A residential treatment academy for girls located in the scenic mountains of North Carolina has permanently closed its facilities following an investigation by state authorities and the tragic suicides of two students.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Asheville Academy, which stated that over the past weekend, all students were released from the campus in Weaverville. The institution emphasized the difficulty in making the decision to close voluntarily.
This closure follows actions taken by North Carolina mental health officials, which included a directive that the academy could no longer accept new students. This restriction was put in place until Asheville Academy could demonstrate that its environment safeguarded the girls from potential harm, including abuse and neglect, and ensured proper supervision of its staff.
The directive from the state was issued as part of an investigation that commenced on May 8, shortly after the heartbreaking death of a 13-year-old student who died by suicide on May 3.
While the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services issued a letter to the school, it did not specify the exact nature of the issues discovered during the investigation, and subsequent findings have not been publicly disclosed.
A suspension order on accepting new students was handed down to Asheville Academy on May 27. Only two days after this, the devastating news of a second student’s suicide, this time a 12-year-old, was reported—marking a second loss within a month. Following this event, the academy opted to release all students from its care.
“We are deeply devastated by the passing of a young life and extend our heartfelt sympathies to the family and all who are grieving this loss. Due to considerations for those mourning, and the ongoing investigations, we are unable to comment further at this moment,” stated the academy in a release on Saturday.
According to the most recent state report available from March, Asheville Academy had a capacity of 90 students but was only housing 27 girls before the closure.
The owner of Asheville Academy had previously experienced a similar closure of a nature therapy program for boys in North Carolina, following the accidental death of a 12-year-old boy at another residential facility, Trails Carolina, located in Transylvania County, in early 2024.
Oregon-based Family Help & Wellness, which operates both schools in North Carolina, did not provide a statement on the recent developments as of Tuesday.
Please note that discussions of suicide require sensitivity. Support is available for anyone in crisis through the national suicide prevention lifeline by calling or texting 988. Additional resources are accessible via their online platform, 988lifeline.org.