hard things,” and although it was repetitive then, I still repeat it sometimes. Because of the time I spent with host families in Costa Rica, I wasn’t nervous about living with a Finnish host family.
From The Field – Anna Kate in Finland Read More »
By Will Yeiser, Executive Director & Co-Founder This year the French Broad River Academy (FBRA) celebrates its fifteenth year of building character and integrity for a lifetime of learning, service, and leadership. FBRA at 15 has served over 1,100 students and families since we opened our doors in 2009. Whether we are in the classroom,
“So much of who we are is described by the choices we make. More than anything, I am proud that we chose to show up and give our best effort to what ended up being simultaneously one of the most challenging and most joyful things that either of us has ever done.“ Nora Randolph, FBRA
Nora Randolph on the JMT Read More »