French Broad River Academy (FBRA), an independent middle school, celebrates the start of construction on a new academic building this Thursday at a public groundbreaking ceremony.
The project establishes an expanded and permanent home for FBRA’s Girls Program on the 3.3-acre riverside campus just north of downtown Asheville. It is the latest phase of growth for the middle school founded in 2009 that combines rigorous academics with learning through outdoor adventure, service, and travel.
This special event not only marks the start of the project, but is a moment to celebrate this major milestone in the history of FBRA and to honor the community that has made it possible.
Less than three months ago, the FBRA campus which sits alongside the French Broad River was mostly spared by the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene. With normal school operations suspended due to the effects of the storm, FBRA’s mission shifted temporarily and the campus became the base of operations for the Helene Rebuild Collaborative, a grassroots initiative born by FBRA staff and friends to deliver vital resources to people in hard-hit, hard-to-reach and underserved areas.
The celebration will includes a proclamation by the Town of Woodfin, performances by FBRA student bands, and remarks from officials, school alumni and staff.