Asheville Middle School students will not have an orchestra program during the 2026-27 school year after district leaders determined enrollment was too low to justify keeping the course, WLOS reported.
Asheville City Schools said 58 students signed up for orchestra, a number the district deemed insufficient for a system serving more than 3,700 students. Dr. Kimberly Dechant, chief of staff, told WLOS the district could not justify keeping a course with low enrollment when weighing limited teaching positions and funding.
Students who planned to take orchestra this fall must choose another elective, with band remaining an option. The district said band programs serve significantly more students and will continue at both the middle and high school levels during the 2026-27 school year.
The decision follows a one-year effort to increase participation. WLOS reported the orchestra teacher was given a reduced student load and resources to recruit more students, and 14 rising sixth graders signed up, raising enrollment from 44 to 58. The high school orchestra program was cut one year earlier for similar reasons.
Dechant said the district is prioritizing staffing for core subjects such as math and English and working to narrow academic achievement gaps. The district is also connecting affected students with the Asheville Youth Orchestra to help remove barriers to continued string instruction.
Some parents were expected to raise concerns at the school board meeting Monday evening.
For more information, visit wlos.com.