Enrollment Criteria
We prioritize Kindergarten through 11th grade enrollment for students most affected by Asheville’s achievement gaps: racial & ethnic minorities, students with learning differences (diagnosed or suspected), and students of families who are living in subsidized housing, homeless or designated McKinney-Vento, but also consider all referrals for students experiencing poverty and in need of educational support.
Please provide as much information as possible in your referral. OpenDoors Asheville staff will use the following questions to determine eligibility for the referred student:
- Does the family qualify for public assistance programs (free and reduced lunch, medicaid or CHIP, SSI, etc.)?
- Has the student lived in public housing, fragile or substandard housing, been ‘doubled-up’, or classified as homeless in the last three years?
- Is the student not performing to their academic potential?
- Is the student performing one or more years below grade level in core subjects (English reading/writing, math, science, or social studies)?
- Can the student be easily accessed by OpenDoors’ existing network of support at school and/or at home?
- Are the student and caregiver willing to give permission and participate in activities that may be outside of their peer or cultural norms?
Referral Process
OpenDoors of Asheville is not a temporary relief organization. If the referred person or family is in crisis (housing, mental health, transportation, nutritional needs, health care concerns, etc.), please dial 211 to find organizations which can provide immediate assistance.
A referral to OpenDoors of Asheville is not a guarantee of services. We require meetings with parents and students and review background information before making a final decision as to the best course of action for educational support and intervention. This process may take several weeks, depending on the cooperation of outside agencies’ response to information requests.
We aim to provide the highest quality services to our families and acknowledge that sometimes what is best for a family may be outside our scope. We will always attempt to refer to another appropriate agency and provide a recommendation for services.
If you have any further questions about our referral process, please call or send us a message through our contact page.
Online Referral Form
For a paper copy, please print the OpenDoors Referral Form (.pdf) and return in person or by mail to:
290 Haywood Road, Suite 204, Asheville, NC 28806
