American Heritage School - Boca/Delray

6200 Linton Blvd

Delray Beach, FL 33484

75 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on September 24, 2024

I have 2 kids, one went to Dreyfoos and the other American Heritage. The Dreyfoos system was able to target my child's strengths and push them along and even have them enrolled in college classes in their junior year. The college counseling was fantastic, the counselor knew my child and was vested in their success. Parents were a real part of the educational process, the college application process, and the fabric of the school. My child left the school happy to be an alum and loved their experience.On the other hand, American Heritage is a for profit school that uses the kids as marketing tools to increase profits. The school gives scholarships to smart kids to get them in the door for marketing and then the rest of the kids are just pushed through the system as fodder. Because the marketing is all about college the kids are pushed and pressured non-stop in that regard to make the school look good. The stress is unreal and unhealthy. I know of 3 students who were pulled out and went to facilities to recover from the stress put on them at the school. That is 3 just from my student's extended friend group. The school does nothing to address this, they push for selfish reasons sacrificing mental health and encourage the competition.The college counseling is perhaps great for the top 10-15 students, the rest are on a conveyor and moving through with no personal anything. Late Junior year there is a little steering but public school does a far better job if you are not in the top 10-15 students.Cheating at the school is out of control and the administration turns a blind eye. 2023/2024 a few kids were disciplined but it was less than a speed bump. The kids never really stopped. But that scandal uncovered racism, sexism, and bullying via text and other postings that have never been addressed to the greater school. The technology used allows for cheating and distraction. Teachers pay no attention to it.If you ask a question to administration you will probably not hear back, you are expected to get in line and take what they give. The PTO does nothing, you can sign up to help and go to meetings and they will never contact you to get involved, it is not inviting. The reality is far from what the marketing shows. It was a huge mistake. Every year got worse. When you tour listen for laughing happy kids, you will not hear them at American Heritage.
Submitted by parent on July 16, 2024

Best decision we made. My child is thriving academically in the high school as there is no nonsense anllowe and the teachers are highly engaging.
Submitted by parent on February 26, 2024

Applying to colleges from this school is difficult. Counselors have you on a conveyor belt, and parents are given a list that they need to sign. Literally in a matter of seconds the guidance counselor rambles off to-do items and makes you sign that you are doing them. Big checkmark that another parent is off the list. There's a program that AH has called Naviance, and it shows the likelihood of your child to get into a particular college, based on the track record of past students at AH school. Most shocking is the admit rate for UF. It's pretty clear that AH is not talking to UF about the rigor of their classes, because the admit rate is low. UF is the number 1 public school in Florida and I think in the nation, and a kid from AH with a 4.0 likely will not get admitted to UF. That's a problem. AH needs to set up it up and start talking to the better Florida colleges. Many of the AH guidance counselors aren't great. The VP of guidance showed no initiative to help last year: no calling back, avoiding. If this happens to your child in sophomore year, it's because they have determined your kid is not worthy. If I ran AH like the way AH runs their kids, there would be a lot of guidance counselors sacked and many more happy college admissions people on campus.
Submitted by parent on May 15, 2023

Not a good school at all. The teachers do not grade things often for months at a time then will suddenly issue grades at the end of the semester. Teachers are mediocre and underpaid there are a few great ones but they are the minority. The administration is not helpful and because they give scholarships to many very smart kids their statistics are excellent but students are expendable. Many policies don’t make sense at all such as attendance and exempting exams
Submitted by parent on September 30, 2022

Highly recommend American Heritage! Yes, it is a rigorous college prep environment and kids who enjoy learning will most definitely find this school rewarding because there are so many classes and clubs to choose from. Our family has had nothing but amazing experiences with our children here including the friends they've made along the way and the many dedicated teachers that have shown them how to be successful while still enjoying the process of learning. There will always be something that some parents and students don't like about any school they encounter, however for us we have had nothing but great experiences at Heritage. They take security seriously and that was just one of the main reasons we chose this school. As parents, we definitely feel that our children will be fully prepared for the best colleges after graduating from Heritage as they really take the time to prepare them for SAT and ACT.
Submitted by parent on September 14, 2022

This school is so bootycheeks, please do not go there. They don't care about you, they only care about money and looking good. If you send your child there, they're going to spiral. They won't ever have time to be a human being, a person. You get a facial hair kit from the school since facial hair is out of dress code, which is absolute BULLS***. Want a piercing? Oh too bad, you can't get one. If you already have one, oh too bad, take it out, that's also out of dress code! Want a cool haircut with dyed hair? Oh too bad! That's SPOILER ALERT! also. out. of. dress. code. The school will not care about your kids. Please. (Send them to dreyfoos or suncoast.)
Submitted by parent on September 10, 2022

American Heritage is a marketing machine. It has three class system in place: advanced, average, special accommodations. I have heard the accommodated kids are treated well. But my child was placed in the advanced group. I would like to speak to this section only. The teachers are fine. It’s the system that is the problem. In order to distinguish an A from a B or C in this group the teachers are forced to construct impossible tests and outlandish tasks with obscure questions. Which then encourages kids to cheat with things like test banks and also pits them against each other. The students become hamsters on a wheel…running after task after task. With children that are gifted it breaks their spirit. My child graduated with a 5.9. Took mostly AP courses. . Got 5’s on placements but lost confidence as a person there. My child goes to a great college. Acceptance rate of 6 percent. But would have gone to a great college from any school. The Kids are ushered through food lines like cattle…are served rotten milk…..bad food….are bossed out of common spaces. It’s honestly run like a prison without any regard for personal freedom or choice. The marketing cog…..will take a kid on scholarship and force them to apply to great schools. That one kid might get into Harvard, Prinston and Stanford all three….but it’s the same one kid that gets marketed. It skews the truth. If a kid on scholarship starts to wain in grades…the staff will terrorize the kid as a group to try to kick them out so they can get full price from someone else. It’s shameless and horrible. I hate the police state they created there. I regret the time we paid to have my child go there. Consider carefully if you have a gifted student. I would choose somewhere else.
Submitted by parent on July 12, 2022

