Our mission is to develop the hearts and minds of students with a rigorous core curriculum, with a perspective that cherishes timeless virtues and the American spirit.
Principal's Note
Dear Heritage Junior High School Families,
The weeks have been flying by, and they have been going really well! I have been really impressed with the things I see in the classroom; however, I have been more impressed with the behavior and character of our students as a whole. Students have been honest, kind, and regularly demonstrating the "Golden Rule."
That being said, I would like to ask a few favors from you at home.
We have been having a lot of students showing up to school in the wrong outerwear. Sweatshirts need to be maroon, white, or navy with logos no larger than 2x2". I understand that because of the cold weather, laundry piling up, and what is available in stores, this can be challenging. However, I would like to ask you to please do your best to send your student to school in the right uniform and outerwear. It avoids confusion for other students and families.
Additionally, we have had a few students coming to school with unnatural colors in their hair. This is against the dress code and grooming policy. We know that there is a cost to getting your students' hair colored. However, please note that all hair should be naturally colored. We have been flexible on this point, but it adds to confusion for other families and students. Please follow our dress code and grooming policy and make sure that your student's hair is naturally colored.
Finally, please talk to your students about chewing gum on campus. We are noticing that a lot of students are chewing gum because it is ending up on the ground, and we would like to keep our campus clean.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and having these conversations at home. We are in a pretty good place as a school, culture, and community if our biggest concerns are sweatshirts, hair, and gum, but we want to shore up these issues in efforts to be better. We are working toward big goals of making sure your students are successful, which starts with the mission statement and the Parent/Student Handbook.
Please let me know if you have any questions. We appreciate your dedication to American Heritage Charter Schools, and we know our families are special.
Go White Tigers!
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Principal
Action Items
8th Grade Field Trip to Knott's Berry Farm
On Friday, May 1, our eighth grade Heritage Junior High School and Heritage Flex Academy students will be going on a field trip to Knott's Berry Farm! The cost of the field trip is $50 per person, which includes transportation via charter bus and the entrance fee. To access the permission slip and make your payment, please click HERE. Permission slips and payment must be made online no later than Wednesday, March 25. Due to payment deadlines with the venue, we cannot add reservations after the deadline.
If you are interested in chaperoning, please contact the front office so that we can verify the status of your volunteer packet. The cost for chaperones will also be $50 per person.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 760-294-5599. We are here to help!
Order Your Student's Yearbook Before It's Too Late
For the past four years, we have sold out of yearbooks before the last day of school, so get yours while they are still available. You can order your student's 2025/2026 yearbook by clicking HERE.
Announcements
NEW Attendance Email Address
We have launched a new means for parents to communicate student absences. If it is more convenient, please feel free to email us at hjhsattendance@amhcs.org to communicate absences from school. This email may also be used to share dates of extended absences requiring independent study. If you prefer a phone call, we are happy to speak with you at 760-297-5599. We have a voice mail system that will record your message after business hours. We appreciate your continued support in managing attendance at HJHS.
2026-2027 AHCS Calendars
Parents and guardians, the 2026–2027 Calendars
are here. Please feel free to download and/or print this calendar, so that you are in the know about what is coming up next year. Things are moving quickly. What better way to get and be prepared? Go White Tigers!!!
China Summer 2027
Ready to see the world? In the Summer of 2027, Mr. Prodan (ECHS Academic Advisor) will take students and families abroad on an 11-day adventure through China. He has previously taken students through Asia, Europe and South America. With visits to the Forbidden City of Beijing, we will walk on the Great Wall, go to Xi'an to see the Terracotta Warriors, learn about Pandas in Chengdu, visit the banking capital of Shanghai and much more. We will try a dumpling class, learn calligraphy and pick tea. With limited spots available, students don't want to miss this opportunity! We will be having an interest meeting on Thursday, March 12th at 6:30 PM in the ECHS Future Center. Please RSVP for the meeting here. Note: This is not a school-sponsored trip.
Wooden Wins
Each month we will be focusing on a virtue to develop the hearts and minds of our students. March's virtue is Poise, which means just being yourself, being at ease in any situation, and never fighting yourself. Here is a link to the poster. We will recognize our Poise award recipients at our Wooden Wins Assembly on March 27, 2026, at the EVCC.
