Asheville Middle School Strings Program to Return in 2027
Asheville families can sign students up for the strings program starting with the December 2026 electives process.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Administration
Live Poll
Should local school districts consult families before eliminating established academic programs in your area?
Asheville City Schools will restore the middle school strings program in January 2027 following a district funding reallocation. The program was previously eliminated in August 2026, and families of middle school students can plan for their electives when the selection process begins in December 2026.
Why it matters
The return of this elective follows a central office retirement that provided the necessary funding for a new part-time instructor. This development provides families with renewed access to school-based music instruction after several months of program suspension.
The district is creating a part-time orchestra instructor role to revive the program after it was cut in August 2026. This restoration serves as an exception to the standard staffing allotment formula to better align with current student enrollment numbers.
The players
Asheville City Schools
The local public school district managing academic programming and staffing for the city's students.
Maggie Fehrman
The Superintendent of Asheville City Schools who participated in the discussions to restore the music program.
Blair Johnston
The school principal who worked with district officials to secure the return of the middle school strings program.
Asheville City Schools Foundation
A local organization that supports the school district through fundraising and advocacy for student programs.
Franklin Keel
An orchestra teacher who was reassigned to Asheville High School after the program was initially eliminated.
The details
The program was reinstated following a series of discussions between district leadership, school administrators, and the Asheville City Schools Foundation. The district is now actively seeking a part-time instructor to lead the course, while the school board makes an exception to the staffing formula previously used to justify the cut. Former instructor Franklin Keel, who was moved to Asheville High School as a substitute, remains with the district during this transition.
Timeline
August 2026: The district announced the elimination of the strings program.
December 2026: Electives selection process begins for rising sixth graders.
January 2027: The middle school strings program officially resumes.
The Home Front
School districts often rely on strict staffing allotment formulas to manage budgets, which can lead to the sudden loss of niche elective programs. This restoration demonstrates how district-level administrative changes can override standard formulas to maintain specific academic opportunities for students.
Families with rising sixth graders should prepare to review music elective options when the selection process opens in December 2026. Keep an eye on school communications for specific registration deadlines to ensure your student is included in the spring enrollment cycle.
The takeaway
The return of the strings program offers families a predictable path to music education starting in the new year. Parents should mark their calendars for December 2026, when the official electives selection window opens for all eligible rising sixth-grade students.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational Administration updates affecting district policies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Asheville Citizen Times.
Live Poll
Should local school districts consult families before eliminating established academic programs in your area?
