In 1992, the California State Legislature passed the Charter Schools Act, which allowed for the formation of independent public schools that were free from many of the bureaucratic burdens placed on regular district schools. These schools were required to operate under a “charter” granted by a local school district and now are commonly referred to as “charter schools”.
Shortly thereafter, AHCS’s founder and CEO, Dennis “Coach” Snyder, decided to create a new type of public school. This school would focus on academic achievement, learning fundamentals (reading, writing , math and science) and character development based on our American heritage and its ideals of honesty, integrity, individual initiative and service to others. Coach Snyder had spent 30 years as a teacher and football coach in the Escondido High School District. In 1996, Coach Snyder founded Escondido Charter High School (ECHS), the first American Heritage Charter School.
To better serve parents and students that are interested in a technology-focused and blended learning curriculum, American Heritage Charter Schools launched The Heritage Digital Academy Program in 2010. This program provides students grades 6-12 with a classroom-based, technology-focused, blended learning program. Since its inception, the program has grown rapidly, starting with 90 students and increasing to current enrollment of over 350 students.
www.escondidocharter.org - 10833 - American Heritage Charter Schools
