Heritage has dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Heritage is also a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, and the College Board.

HA – High Moral Standards and Academic Excellence

 Heritage Academy is a college preparatory school that inspires,challenges, and motivates its students as it prepares them for college and for life. 

Enrollment

Heritage is a co-educational, non-denominational school for grades preK – 12 with an enrollment of approximately 475 students.

Academics

In 2018, graduates were awarded over $3,000,000 in scholarships.

Heritage sends 100% of the student body to colleges and universities nationwide, including Ivy League schools, Military Academies, and other prestigious institutions of higher learning. Nine of ten Heritage students get into the first university of their choice.

All of our classes are college preparatory. In addition to our core courses, advanced courses, and electives, Heritage offers Advanced Placement and Dual Credit / Dual Enrollment courses. Heritage students taking advanced and dual credit courses are often eligible to receive college credit or waive required college courses. 

STEM Entrepreneurial Mindset
Grades 3-12

Welcome to a whole new way to teach and learn at the secondary level. Pitsco Education STEM curriculum solutions have been developed to help ensure that students are succeeding every day. Students in more than 4,000 schools nationwide are benefiting from our unique systemic methodology. Through a combination of standards-based multimedia curriculum, hands-on activities, teacher training, and unique learning  environment, students have the opportunity to succeed in a classroom that’s unlike any other. 

The system has proven successful in thousands of schools across the country. Both anecdotal and scientific evidence show that our hands-on, project-based curriculum titles help students succeed in the STEM disciplines in measurable ways. Increased math and science scores, reduced absenteeism, and gender equity are just a few of the powerful ways our curricula can affect a school and its students. 

625 Magnolia Lane, Columbus, MS  39705

Heritage is well equipped for the information age, committed not only philosophically, but also technologically.  All of our classrooms are equipped with projectors, which allow connectivity to both staff and student computers. Other technology, such as laptops, iPods, iPads, and video cameras, are integrated into the curriculum on a daily basis to support instruction.

Heritage 9-12th grade students are part of the 1:1 iPad initiative. With this outstanding program in place, our students have technology at the point of instruction and teachers seamlessly merge technology into the daily instructional process. Interactive (SMART) boards are present throughout all grade levels helping to transform computers into powerful interactive teaching tools. Students are taught Internet research skills starting at the elementary level that allow them to effectively research everything from current events to ancient civilizations. Heritage is an Apple Distinquished School.

Technology continues to be integrated at all levels, from our pre-K classes up through high school. While the number of computer labs and the accessibility to technology equipment is important, we encourage parents to examine how this technology is being used in the classroom to fully understand how it impacts the learning process.

Our Director of Instructional Technology is Janet Lewis. She may be reached at jlewis@heritagepatriots.com

Total Scholarships Offered to Class of 2018 = $3.2 million (and counting)

 School Average ACT = 25  

This is an exciting time for Heritage Academy.  The Class of 2018 is the 46^th class to graduate since the school was founded in 1964, and we are proud of the foundations laid, the progress made and the old & new traditions that resonate the spirit of Heritage

Building on a strong past, I encourage you to reflect on some meaningful firsts that shaped the end of the 2017-2018 school year:

·       Inaugural Graduate Cap & Gown parade through the elementary.

·       The resurrection of the All Sports Banquet.

·       First Valedictorian tie in recent history.

·       Inceptual appearance of Robotics team at Ole Miss Catapult Competition – garnered two 3rd place finishes.

·       SeaPerch Underwater Robot Competition at MSU by 6^th graders – achieved 4^th overall.

·       HA students took STEM* Entrepreneurship exam through the University of Iowa.

   22 earned 3 hours of Engineering credit from U of I.

   5 of those Entrepreneur class students scored in the top 10% nationally and were named STEM Innovator Scholars.

·       First time in school history Heritage won the MAIS AAA All Sports Award!  This award is based on post-season advancements for all sports.

Sprinkled throughout the school year were other significant firsts that distinguished our students and school:

·       Martha Claire Kennedy Fitzner Hall completed.  First major new building constructed at Heritage since 1995. 

·       Partnership with Pitsco Education, StartUp Genius and the University of Iowa to infuse an entrepreneurial mindset in grades 3 – 12 through STEAM** and STEM based experiences and courses.  Student ownership of learning was greatly enhanced.

·       First time the Aspire test was administered digitally at the elementary – reflects the strength of our technology infrastructure.

·       State of the art Biology lab at high school invigorated laboratory experiences.

·       First year in memory that Heritage boasts two Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce Teachers of the Year – Susan Baird (Elem.) and Lynne Sneed (HS)

·       Beginning of the Todd Weathers Memorial Award presentation tradition.

·       More than 80% of our faculty became Apple Teacher Certified as we prepare for 2018-2019 Apple Distinguished School recognition for our 1 : 1 iPad program at the high school.

Heritage Academy once again proves itself among the best Independent Schools in the MAIS and beyond.  We thank all involved with the school – teachers, parents, grandparents, support staff, administrators, alumni and community friends – for the encouragement and motivation you stimulate in our students. This was truly a memorable year at Heritage!

* STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

** STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics