American Heritage Lower School - Plantation Campus

2022 - 2023 Lower School Profile

Highlights & Recognitions

The students at American Heritage Schools are uniquely prepared to be leaders of the 21st century who embody knowledge, integrity, and compassion. We guide students to be independent, productive, and accomplished when they progress into our Upper School.

Here are some of the recent achievements of our Lower School students and notable facts about our school:

#1 private elementary school in the U.S. in math competition; #1 elementary school in Florida in math
Nationally standardized test scores in the 85th percentile on average
One out of four 5th and 6th grade students qualified for Duke University’s Talent Identification Program
Stanford University’s math program for accelerated math students in 4th-6th grades
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) initiatives
in new state-of-the-art Science & Engineering Lab and Innovation Lab
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum enhances computer science instruction focusing on programming, creative thinking, student collaboration, and communication
Over 15 elective classes supplement core curriculum in all students’ daily schedules
20+ years participant in Presidential Education Academic Award program
Highest number of winners in city-wide Art Search competition
Straight Superiors at Junior Thespians state competition for one-act play, Superior Tech, Best Ensemble in a Play, Best Actor
Yearly orchestra, band, and chorus recognitions
Average tenure of teachers exceeds 10 years
Over 30 enrichment classes offered after school, such as chess, robotics, speech & debate, IMACS, karate, ceramics, musical theater, and sports

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Our School

American Heritage was founded in 1965. Our wooded 40-acre campus has colonial-style brick buildings that house classrooms; offices; Science, Engineering, and Innovation Labs; a multi- million dollar fine arts facility; outdoor Environmental Educational Center; Olympic size pool; sports fields; and quiet courtyard areas. The Lower School library is a 2,041 square-foot media center with a resource lab, two instructional areas, and over 16,000 books and reference materials.

A College Prep Experience

American Heritage Schools gives its students a rigorous education in a forward-thinking, technologically advanced, and well-rounded environment. Our mission is to graduate students who are prepared in mind, body, and spirit to meet the requirements of the colleges of their choice. We offer a challenging college preparatory curriculum that serves students of bright average to gifted intelligence and aims to develop critical thinking skills and lifelong learning. At American Heritage Schools, students find their passion and uncover hidden talents.

Student Clubs & Organizations

We believe students should develop social responsibility with respect for individual and group differences. We offer student clubs and organizations supervised by faculty advisers to foster a community of scholars who seek to become responsible citizens. Following is a sampling of our extra-curricular activities.

Elementary Theater Troupe is an after school enrichment program during the fall and winter that culminates in an elaborate production of a Broadway style musical for two nights in January in the American Heritage Center for the Arts Main Theatre.

Lower School Dance Company attracts students with a love of dance. Students rehearse under the direction of professional dancers; they perform two times each year with the Upper School Dance Company on the Main Stage of the American Heritage Center for the Arts.

National Elementary Honor Society (NEHS) recognizes a highly selective group of motivated students who display the characteristics of scholarship, leadership, responsibility, and character. Our NEHS chapter has sponsored an orphanage in earthquake-damaged Haiti, hosts the Principal’s Honor Roll Breakfast each quarter, and participates in Math Night at Publix Supermarket.

Robotics Team attracts students in 4th-8th grades interested in the fundamentals of engineering. Students meet after school two times each week; they work together to build and program an autonomous robot that performs tasks within a set time frame.

Safety Patrol is an on-campus service organization that provides a safe environment for pedestrians and motorists. Patrol members assist at morning drop-off and help younger students with their backpacks and other items that need to be taken to their classrooms.

Science Olympiad Club is an opportunity for students in Grades 3-5 to compete with other students throughout the county in 23 different events. The categories range from mathematics, physics, and chemistry to earth and space science, biology, and engineering. Students engage in hands-on, interactive, and inquiry-based activities that are lab-based, research-based, or prebuilt.

Speech Club is offered to students in 4th & 5th grades giving the opportunity to develop skills in persuasion and communication and compete with other elementary schools in Broward County. Sixth graders may join the Junior High Speech & Debate Club and compete with other middle schools in Broward County.

Student Council represents all Lower School students and is comprised of students in 4th-6th grades. Officers and classroom representatives are elected at the beginning of each year; students can join the general membership, as well. The Council operates a school store and raises funds for community service projects. Members earn points to travel to Washington, DC; Boston; or Philadelphia to observe our nation’s government and history.

Student Diversity

Faculty

The 147 Lower School faculty members include degreed and certified instructors, administrators, a guidance counselor, teacher assistants, a nurse with two assistants, and office professionals. More than half of the instructional staff hold a post-graduate degree. Our highly qualified, talented, and dedicated teachers guide our students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and socially and prepare them for a lifelong journey of learning. To foster educational best practices, all of our teachers participate in professional development throughout the year. Parents and students respect our professional, competent, and caring faculty.

Accreditations and Memberships

Tuition & Fees (23-24)

Tuition

Fees

Explanation of Fees

Digital Textbooks, Content, & Course Materials: This covers all digital content including digital textbooks and online programs. This fee also covers all other classroom and lab materials used during the year. You may also be required to purchase a limited number of print books through our online bookstore.

Activities: Students receive a yearbook and a school ID. This also covers PTO dues, and free admission to or online viewing of regular season on-campus athletic events and all Fine Arts productions.

Security: Includes safety enhancements. Among these are: the addition of two (2) armed police officers and two (2) armed full-time security staff on the premises during school days; the additional security staff for the checkpoint areas for the backpack protocol; the installation of perimeter fencing with self-contained alarm and camera system; the construction of a security office including the latest surveillance equipment; installation of bullet resistant glass in all doors and classrooms; expert training in self-defense for all faculty members; purchasing of trauma kits for all classrooms and expert training for all faculty in the use of these kits; purchase of card swipe for electronic access to all elevators and exterior building entrances.

Technology: This covers computer licenses for 24 database subscriptions which students can access on campus and from home. Included also are student subscriptions to Turnitin.com and Noodle Tools. Funds are also used to maintain current hardware and software needs to support teaching and learning across campus and provide for campus-wide broadband Wi-Fi.

Additional fees you might see on your monthly statement include but are not limited to bus, cafeteria, PE tennis/soccer, tutoring, speech, replacement/ temporary IDs, belts, spirit wear, lost library books and lost sports uniforms. You may also be required to purchase a limited number of print books through our online bookstore (http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ahschoolb)