Florida's #1 School for Most National Merit Scholars in 2026
American Heritage Schools is proud to celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2026, which includes a remarkable 87 National Merit Semifinalists and 92 National Commended Scholars.
The school's legacy of excellence continues to shine. The Broward Campus is once again the #1 school in Florida and the #2 private school in the nation for producing the highest number of National Merit Scholars Semifinalists. Meanwhile, the Palm Beach Campus stands strong as the #1 school in Palm Beach County and #2 in Florida. Together, the students from both campuses make up an impressive 9% of all semifinalists across the state, an extraordinary accomplishment given the competition from Florida's 2,227 public and private high schools.
Out of the 16,000 students nationwide who earned the prestigious title of National Merit Semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, 87 of them are from American Heritage Schools. Additionally, 92 more seniors were honored with the distinction of National Commended Scholar, further underscoring the school's deep pool of talent and academic potential. Furthermore, 488 seniors were recognized under the College Board National Recognition Program, which includes National School Recognition, which recognizes students who score in the top 10% of their high school's test takers or score a 3+ on two or more distinct AP exams by 10th grade, and designation awards which honor students who are African American, Hispanic, Indigenous, or First-Generation.
Congratulations to all of our Nationally Recognized Scholars, Class of 2026!
87 Seniors
were named National Merit Semifinalists
57 - Broward Campus
30 - Palm Beach Campus
9% of all National Merit Scholars
in Florida are from American Heritage Schools
1 in 7 Students
in the Class of 2026 are National Merit Semifinalists
16 Consecutive Years
American Heritage Schools has had the highest number of National Merit Semifinalists in Florida
12 Consecutive Years
American Heritage Schools was ranked #1 or #2 private school in the nation with the highest number of National Merit Semifinalists
For these exceptional students, becoming a National Merit Scholar Semifinalist is more than just a chance at millions of dollars in scholarships—it's a gateway to new opportunities. This prestigious title boosts their confidence and makes them highly attractive to top universities. According to the National Merit Scholarship organization, schools like Harvard, Stanford, the University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt consistently enroll the highest number of National Merit Scholars, proving that this recognition opens doors to the world's most selective institutions.
Year after year, our students continue to raise the bar of academic excellence. Their success in the National Merit program is a reflection of their hard work, the dedication of our teachers, and a school environment that challenges and inspires. We are proud to see them recognized among the very best in the nation.Dr. Doug Laurie President of American Heritage Schools
Heritage at a Glance
#1
Private K-12 School in Florida by Niche
488
Nationally Recognized Scholars in Class of 2026
16
Presidential Scholar Candidates in Class of 2025
95%
Pass Rate on All AP Exams
6
Pre-Professional Programs
192
AP/Honors Courses
130+
Fine Arts Courses
#1
Private School in the U.S. in Math Competition
100+
Student-Run Clubs and Activities
$127
Million in College Scholarships
662K
Community Service Hours Completed by PK3-12th Graders
5:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
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