3 min read August 2023 — In an interview with Invest:, Doug Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools, discussed the school’s highlights from the past year, including numerous accolades. He also talked about the need to remain at the forefront of innovation. “Many schools are stuck in the past but we are not that type of school,” he said.
What have been some highlights or milestones for American Heritage Schools in the last 12 months?
The Broward campus was the No. 1 private or public school in the state of Florida in National Merit Scholars and Presidential Scholars. It was rated the No. 2 private school in the entire nation in National Merit Scholars. National Merit Scholars need a near-perfect SAT score and near-perfect grades, so it is one of the best academic highlights a student can have. Out of 2,200 high schools in the State of Florida 10% of all National Merit Scholars came from American Heritage Schools. There are so many other accolades as well. We were No. 1 in the nation in math competition. No. 1 in the State of Florida in the International Science and Engineering Competition. Additionally, we were nationally recognized in robotics and also state champions in speech and debate. Also, we had a 94% passing rate in AP exams, one of the highest in the state. All these accolades demonstrate the quality of our education. To top it all off, three AHS alumni were on the Forbes Top “30 under 30” List.
What is the essence of American Heritage School’s success?
There are a few things. Our school’s unique model, run by educators for educators, allows us to make better decisions. Unlike most schools that have boards consisting of non-educators, we have chosen not to have a board. By having educators in key decision-making roles, we can better understand and address the challenges and needs of our school community, ultimately leading to a more effective and student-centered learning environment. We also don’t ask or accept financial gifts or donations, instead we give donations. In fact, we are the 13th most charitables corporation in South Florida, which is impressive. We run completely on tuition, which makes it a clean way to run a school, without the interference of a board or big donors.
Also, you can’t achieve anything without excellent people. Our instructors are the best, bar none. There aren’t too many schools where you are taught Anatomy by a Johns Hopkins Medical School graduate or taught Business Law by a Circuit Court judge. We have five full-time engineers teaching in our engineering program and that is just to name a few. The average teacher has been here for 15 years or longer.
We are also very serious about innovation in our curriculum because we want to remain on the cutting edge with new ideas. We recently started a business incubator class and a 4-year business program that are very successful. They are led by instructors at the head of their fields. We are setting the bar for curriculum and innovation in an ever-changing landscape. We can’t be stuck in the past because we have to look at the future and future jobs needs. Also, we want students to have real-life skills, such as communication and other soft skills, so they are successful and focused going into college and the job market.
How do you ensure you are offering a curriculum that is flexible but useful?
Our schools have a curriculum team of experienced educational leaders who keep us on the cutting edge. The curriculum team consistently learns and adjusts our curriculum to meet the demands of the evolving job market. In our six pre-professional programs, students gain invaluable knowledge and expertise from experienced professionals in various fields such as medicine, law, engineering, computer science, and business. By being taught by medical doctors, attorneys, judges, engineers, computer scientists, business leaders, and entrepreneurs, students not only learn graduate level material but also acquire real-life experience and stay updated with the latest trends in their respective fields. This provides them with a competitive edge and prepares them for success in their future careers.
How are you keeping the community engaged with the school and the work it does?
Our students and teachers volunteer frequently with the Boys and Girls Clubs, which help 12,000 underprivileged students in Broward County. Also, we work with the Lighthouse of Broward, which helps the visually impaired. We work with Kids in Distress and children who are affected by pediatric cancer. We have 20-30 charities that we work with. When Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers and the Naples area, we brought teams of students and truck loads of supplies to help those affected. Our motto is Knowledge, Integrity and Compassion. Compassion is a value that not only needs to be taught but also exhibited through practical actions. By providing opportunities for students to engage in hands-on experiences, they can develop a deeper understanding and empathy towards others.
What are some prevalent challenges in education?
The lack of private schools in Broward County is a significant issue as the demand surpasses the available options. Finding suitable land to build a sizable private school is challenging, considering the need for transportation, food service, and various amenities. It is akin to constructing a small city. The primary challenge lies in the overwhelming demand, resulting in lengthy waitlists. Resolving this issue requires careful planning and substantial resources to meet the demand for quality education in the county.
What is your outlook for the near term and how is that influencing your priorities moving forward?
The outlook for our schools is great. I am a bit concerned about Broward County as a whole. It has had a lot of transitions in leadership and a number of controversies. I hope the public schools take more of an interest in security. For example, they declined a clear backpack policy, which has been very successful at our schools. Also, the housing crisis is serious because South Florida used to be an affordable place to live. With the influx of New Yorkers and Californians post-COVID, housing and rent prices have jumped tremendously. I am concerned about affordable housing because there is little to no room to build. Something needs to be done to provide affordable housing for educators and the service industry or they will get squeezed out. We recently purchased three apartment buildings to rent out at a discount to our employees, so we can help them have an affordable place to live. That will continue to be a necessary priority looking into the future.
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