Breakfast & Lunch Meal Program
Heritage Junior is now offering free breakfast and free lunch for ALL students. Breakfast
is available from 7:35–8:00 a.m. each morning and must be picked up BEFORE school. Students may eat their breakfast before class begins or during the morning nutrition break, but eating is not allowed in the classrooms.
Every student may receive a complete, nutritious breakfast and a complete lunch at absolutely no charge. There is no need to sign up, complete any forms or submit income applications; every student is automatically eligible. Finally, we will provide balanced, delicious meals that meet all federal and state nutrition guidelines. A menu will be shared in advance for families to consider for the upcoming week. March's menu is included below.
If your student has any dietary restrictions or allergies, please use the following forms to communicate your child's needs. Please note that it may take up to two weeks to accommodate your request.
Medical Statement Form: This form is for any meal accommodation requests (allergies, intolerance, other medical needs) and it must be signed by a medical professional. The exception to needing a medical professional's signature would be for any religious preferences, such as no pork or no meat.
Fluid Milk Substitution Form: This form can be filled out and signed by the parent or guardian. This form is for when Lactaid milk, soy milk, or oak milk is required or preferred by a student.
We look forward to serving our students healthy and delicious meals each day and welcome you to contact the front office at 760-294-5599 with any questions.
Reminders
School Hours
Monday: 8:05 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday: 8:05 a.m. to 3:05 p.m.
Tutorial is offered Tuesday through Friday 3:10-3:50 p.m.
Attendance Reminder
If a student is absent or will be late for school, please contact the front office at 760-294-5599. We have an answering machine, so calls made before or after school hours will be recorded. For the safety of our students, it is important that all students are accounted for by 8:30 a.m. each morning. For absences due to illness, students must be fever free without medication for 24 hours before returning to school. Thank you for your support and assistance.
Punctuality Reminder
We need all of our parents’ support to ensure students arrive at school no later than 7:55 a.m. Students are able to arrive at school as early as 7:35 a.m. The expectation is for all students to be unpacked, seated, and ready to learn when the bell rings at 8:05 a.m. Being on time (or early!) is a sign of respect. Thanks for your support!
Drop-off and Pick-up
Enter at the southwest corner of the parking lot, drive straight to the East Valley Community Center, make a left and drive to the front of HJHS for drop-off/pick-up. See the traffic map here. Please be patient as the first few weeks are very busy.
Parents, please make sure that you are following our traffic pattern for drop-off and pick-up. Most of our families do a great job helping us by following the rules of the road in our drop-off and pick-up areas. Please note that these rules and regulations are in place to keep you, your students, and staff safe. Additionally, these guidelines are in place to keep our neighbors safe and able to use the roadways as designed. Please support us by following the rules and the law. We really appreciate your help!
Dress Code
All students are expected to wear uniforms. Please refer to the Heritage Junior High School Dress Code here for more details. Students may wear American Heritage Charter Schools (AHCS) spirit-wear every Friday. Please feel free to use this link to purchase uniform tops throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Tutorial
On August 26, 2025, HJHS started holding tutorials. Tutorial will be regularly held Tuesday through Friday after school from 3:10-3:50 p.m. Please use this linkfor reference. Students staying for tutorial, must remain on campus. They may not leave and come back to campus. If you would like to know if your student attended, please contact the front desk. We have students sign in every day for tutorial. If you need your student to leave early, then you must sign them out in the front office like a regular school day. Please note that tutorial is a privilege and students attending must be prepared to work on homework or ask for help. Tutorial will not run on modified or minimum days. Please feel encouraged to contact your student's teacher if you would like them to address specific needs.
Mark your calendars!
March 4: Spanish Placement on Campus
March 16: Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal)
March 20: 7th Grade Field Trip to Medieval Times
March 27: Wooden Wins Assembly
March 30–April 6: Easter Break (No School)
April 24: Wooden Wins Assembly
April 28–May 8: State Testing
May 22–May 27: Spring Final Exams and Minimum Day (12:15 Dismissal)
May 25: Memorial Day (No School)
May 28: Last Day of School / Wooden Wins & Awards Assembly / Promotion / Minimum Day (12:15 Dismissal)
We appreciate you taking the time to read this important message. We want to encourage you to check for this email weekly and call the front office if you have any additional questions.
