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,
Thank you for supporting us in having another amazing week. I was impressed with our students who completed the Spanish Placement Test and the seriousness with which they took it. We have a lot of amazing bilingual students!
This Tuesday we will NOT be holding a tutorial after school due to a meeting our teachers must attend. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please make arrangements to pick up your student on time.
This Wednesday we will be holding our New Parent Orientation for incoming sixth graders and students who got in via the Lottery. It starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be in the East Valley Community Center Gymnasium. Please spread the word to your friends and family.
Please note that Friday marks the end of the grading period. This is the halfway mark of the semester. Administration will start meeting with students below the 2.0 GPA mark.
Next Monday, March 16, is a minimum day with a dismissal time of 12:15 p.m. We will be having a Classical Learning Meeting in the evening at 6:30 p.m. in the American Spirit Theater. This is a great opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with our philosophy to better support your kids.
Finally, I want to thank all the parents who continue to follow our pick-up and drop-off procedures even when it is not convenient. It keeps all of our students and staff safe. You all rock! For those of you who are in a hurry and choosing to make a left turn out of our car lane, please be aware that you are putting yourself and others at risk. Please make the right choice, set the example for your student, and keep our campus safe to and from school. I am happy to speak with you individually if you find that these procedures are too onerous.
Thank you.
Go White Tigers!
Sincerely,
Jason Gaylord
Action Items
New Parent Orientation
This Wednesday we will be having a meeting for rising sixth grade families and new families joining the junior high school via way of the lottery. All are welcome, parents and students. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. in the East Valley Community Center. Please spread the word to anyone you know who has a rising sixth grade student or was accepted via the lottery.
Parent Meeting on Classical Learning
Monday, March 16, 2026, the University of Dallas will be presenting to all junior high school families the ins and outs of classical learning. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the American Spirit Theater and is a great way to get acquainted with our philosophy at Heritage Junior High School. We want to see a lot of families. This will help you understand your student's experience better and your ability to support them throughout the school year. We look forward to seeing you there.
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!
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.
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
Sister Project
The next Sister Project event is scheduled for Friday, March 13, from 3:30–5:00 p.m. at the ECHS Student Union. The theme for the event is "flower bouquets." Please bring a snack to share with the group. Please reach out to Mrs. Scaramuzza at jscaramuzza@amhcs.org with any questions.
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 11: New Parent Meeting for rising sixth graders and lottery students (EVCC at 6:00 p.m.)
March 16: Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. Dismissal) / Classical Education Meeting (American Spirit Theater at 6:30 p.m.)
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 p.m. Dismissal)
May 25: Memorial Day (No School)
May 28: Last Day of School / Wooden Wins & Awards Assembly / Promotion / Minimum Day (12:15 p.m. 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.
