Wellington The Magazine – June 2016                                                       American Heritage School Provides Its Students With The Resources That They Need To Succeed

By Deborah Welky

The American Heritage School is a college preparatory school where students from PK3 through 12th grade receive a rigorous and well-rounded education that prepares them for college and beyond. The school’s college guidance program is extensive and begins in the ninth grade.

American Heritage was founded in 1965 in Plantation and opened its Delray Beach campus in 1999.

Melanie Hoffman, public relations director for the school, noted that students at American Heritage receive more personalized attention than in a public school setting.

“The resources available to them are tremendous,” Hoffman said. “Students and parents both appreciate the ability to design a course load that meets their needs.”

At American Heritage, the curriculum is rigorous, providing the Stanford Math Program for high-achieving students in the Lower School and more than 40 Advanced Placement and honors courses for high school students.

In the Lower School, students learn how to write and communicate at an early age. In the Upper School, the curriculum has honors courses in literature, journalism, economics, psychology and history, as well as business/entrepreneurship, speech and debate, and pre-law classes.

Pre-law classes are taught daily by attorneys practicing in their fields. It is a pre-professional curriculum for students who want to pursue the possibility of a career in law. Courses are offered in business law, criminal law, criminal procedures, constitutional law, juvenile law, corporate law, current legal matters, homicide law, evidence, trial advocacy, mock trial, moot court and law internships. American Heritage boasts the top mock trial team in Palm Beach County and the top two moot court teams in Florida.

Some of the more unique courses are e-commerce, computer science, marine science, environmental health and a pre-medical honors program. That program includes the study of medical terminology, embryology, physical exam, anatomy and physiology, pathology, forensic science, organic chemistry and medical internships. Like in pre-law, pre-med classes are taught daily by doctors and specialists practicing in their fields, offering a firm grounding for students who want to explore the possibility of a career in medicine.

“We are proud to be the number one public or private high school in Palm Beach County in math competition, the number one private school in Palm Beach County in the science fair competition, the recipient of first place at the Brain Bowl, and home to robotics teams that have qualified for the Robotics World Championship for two consecutive years,” Hoffman said.

Three foreign language courses are also available. “Our students choose between Spanish, French or Mandarin Chinese,” Hoffman said. “We are the number one private school in Palm Beach County at the French Congress Championship.”

American Heritage opens at 6:30 a.m. for students who need to arrive at school earlier, and the lights rarely go out until long after the sun sets. There is something for everyone with more than 70 clubs and organizations, created and headed by students with a faculty adviser, as well as enrichment classes for younger students such as yoga, Zumba, karate, robotics and iMacs. Students can also join one of the school’s many competitive sports teams.

“We have a ‘no cut’ policy that allows every student who wants to participate an opportunity to play on the Stallion team of his or her choice,” Hoffman said. “Our coaches provide a high-quality level of instruction, enabling students to further develop their skills and build good character, leadership and respect for others.”

In addition, the fine arts program is recognized internationally.

“We welcome students with all abilities in the arts, and our low student-to-teacher ratio gives each student the chance to develop skills at his or her own pace,” Hoffman said. “We feel that a student should be well-rounded, so we teach performance techniques and hands-on application, combined with theory in all disciplines of study.”

In 2016, American Heritage had the highest number of National Merit Scholars in Palm Beach County, and the Class of 2016 was offered $14 million in college scholarships. It has a nationally ranked student television network and is the top private school in Palm Beach County for student government competitions.

American Heritage’s Delray Beach campus, which serves many students from the Wellington area, is located at 6200 Linton Blvd. just east of Jog Road. For more info., call (561) 495-7272 or visit www.ahschool.com.