We hope you enjoy the long weekend! Just a reminder that school will be closed on Monday, October 13, in observance of Columbus Day.
We’re also excited to announce that the lottery for the 2026–2027 school year opens this Tuesday! Please take a moment to review the important information below to ensure you complete the correct steps for your child.
Lottery Information for the 2026–2027 School Year
Only new students, including new siblings of currently enrolled students, need to enter the lottery.
Here’s a quick guide by grade level:
Current TK Students: You do not need to enter the lottery. You will receive a Letter of Intent form to indicate your preferred Kindergarten campus — either Heritage Elementary School or Heritage Flex Academy.
Current K–7 Students at Heritage Flex Academy: You do not need to enter the lottery if you plan to continue at HFA.
If you are considering transferring to Heritage Elementary School or Heritage Junior High School, you will need to enter the lottery for those schools.
If you’re interested in switching program paths within HFA (for example, moving from Home Learning to Hybrid, or from the Red Path to the Blue Path), you’ll be able to indicate that preference on the Returning Student Registration Form in January, after the Christmas break.
Current 8th Grade Students: You do not need to enter the lottery. You will receive a High School Letter of Intent form to indicate your plans for next year.
Thank you for taking the time to stay informed and engaged as we prepare for another great year ahead.
Enjoy the long weekend and we’ll see you back on Tuesday!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sandi Knapp
Principal, Heritage Flex Academy
AMERICAN HERITAGE CHARTER SCHOOLS
2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR LOTTERY INFORMATION
Lotteries for the 2026-2027 school year will open on October 14, 2025 for all programs. Applications are not required for currently enrolled students, but new siblings must submit a lottery application.
Escondido Charter High School: Lottery applications for enrollment in the high school programs are available online athttps://amhcs.org/echs/echs-admissions/. The Escondido Charter High school lottery closes on January 9, 2026. Please contact the main office at 760-737-3154 if you have any questions.
Heritage Elementary School: Lottery applications are available online athttps://amhcs.org/heritage-elementary-school/hes-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Elementary office at 760-737-3111 if you have any questions.
Heritage Junior High: Lottery applications are available online at https://amhcs.org/heritage-junior-high-school/hjhs-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Junior High office at 760-294-5599 if you have any questions.
Heritage Flex Academy: Lottery applications are available online athttps://amhcs.org/hfa/hfa-admissions/. The lottery closes on February 6, 2026. Please contact the Heritage Flex Academy office at 760-466-1166 if you have any questions.
NEW & TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION
THIS WEDNESDAY JOIN US FOR CONSORTIO: PARTNERING WITH PARENTS: We are excited to invite you to Consortio: Partnering with Parents—a monthly gathering created to inspire, encourage, and support you on your parenting and educational journey.
Join us on Wednesday, October 15 at 8:30 AM in the 1845/TK Building for a special event: Teacher Spotlight – Wisdom from the Classroom. In our Consortio events, we are gathering voices from all corners of classical education to hear how these ideas look in a variety of different places. We are delighted to have Heritage Elementary School teacher Mrs. Sarah Scarpello share how a classical approach to education has deeply impacted both her and her students in meaningful ways in her classroom. Additionally, Mrs. Meagan Roberge, a teacher at Heritage Flex Academy and former student of classical education, will reflect on how this approach shaped her as a student and now informs her approach in her classroom.
Come be encouraged by their stories and insights from the classroom. If you have any questions, please contact Jill at jthomas@amhcs.org
8TH GRADE GIRLS!! SISTER PROJECT EVENT: The next event is on Friday, October 17 from 3:30-5:00 pm in the ECHS student union. It’s a fall theme and you will be painting pumpkins. Feel free to bring your own small pumpkin/paints. They will provide small plastic pumpkins for those that don't bring one in. Like always, they will provide pizza and water, but are asking you to bring a snack to share with the group.
ATTENTION ALL K-5 PARENTS AND STUDENTS!: Come join us as we share, make connections, and learn together at our next Consortio: Learning Together on Monday, October 27, in the HFA Courtyard. Be sure to save all future dates found on this Consortio: Learning Together Calendar. If you have any questions, please reach out to Gina at gcurley@amhcs.org.
