About American Heritage Academy

American Heritage Academy, a nonprofit 501-C-3 public charter school, was founded in 1995 by a group of "home-school" parents. It received it's charter from the Sate of Arizona to educate students in a traditional liberal arts education with an emphasis on the great role models of the past. Concerned about the lack of statesman and classically trained leaders, AHA was formed to "build tomorrow's heroes today."

American Heritage Academy classes are held four days a week, Monday through Thursday.

Basic Facts About Charter Schools:

• Charter Schools are free, publicly funded schools.
  
  
• Charter Schools provide students and parents with choices.
  
  
• Many charter schools offer a specialized curriculum such as technology, the arts, agriculture, vocational education and college preparatory.
  
  
• Parent surveys by independent researchers indicated that parents of charter school students are more satisfied with their child's school than traditional public schools. (Goldwater Institute)

Charter Schools Operate From Three basic Principles.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Charter schools are held accountable for the quality of education provided for their students in a safe and responsible environment. Charter Operators promise to fulfill a set of academic and operational goals in their charter. Charter schools are judged on how well they meet the goals established in their charter and how well they manage the fiscal and operational responsibilities entrusted to them. Charter schools in Arizona are regulated by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools and the Arizona Board of Education.

CHOICE
Any group who passes a rigorous application process can obtain a charter and open a charter school. Parents, teachers, community groups, and organizations have already started charter schools in many communities across the US, and these schools are as diverse as the communities they serve. Charters may choose to focus on a specialized curriculum, such as the Arts, Business, Technology, Agriculture, or they may server special student populations, such as at risk students. Charters offer a wide array of education methodology, including a back-to-basics approach, a technology centered approach or individualized instruction.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Charter schools are autonomous. They are freed from the bureaucracy and regulations that divert the energies of most traditional public schools. Instead of jumping through procedural hoops and over paperwork hurdles, educators focus on setting and reaching high academic standards for their students.

Additional Information

www.azcharters.org
www.ade.az.gov
www.ncsc.info
www.greatschools.com
www.ed.gov
www.edreform.com
www.charterfriends.org
www.goldwaterinstitute.org