High School/Senior High
(Grades 9 - 12) Academic Overview

ACADEMICS
At our high school level, emphasis is placed on college preparation with required course offerings in English, math, social studies, history, science, foreign languages, the arts,computer education and physical education.-At the high school level, there is an added emphasis on higher level thinking skills, and students are challenged by required research, speech and writing assignments in all subject areas. Technology is included in all subject areas.

American Heritage boasts an extensive selection of almost 300 course offerings. Courses vary from college prep, honors and 21 advance placement courses. American Heritage's pre professional programs (pre med, pre law and engineering) offer unique courses that are only taught by Doctors, Attorneys or Engineers. The rich fabric of our curriculum provides the very best in critical thinking and college preparation by incorporating technology integration of relevant software and programs in dedicated computer labs.

Communication with parents and students is essential. The school's web portal provides daily access to individual student grades, and written progress eports are sent home every three weeks. Teachers maintain web pages that display class information ranging from daily homework assignments to explanation of long term projects.

FACULTY
Instructors are experienced, fully certified and teach in their field of expertise, over 50% of the faculty hold advanced degrees. Many instructors are also advisors to clubs and activities or coach a sport. This provides the high school student the opportunity to work with teachers in a less structured environment. Our teachers are committed to the positive academic, emotional, physical and social development of each student. Instructors offer weekly help sessions to students who need extra reinforcement of skills and concepts to succeed.

TECHNOLOGY
Heritage has an ongoing commitment to offer the latest technology to our students. There are four state-of-the-art computer labs and a computer graphics lab which serve the Upper School. Besides computer classes, there are additional times during and after school when students are free to use the lab for reports or research. Our Library/Media Center houses over 150 computers; 4 technology integration labs, serving to incorporate technology into every upper school classroom; 12-foot tables, equipped with electric and data ports, for collaborative research and study, as well as similarly equipped, lighted carrels for individual study. ÊAdded features include wireless Internet access, a professionally staffed reference desk for optimum assistance, a separate station to monitor database progress and provide research guidance and a fully-automated circulation desk.

GUIDANCE AND COLLEGE PLANNING

"College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won."-Frank Sachs

College Planning at American Heritage is a long-term process.  Guidance Counselors for grades 7-10 are well versed in the requirements for college admissions, and academic requirements are tracked carefully.  In addition, students are encouraged to develop and peruse extra-curricular activities both within the school community and throughout the south Florida area.  Overall, the goal is to help students get a good sense of who they area, how they learn and where their talents lie.

Starting in their junior year, students are assigned a College Advisor.  Heritage College Advisors have collectively visited over 300 schools across the country.  They attend national and local conferences to ensure that they stay on top of the latest admissions trends.  The college planning process is comprehensive and supportive.  In this supportive environment, students learn to identify their goals and interests, to manage a complex and stressful process, and to make healthy and confident decisions about higher education. Fundamentally, we believe that each student should control the self-evaluation, research, and application writing that is essential to good college selection.

Evening Programs

• Athletic Recruiting 101 (with follow-up workshops)
• Sophomore College Night
• Junior Workshop on College Admissions Part I
• Junior Workshop on College Admissions Part II
• Application Nuts and Bolts (for seniors & parents)
• Making Financial Aid Count
• College Financial Planning

Family Connection
Family Connection is a web-based resource that links the counselor’s office to course, career, and college planning. On Family Connection, students are able to share plans, complete surveys, and research and compare colleges. Students may also complete college profiles and resumes, and manage their applications during senior year.

SAT Preparation
As a college preparatory school, we feel we are seated with the responsibility of preparing all of our students for the standardized test often required for college admission.  Research has shown that steady and consistent test preparation over time is the best way increase scores on standardized tests.  At American Heritage, all students receive SAT preparation as part of their math and English curriculum.  In addition, a course is offered as an elective to all high school students who want to prepare for the SAT, ACT, or to improve scores. Online test preparation is also available to all students in grades 9-12 through Family Connection.

Interview Specialist
Students who apply to competitive schools benefit from the help of an interview specialist who meets individually with students and conducts a mock interview.  She then provides feedback to the students and advises them on their preparation for and participation in interviews at their selected colleges. 

Colleges On Campus
Admissions representatives from various colleges are invited to our campus to share the latest information with students. Colleges and universities including Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Emory, The George Washington University, Brandeis, Yale, Johns Hopkins, University of Florida and University of Miami visit annually. Traditionally, 60-70 individual colleges send representatives for scheduled visits throughout the year.

College Fair/Tours
Each fall, tenth through twelfth grade students from both Heritage schools come together at the Plantation campus to participate in the annual College Fair that features more than 100 colleges. Students gather information from admissions representatives to help in the college decision-making process. Tours are offered each year to various areas of the country, such as New England, Pennsylvania, California, and Southeastern US.  Students spend three to four days visiting campuses and gathering information on specific schools.

College Corner
The Upper School Library/Media center features a “College Corner” where students can research universities through brochures and DVD’s, and meet with college representatives.  College and scholarship guidebooks are available and are updated annually.

Scholarships
The department’s Scholarship Specialist researches funds available nationally, locally and at individual colleges and universities to effectively match each family’s needs with monies available for their college-bound student. Collectively, each of our recent graduating classes has been awarded scholarships totaling tens of millions of dollars.

American Heritage students have matriculated at a wide variety of nationally renowned colleges and universities ranging from the Harvard,Yale,MIT,Princeton,Cornell, Boston University, Columbia University, and University of Pennsylvania, to colleges in the southeast like Wake Forest, Georgia Institute of Technology, Duke, Vanderbilt and the University of Florida.

ORGANIZATIONS & ACTIVITIES
The extensive athletics and activities offered at Heritage serve several purposes. Primarily, they assist in the growth and development of our students, but they also provide opportunities for leadership and excellence which are increasingly required for college admission. Among the activities and clubs offered to students: