American Heritage Schools is proud to celebrate 60 years of fostering academic excellence and shaping future leaders during its 2024-2025 school year. Since 1965, American Heritage Schools has evolved into the nation’s premier private college preparatory institution, consistently recognized for its commitment to academic achievement, innovation and community service.
Over the past six decades, American Heritage Schools have consistently set a benchmark for excellence, with recent notable achievements including:
- No. 1 school in Florida and the No. 2 private school in the U.S. for the highest number of National Merit Scholars for the class of 2025.
- No. 1 school in Florida for the highest number of Presidential Scholars.
- No. 1 private school in the nation for Math Competition
- #1 high school in Florida at state-level Science Fair competition
- Top 1% in the nation for Speech & Debate, Top 3 Model UN Team in the nation
- 96% AP Pass Rate on All AP Exams surpassing state (61%) and global (66%) average
- No. 16 in Corporate Philanthropy in South Florida by the South Florida Business Journal
These achievements reflect the school’s unwavering dedication to nurturing every student’s intellectual and creative potential. At American Heritage Schools, education extends beyond traditional academics; it’s about cultivating a sense of belonging, inspiration, and limitless potential within a supportive, family-oriented community.
“We are honored to celebrate this significant milestone of 60 years of excellence in education at American Heritage Schools,” said Dr. Douglas Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools. “From our founding, we have been dedicated to our mission of knowledge, integrity and compassion to nurture young minds and prepare students for success. As we commemorate the past six decades, we celebrate our past, present and future while continuing to inspire and develop the leaders of tomorrow.”
American Heritage Schools plans to have a year filled with special events, celebrations and heartfelt reflections. American Heritage Schools has begun celebrations for its 60thanniversary with the following celebrations:
Palm Beach Campus Field Dedication (April 29, 2024)
American Heritage Schools’ Palm Beach campus kicked off its 60th anniversary celebrations with the grand dedication of the newly named William R. Laurie Field. The event featured a parade and presentation. Special guests included Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney and Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Sachs delivering heartfelt remarks on Mr. William R. Laurie’s impact on the community. The dedication ceremony highlighted the field’s new name, honoring William R. Laurie, and set the tone for a year-long celebration of American Heritage Schools’ remarkable legacy and future.
Broward Campus Victory Bridge (May 2, 2024)
American Heritage Schools hosted a special event at its Broward campus, featuring the dedication of the Victory Bridge. The ceremony included inspiring presentations by former Mayor of Plantation Rae Carole Armstrong and City of Plantation Council Member Denise Horland, who delivered a special proclamation of the Victory Bridge. The event also celebrated the Class of 2024 with a commemorative brick paver ceremony, symbolizing the enduring legacy of American Heritage students. Special remarks were given by American Heritage Schools President Dr. Douglas Laurie, High School Principal Osmel Rodriguez, former American Academy Principal Pete Gulotta and American Heritage Schools Vice President Leslie Laurie Wood, who reflected on the school’s remarkable journey and commitment to excellence in education over the past 60 years. The event set the stage for a year of celebration, honoring the school’s rich history and looking ahead to its bright future.
Broward Campus Stadium Dedication (August 30, 2024)
American Heritage Schools continues its 60th-anniversary events with the dedication of the newly named Bill Laurie Stadium at the Broward Campus. The festivities included a tailgate party, complete with live music, and continued with a grand ceremony. Former American Academy Principal Pete Gulotta delivered an inspiring address, and the stadium was officially revealed by William R. Laurie, President Dr. Doug Laurie and Vice President Leslie Laurie Wood, who waved to the cheering crowd. The celebration also included performances by the cheerleaders, the marching band and American Heritage dancers, adding to the electrifying atmosphere. The evening concluded with a thrilling football game, marking a memorable start to the 2024-25 school year and commemorating the school’s distinguished 60-year legacy.
For more information about American Heritage Schools and its history of academic excellence, please visit https://www.ahschool.com/60th-anniversary
About American Heritage Schools:
American Heritage Schools is a college preparatory day school for students in PK3-12thgrades, known for academic excellence and top rankings across multiple disciplines. With two 40-acre campuses, one in Broward County and another in Palm Beach County, American Heritage Schools provides a diverse and inclusive environment for almost 5,000 students from more than 100 countries. American Heritage Schools is nationally and internationally accredited by the following associations: Association of Independent Schools of Florida (AISF), Middle States Association (MSA-CESS), and National Council for Private Schools, among others. The Lower School includes advanced classes and 15 electives, and the Upper School offers over 300 courses with 145 honors classes, 31 Advanced Placement classes, and 130 fine arts classes. Pre-professional programs are offered in pre-med, pre-law, pre-engineering, biomedical engineering, business & entrepreneurship, and computer science with classes taught daily by doctors, surgeons, lawyers, judges, engineers, and computer scientists currently practicing in their fields. American Heritage Schools was named No. 1 Private K-12 School in Florida, according to Niche.com, ranks as the No. 1 high school in Florida for the highest number of National Merit Scholars for 15 years, and the No. 1 school in Florida for the most Presidential Scholars. The Math Competition team is No. 1 out of all private schools in the nation, Model UN team is top 3 in the nation, and the Speech and Debate team is in the top 1% in the nation. In their recent “Book of Lists” rankings, South Florida Business Journal (SFBJ) recognized American Heritage Schools as the No. 1 Private School, No. 16 in Corporate Philanthropy in South Florida, and No. 22 Largest Employer in South Florida.
For more information about American Heritage Schools, visit its website atwww.ahschool.com
