Training leaders in public service since 1980. NASPAA Accredited program with 55-60 fantastic…read morestudents. Classes are in Asheville at Biltmore Park, are in the evenings, and largely in person. Excellent placement track record with a alumni network of over 400.

I am a 76 year old retired US Foreign Service Officer (Department of State). For the past several…read moreweeks I have joined three or four other men volunteering to help a male third grade teacher at Black Mountain Primary School teach chess to about 30 boys and girls.The teacher has done the same at another school. We begin after school each Monday at 2:40 p.m. and stay till about 3:30. I am told that the school has seven third grades and the children learning to play chess come from all seven classrooms. My first impressions of the school were very favorable and remain so. All the school children whom I have observed are very well behaved, notably un-noisy, as they march in lines to leave school. The interior of the one-storey building appears to be octogonal and is in itself a lesson in geography. The library is large and without walls. The cafeteria also is large and immaculately clean. The overall impression is: this school is spacious, uncramped, brightly lighted, friendly. I have seen children at the end of our chess sessions escorted by our third grade teacher sponsor to the back parking lot to be picked up by parents. If after ten minutes teachers do not appear, back he brings the boys and girls to a central area to wait for their parent(s). The children's safety is clearly a priority. The principal is much in evidence and seems a benevolent presence. The youngsters themselves learning the elements of chess are a joy to teach. They are eager, bright, full of questions. Bottom line: my eight grandchildren live either in South Carolina or Dallas. The former six are home-schooled, the latter attend a Catholic parochial school. My earlier similar adult experience with American public schools was in Detroit -- a war zone. I would feel my grandchildren safe and in good, caring hands if they attended Black Mountain Primary School. -OOO- T. Patrick Killough 10/25/2011

There are some really good people who work here. There are also some really terrible ones. Faculty…read moreand staff are a revolving door. Most people don't stay long because Sgro and his wife are tyrants who treat everyone else like dog s*** on the bottom of their shoe, all while being so fake and pretentious about how much they supposedly care about others. Most students are fine. Lots of entitlement though.

I'm not a graduate of the school, but my step father was. I attended Asheville for a summer and…read morethen for 3rd form (freshman year). My father and my step father's names are confusing for tabloid researchers lol :/ Asheville is a short drive from my grandparents home in TN. I had an excellent experience here as a student, with many fond memories. I highly reccomend the experience, and have nothing but affection for the school. Unfortunately, people who never attended the school and have no connection to it wish to be associated with alumni and with the names of people they deem as socially elite - or oppressive in some way. I encourage people to be aware of this problem before making any assumptions.

We have been taking my son Louis to Sylvan Learning Center for about a year now. It has been a…read moregreat experience for my boy he has showed great improvement and seems to be way more confident about himself. Academically and fundamentally I did not know how to help my son so glad sylvan is able to do what I am not. If you are having issues like we are I strongly suggest you give Stlvan learning a try. -Max MccLeary-Small

This is probably one of the worst school districts in our great country. the principals are rude…read morethey say we have and I quote "no rights" as students. The teachers are great but administration is terrible. I would never recom3nd this school district. So please parents don't choose this school district.

Asheville Tutoring did an excellent great job to help inspire and excite our son this summer…read morethrough his tutoring sessions. His confidence and performance has improved and we are excited to see him happy and interested in reading again. Katherine