Teacher Ann Jennings in the classroom

Pre-K through 8 at Carolina Day School

A Seamless Journey of Growth, Discovery, and Belonging

At Carolina Day School, Asheville’s leading independent school, students experience a purposeful Pre-K through Grade 8 journey designed to nurture the whole child—intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

Our Early Childhood, Lower School, and Middle School programs form one connected continuum of learning. This cohesive structure allows our dedicated teachers, specialists, and school leaders to guide each child with consistency and care through every stage of childhood and early adolescence. At Carolina Day, every child is known, valued, and empowered. Beginning in the earliest years, students build strong relationships with educators who understand their developmental needs. Those bonds of trust and belonging carry forward as students transition into early adolescence—a critical time when confidence and connection matter most.

Because we are one school on one campus, students benefit from seeing and experiencing “what comes next.” Cross-grade experiences and collaboration with faculty across divisions inspire curiosity, foster leadership, and help students look ahead with excitement to new challenges and opportunities.

We invite you to explore each stage of our Pre-K–8 experience, led by Principal Lauren Evans and Assistant Principals Peter Sullivan and Jessica Roberts.

Early Childhood: Preschool–K

A group of young children are running and playing in a wooded outdoor setting with trees and foliage in the background.

Lower School Grades 1–5

A group of young students, both boys and girls, are seated on the floor of a classroom, engaged in a discussion with their teacher, who is also present in the image.

Middle School Grades 6–8

A middle school student in a red shirt is intently looking through a microscope on a desk in a classroom setting.