In the classroom, on the athletic fields and within our special community of families, Carolina Day School fully engages your smart, curious child.
With a passion for learning and teaching, nationally trained in top developmental research and brain-based instruction, our exceptional faculty radiates an inspirational blend of compassion and high standards.
It's simple: bright, bold, curious, well-trained teachers and coaches lead by example and bring out the best in your child.
We are Asheville's only co-ed, independent day school for grades PreK3 through 12, and our Key School is a national leader in transforming students with language-based learning differences into high achievers and confident, capable learners.
Discover what lies in store for your child at Carolina Day School in Asheville, North Carolina.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Top Ranked NC School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 583 students
- Yearly Tuition: $26,950
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Nov. 15 / Feb. 15 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Carolina Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for:
Category
Attribute
Acceptance Rate
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Language-Based - Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia
Year Founded
1987
Colors
Blue, Red
School Calendar
First Day of School
Fri. Aug 15, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026
Campus Size
50
Student Body
Total Students
583 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
12%
State avg.: 23%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
80 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
7:1
National avg.: 13:1
Average Class Size
15 students
Number of AP Courses
15 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
AP Art History (two sections), AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP European History (two sections), AP French, AP Physics, AP Psychology, AP Spanish, AP Statistics, AP US History (four sections), Honors American Literature (semester course), Honors Competitive Speech and Debate (semester or year course), Honors French 4, Honors Journalism, Honors Macroeconomics (semester course), Honors Math 3, Honors Microeconomics (semester course), Honors Philosophy (semester course), Honors Pre-Calculus, Honors Spanish 4, Honors Studio Art
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Standard Code of Dress
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Nov. 15 / Feb. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$26,950
Tuition Notes
As parents, we have both the pleasure and the primary responsibility for finding the best educational experience for our children. Carolina Day School offers tuition assistance to help qualified families meet this responsibility.
% on Financial Aid
33%
Acceptance Rate
25%
National avg.: 81%
Admissions Director
Meredith Daniels
Admissions Associate
Cara Bledsoe
Sports
Total Sports Offered
14 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
3 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Student-led Clubs
Arts and Music Programs:
Ensemble, Theater
School Notes
- School Motto: ‘Truth and Honor’
- School Mascot: Willy The Wildcat
- Our Vision of Education
- Carolina Day School is a leader in educational innovation and a model of excellence for western North Carolina and beyond.Our creative and reflective educators craft a cohesive curriculum in a supportive environment where inquiry, discovery, and learning can take place.
- Inquiry-based Learning
- Building and giving meaning to strong foundational skills is essential and is just the starting point at Carolina Day. Students actively engage in real-world problem solving, project-based learning, service learning, and design thinking projects and activities, which allow them to practice, apply, build, and transfer these important skills in meaningful ways.Our students benefit tremendously from our special blend of teaching methods, curriculum, community, and culture. The CDS faculty practice their craft as artisans of the classroom, mixing their professional experience with research and wisdom to teach each child. There is a shared expectation between students and teachers that everyonewill push themselves in many ways to stretch and grow - intellectually, socially, emotionally - and teachers will provide the support necessary to help students face challenges head-on and learn to persevere with confidence. The craft of teaching takes grit, resolve, creativity, patience, and problem-solving. It`s an ever-evolving process of combining the best ingredients for the most successful outcomes.Our families tell us that they value their investment in a Carolina Day education because of our unique combination of highly qualified teachers, innovative curriculum, and our compassionate, friendly community. Simply put, Carolina Day children, adolescents, and young adults alike enjoy coming to school; they think hard, play hard, and celebrate their group successes and personal bests with gusto. Creating a community of well-rounded, engaged, and happy students is our vision and our passion.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Carolina Day School cost?
Carolina Day School's tuition is approximately $26,950 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Carolina Day School?
The acceptance rate of Carolina Day School is 25%, which is lower than the national average of 80%. Carolina Day School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in North Carolina with low acceptance rates.
What sports does Carolina Day School offer?
Carolina Day School offers 14 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Weightlifting. Carolina Day School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for most sports offered.
What is Carolina Day School's ranking?
Carolina Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in North Carolina for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered and Most sports offered.
When is the application deadline for Carolina Day School?
The application deadline for Carolina Day School is Nov. 15 / Feb. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Nov. 15 / Feb. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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People that viewed Carolina Day School also viewed these schools: Rainbow Community School, Blue Ridge Montessori School, Cary Academy, Asheville Waldorf School and 1 School Rd.
The nearest high school and elementary school to Carolina Day School is Glory Tabernacle Academy (1.2 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Nativity Preschool & Kindergarten (3.2 miles away)
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Miles
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School Reviews
5 1/2/2020
The athletics at Carolina Day are very disappointing. The middle school boys' basketball team has 25 boys on the roster. It is mid-December and several of the boys are now being shuffled to a YMCA platform. The JV girls' basketball team, which has several seniors on it, is losing by scores of 85-17. They limit middle school offerings; they do not offer tennis for middle school, and the soccer team did not have enough kids to form a team. My child is lost in the shuffle. A school that is charging college tuition prices should provide a well-rounded experience, which should include competitive academics and athletics.
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