The communication is abhorrent. Not the response; the principal will call you back at virtually any hour. But rather the lack of clarity. Dozens of emails with lots of links without a clear message. If you have an issue, the business office will shrug and say well that's our policy after the fact. Instead of being proactive, letting parents know in advance or at least trying to assist and help.Here's the issue as I see it. The school is run by parents of students. Teachers and staff. They don't hire professionals, they hire parents. It's not a well-run for-profit business, it's a bunch of parents getting free tuition, subsidized by families who work elsewhere and pay the annual $30K tuition for elementary school. Plus school fees $700. $300+ for books. Plus a few hundred for the ugly uniforms - wait until you feel that fabric. It's like a curtain. And supplies: composition books, green pens and paper towels! Huh? Students have to bring their own paper towels? They integrated a new payment system in 2021 to charge parents the merchant fee if using a credit card. Fine, that's a reasonable business decision. What isn't reasonable is the system never works properly. Never.Another BIG issue is the overpacked classrooms. High demand with an influx of families moving to FL. Last year they packed 22 kids, teacher and assistant teacher (surprise, 2 parents of current students) into very tiny classrooms. You have to see it. Crammed desks, backpacks, books, shelves. Kids can barely squeeze into their chairs. And the noise! Indescribable.On a positive note, campus security is well run. The LS principal takes her job seriously.You may ask, why not leave if I'm so annoyed? Simple answer is our kids have made friends and we live nearby. The grass may not be that much greener on the other side. I'm leaving a review so prospective families have insight from a current parent, not because we consider leaving. Not yet.
Submitted by parent on June 11, 2022

We moved from CT where the educational system is 2nd best in the country…American Heritage educators, opportunities for kids advancement academically and in sports as well as growing into responsible, civic minded people is dar superior than what our friends are experiencing in CT! We are very pleased with the entire school and educational experience and would recommend it to anyone who wants their kids to be hsppy and successful!
Submitted by parent on May 10, 2022

An amazing school that not only prepares your children for college it overprepares them in a good way. My daughter received a full scholarship to Wake Forest and is thriving on the dean's list and finds the classes easy. My son had almost a perfect sat score his sophomore year and I'm sure will go on to a top notch college. I've watched my children grow into successful and happy individuals and can't express how happy I am with the results I've seen at American Heritage.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2022

This school creates a terrible environment for everyone who goes their. Its closer to a prison then a school. The education is subpar. Would not recommend do not send your child here.
Submitted by parent on January 20, 2022

We enrolled two children in 2021-2022. The school has so many programs and does a great tour. The campus is great. Be aware that if your high schooler is transferring in and interested in one of the four year certifications fixations offered, they cannot do it as a transfer student. Be aware that the groups are already set and some of the teachers are very bonded with certain students which makes it difficult to really integrate and feel included. That being said it is a good school.
Submitted by parent on January 15, 2021

We are incredibly at AHS! The academics, learning environment, clubs, sports, fine arts, and safety/security precautions are all top notch. The teachers are amazing and are truly inspiring role models. We couldn't be happier with the education and social opportunities that the school provides our children.
Submitted by teacher on January 13, 2021

American Heritage is a wonderful school with incredible teachers, administration, staff, students and families. Every member of the AHS community is valued and respected and the quality of education is top notch!
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2021

American Heritage School has been amazing for my kids! There are so many great classes to choose from and extracurricular activities to get involved in. The teachers have high expectations of the students, and at the same time, they are very supportive. My kids love it!
Submitted by parent on January 11, 2021

My son has attended American Heritage Academy since 9th grade, he is now a Junior. Transferring from the public school system to AHS was a breeze. He is doing fantastic with his grades and we love his Student Advisor. Teachers have been understanding and patient which reflects positively on him and his GPA. There is always extra help if he needs it. My son has experienced on campus learning and at home distance learning, he prefers to be on campus however his grades have not been affected by being at home and learning online. AHS was one of the first Palm Beach County schools that opened up for their students after the pandemic lockdown was lifted. The school took every precaution available for its students and faculty's safety. I felt safe sending my son to school. Although there have been some COVID hiccups, that is to be expected. *Pre-COVID note, I did not give the school five stars only because I feel it is overcrowded and it will only get worse.
Submitted by parent on June 10, 2020

My experience at American Heritage has gone above and beyond all my expectations. When we were interviewing at several private schools, it came down to what was best for my children. Well, we found the BEST! My eldest is a successful engineer. My son is thriving in college. Without this school, I am sure he would not be the same confident , young man who was recently invited to the Cannes Film Festival. My youngest has a few more years left at American Heritage. I can only imagine how the school will help guide her path.
Submitted by parent on June 03, 2020

We have found everything we need for our children at AHS. We could not be happier and feel we have found a perfect fit. It is a wonderful school community. When you are new, you are warmly welcomed. Parents help other parents, staff cares for families, teachers love their students, and students learn and grow. It is worth every penny of the tuition.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2020

Great school! Teacher's and staff work together to offer the best learning experience. The pre-professional programs are amazing. I haven't seen any other school that offer these programs for high school students.
Submitted by parent on April 07, 2020

Having a large family, all 5 of my kids are completely different and this school has continued to offer amazing growth, tapping into their individual potential and offering personal and academic opportunities throughout the years. Amazing school!