School Philosophy

American Heritage School seeks to develop the full potential of each child to be an active, intelligent, creative and contributing member of the society of the 21st century.

To achieve this end:

We provide for the average to gifted student, a college preparatory program with a major emphasis on developing intellectual skills and mastery of content areas. Our academic objectives include the development of effective oral and written communications, mastery of mathematical concepts, an understanding of the events and contributions of history, basic communication in a foreign language, a knowledge of scientific fact and methodology and an appreciation of the arts.

We seek to teach our students computer uses and applications as tools for research, problem solving, design and communication. It is our goal to send our students into this rapidly changing world, prepared and enthusiastic for the technological changes to come in their lifetimes.

We provide opportunities beyond traditional, academic studies to develop talents and abilities in fully implemented fine arts and athletic programs. We welcome and encourage all students into these programs by use of a "no cut" policy which allows all interested students to participate. We believe that students need these outlets and opportunities for participation in their developmental years and will use these experiences and interests to add balance to their adult lives. We encourage involvement in our total school community through clubs and activities, as well as arts and athletics, so that a child may learn to know him/herself and develop confidence in his/her ability to make a contribution through his/her own efforts.

We believe that these goals are best carried out in an environment of mutual trust and caring; where competition with one's peers is respected but not required; where effective discipline means learning to take responsibilities for one's actions and because there are, after all, consequences in this world. We believe that, to be complete, the sense of family fostered on our campus must include parents; and to this end, we maintain effective and frequent oral and written communications and an "open door" policy. We believe that American Heritage shares with the parents the responsibility for instilling positive values in our students.

We believe that as a unit school (PK3-12), we have a unique opportunity to provide our youngest students with positive role models. This continuity of 15 grades provides us with both the privilege and the obligation of getting to know our students and parents to best serve the interests of every child entrusted to our care.