CONSORTIO BOOK CLUB: **Save the Date!** Join us for our Consortio: Reading Together Book Club! Starting Monday, November 3, during power hour (8:30 - 9:30), we'll begin exploring the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt in our monthly book club. Join us to discuss what the data shows our adolescents and teens are facing, both in causes and effects. Spoiler: the last chapter is titled "What Parents Can Do Now." See this clip for a glimpse of our topic.
These monthly gatherings will provide a space to share practical strategies for building the practice of good mental health in our children. The anticipated dates we will have through the year are as follows: 11/3, 12/1, 1/26/2026, 2/23, 3/9, & 4/13. Sign up here
to join us for our first session and/or have your name on the announcements list.
PARENTS WHO WANT TO VOLUNTEER: All volunteers must fill out the required Volunteer Application (a new one every year) and submit it at least one week in advance of their volunteer date. This applies to anyone working directly with the students. All paperwork will need to be reviewed and approved by the principal before volunteering. Unfortunately, this means we can not accommodate last-minute volunteers. Additionally, all volunteers working with students must have a current TB test or screening on file. Thank you so much for your help in ensuring a smooth process.
AHCS MUSICAL THEATER PRESENTS THE WIZARD OF OZ:
Ready to see a musical that will give you all the feels? Join us as AHCS students of all ages showcase their talents in this year’s production of The Wizard of Oz! This show is guaranteed to make your heart grow three sizes, and you’ll quickly realize there's no place like theater. Just follow the yellow brick road to a show packed with heart, brains, and courage, incredible songs, and spectacular sights. Tickets are on sale now, with shows at the American Spirit Theater on the Escondido Charter High School campus from November 6-9. Check out the show times below, and click here
to purchase your tickets. It's a gale-force of fun you won't want to miss!
SHOWTIMES
Thursday, November 6*
4:30 p.m. (EMERALD CAST)
*ECHS Students $6 cash at the door while supplies last
Friday, November 7
7:00 p.m. (RUBY CAST)
Saturday, November 8
2:00 p.m. (RUBY CAST)
7:00 p.m. (EMERALD CAST)
Sunday, November 9
2:00 p.m. (EMERALD CAST)
7:00 p.m. (RUBY CAST)
THIS WEEK AT HFA
Monday, October 13:
No School- Columbus Day
Tuesday, October 14:
AHCS Lottery Opens Today!
H.E.R.O. Training: see your teacher’s weekly email for specific details.
Wednesday, October 15:
H.E.R.O. Training: see your teacher’s weekly email for specific details.
Thursday, October 16:
Jr High Boys Flag Football/Girl's Volleyball Game @ San Pasqual Union Elementary School (Varsity @ 2:30, JV @ 3:30)
H.E.R.O. Training: see your teacher’s weekly email for specific details.
Friday, October 17:
End of the Grading Period, grades 4-8
Sister Project Event for 8th Grade Girls
H.E.R.O. Training: see your teacher’s weekly email for specific details.
OCTOBER
INITIATIVE
I take initiative. I do the right thing without being told. I am willing to work hard and take personal responsibility. I am courageous and learn from my mistakes.
“We must not be afraid to act. If we are afraid to do something for fear of making a mistake, we will not do anything at all. That is the worst mistake of all. You learn through adversity. We get stronger through adversity.” -Coach John Wooden
ACADEMIC ADVISORS CONNECTION
Thank you for your hard work at home. Your effort makes such a difference in your child’s life.
Conferences started last Monday. It is a great time to meet with your child’s classroom teacher and share those successes and challenges, sync up what is working well, and then build on those successes. AAs are not usually part of your conferences with the teachers. If you would like to meet with your Academic Advisors, please contact us through the emails linked below to schedule a meeting. We are always eager to support you throughout your homeschool journey.
Week 10 is already here, and our October conferences begin next week! Conferences will run Monday, October 20 - Tuesday, October 29. Please watch for the email going out this week to confirm your scheduled time, and let me know if you need to make any adjustments.
Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s successes, discuss challenges, and work together to build on what’s going well. I look forward to meeting with you!
Autumn Festival at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Weekends in October are extra fun for families at the Safari Park. If you have passes or are taking advantage of Kids Free October, it's worth experiencing the free corn maze, live performers, themed food and drink, and fall decor throughout the park. If anyone is interested in coordinating a meet-up with other families, please let us know. [The San Diego Zoo also hosts HalGLOWeen nights for those interested]
