Volunteer Background Checks | 2026-2027 School Year
Thank you for volunteering with Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe! In order to serve as many students as possible who need literacy support during the 2026-2027 school year, we are asking that all volunteer reading tutors complete background checks for both Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools systems.
Please find directions for completing each background check below - and thank you for your time and dedication to our students!
IMPORTANT: If you are using an iOS device (Apple/Mac computer, tablet, or iPhone), use Chrome or Firefox to complete the background check application process, not Safari.
Please find directions for completing each background check below - and thank you for your time and dedication to our students!
IMPORTANT: If you are using an iOS device (Apple/Mac computer, tablet, or iPhone), use Chrome or Firefox to complete the background check application process, not Safari.
Asheville City Schools (ACS) Background Check Directions
1. CLICK HERE to complete your background check (“ACS Secure Volunteer Application”): It only takes a few minutes!
2. Once you receive an email from Asheville City Schools acknowledging receipt of your "Secure Volunteer Application," please forward that email to [email protected]. *Note: ACS uses a third party to handle background checks. You will receive an email from [email protected] with your approval.
3. Once you receive another email indicating your background check/volunteer application has been approved (3 - 5 weeks), please forward that email to volunteer@r2sasheville.org. This confirmation email is a record of approval, please print and keep for your records.
* You will receive a volunteer ID card in the mail from ACS about 2 weeks after you receive your confirmation email. Please print your confirmation email and keep your ID card for your records.
- On that webpage, scroll down and click on “Read 2 Succeed” then click “Continue."
- Fill in your personal info, click “I agree”, and click “Continue."
- Continue following the directions and prompts. When it asks “Where will you volunteer?”, select "To be decided” from the drop down menu. When it asks “Why are you volunteering?", select “Other” from the drop down menu and type in, "Tutor with Read to Succeed “
2. Once you receive an email from Asheville City Schools acknowledging receipt of your "Secure Volunteer Application," please forward that email to [email protected]. *Note: ACS uses a third party to handle background checks. You will receive an email from [email protected] with your approval.
3. Once you receive another email indicating your background check/volunteer application has been approved (3 - 5 weeks), please forward that email to volunteer@r2sasheville.org. This confirmation email is a record of approval, please print and keep for your records.
* You will receive a volunteer ID card in the mail from ACS about 2 weeks after you receive your confirmation email. Please print your confirmation email and keep your ID card for your records.
Buncombe County Schools (BCS) Background Check Directions
PLEASE READ: If this is your first time applying for a BCS background check, you must first register an account with their third-party background check/volunteer application vendor, Secure Volunteer (bchex). CLICK HERE to visit the Secure Volunteer (bchex) webpage.
Once registered, you will receive an email to confirm your email address. You use this email to return to the website to complete the background check/volunteer application process.
Note: For BCS background checks, you will need 2 personal references with names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. Do not submit a picture; it is not required. Also, your BCS background check will not be accessible for you to renew until it fully expires (one year from the day you were last approved).
1. CLICK HERE to complete your background check application (“BCS Volunteer Application”): It only takes a few minutes! *
2. Once you receive an email from Buncombe County Schools acknowledging receipt of your background check application (2 - 5 days), please forward that email to volunteer@r2sasheville.org. *Note: BCS uses a third party to handle background checks. You will receive an email from [email protected] with your approval.
3. Once you receive another email indicating your background check/volunteer application has been approved (2-3 weeks), please forward to volunteer@r2sasheville.org. This confirmation email is your only record of approval, please print and keep for your records.
If you have any questions, please contact our Tutor & Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].
- Scan QR code with phone if you are on a computer. If on a phone press the start button.
- Scan your ID or Passport.
- Choose level 2 volunteer.
- You will fill out your information about your name and press "I agree."
- It will then lead you to fill out personal information such as address, social security number, email, etc.
- On that same page it will ask which school and you will select "Buncombe County" and "Reason for Volunteering" you will select "other" and write "Read to Succeed."
- When prompted to select a school, choose "Johnston Elementary" (even if you do not tutor there; that is where R2S has a presence)
- It will then bring you to a final page and you will press "Complete."
- Once everything is completed it will send you a text message and email on how you can access your progression status.
Once registered, you will receive an email to confirm your email address. You use this email to return to the website to complete the background check/volunteer application process.
Note: For BCS background checks, you will need 2 personal references with names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers. Do not submit a picture; it is not required. Also, your BCS background check will not be accessible for you to renew until it fully expires (one year from the day you were last approved).
1. CLICK HERE to complete your background check application (“BCS Volunteer Application”): It only takes a few minutes! *
- You are applying to be a Level II Volunteer.
- For School Locations, select: All Schools from the drop down menu
2. Once you receive an email from Buncombe County Schools acknowledging receipt of your background check application (2 - 5 days), please forward that email to volunteer@r2sasheville.org. *Note: BCS uses a third party to handle background checks. You will receive an email from [email protected] with your approval.
3. Once you receive another email indicating your background check/volunteer application has been approved (2-3 weeks), please forward to volunteer@r2sasheville.org. This confirmation email is your only record of approval, please print and keep for your records.
If you have any questions, please contact our Tutor & Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].
