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In just its second year, the downtown Salt Lake City campus of American Heritage School has nearly doubled its enrollment. The school has swelled to 203 students this year from 115 last fall. The school's principal, Leland Anderson, attributes the growth to the school's unique mission.
"American Heritage really strives to educate the whole child–heart, mind, and body–within the context of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ," Anderson says. "By addressing the whole child, we see significant gains in all aspects of the child's development."
One AHS parent says it's the school's culture and its teachers that make all the difference.
"The culture of academic challenge and Christian kindness that our children experience daily at the SLC campus is transformative," says a father who has children attending the school. "Our children continually tell us at home about the experiences they are having and the friends they are making at school. The teachers are excellent and the homework is so meaningful," he says. "And as parents, we enjoy seeing our children learn academic content and skills and develop Christian character."
Another father with children enrolled at the school says, "I'm grateful my children have opportunities every day to interact with students from around the world. The diversity my children experience is a very important part of their education."
Students and faculty come from 17 different countries, including Mexico, Peru, Guatemala, Brazil, South Africa, China, India, Pakistan, Samoa, Tonga, United Kingdom, Romania, Italy, the Dominican Republic, Tanzania, Canada, and the United States.
In addition to its impressive curricular growth, the school now has hundreds more enrolled in after-school orchestra and music programs.
AHS is now enrolling students in grades K–12 for the 2024–2025 school year. The priority enrollment deadline is December 15, 2023.
Founded in 1970, American Heritage School is Utah's largest private K–12 school with 1,200 students attending its 40-acre campus in American Fork. The school's academic results are impressive at every level, including elementary, middle, and high school standardized test scores that are well above state and national averages.
American Heritage School's new Salt Lake City campus opened in August 2022 and has grown quickly.
When full, the Salt Lake City campus will enroll up to 300 students in grades K–12 in traditional academic subjects such as English, math, history, literature, science, computer science, art, music, PE, drama, and social dance. Various elective courses are also available, such as International Relations, Spanish, and Chinese.
The average class size is currently 17, with a capacity for 24 per class.
Extracurricular activities include orchestra, choir, harp, basketball, soccer, volleyball, mock trial, high school dances, and a service club. The orchestra, choir, and harp ensembles are open to students in the community, not just enrolled students.
Enrollment in Salt Lake City and American Fork is open to families across the Wasatch Front. Some families commute from as far as Utah, Weber, Tooele, Summit, or Wasatch counties to attend. Families living remotely can access family education resources through American Heritage Worldwide.
American Heritage School invites families to visit its Salt Lake City campus at an upcoming enrollment open house on Friday, November 3, 9–11 AM to explore an AHS education. The school is located at 142 W 200 North, northwest of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Center.
Families can tour the campus; meet with parents, students, and administrators; and step into classrooms to observe teaching and learning in action. Families should register for the open house here.
"After becoming familiar with the school, there are three steps to apply for admission," Jansen says. "Complete an application, attend an admissions interview in person or online, and participate in a new student assessment."
The application can be completed online. New student assessment days are held monthly beginning in January of 2024. Families are encouraged to apply early and and schedule their interview and assessment date soon, as most seats at the school will fill by June.
Anderson says need-based scholarships can help families afford tuition. "The school's scholarship committee strives to make enrollment affordable to all families who desire to attend. We are grateful to generous individuals who fund tuition for others, which is an inspiring example of private charity," Anderson said.
Individuals or businesses wishing to fund scholarships at American Heritage School may contact the school's leaders or donate online. AHS is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, meaning donations are tax-deductible.
State funding may also help families afford the school. Beginning in 2024–2025, the Utah Fits All Scholarship provides $8,000 to families toward private or homeschool expenses. Families must apply for the scholarship and be approved. Applications for the Utah Fits All Scholarship will open by March 2024.
American Heritage School in Salt Lake City expects to admit many families who qualify for the Utah Fits All Scholarship.
Kristen Jansen, the school's admissions director, says, "The $8,000 from the Utah Fits All Scholarship covers most of AHS tuition."
AHS employs excellent teachers from around the world. Interested candidates are invited to apply through American Heritage School's employment system.
