Monday (10/20), Winter Sports Night Monday (10/20) — Friday (10/24), Homecoming Spirit Week Tuesday (10/21), NHS Blood Drive Friday (10/24), Homecoming Football Game Saturday (10/25), Homecoming Dance Wednesday (10/29), Grade 10 College Bound Seminar Friday (10/31), Co-Curricular Pep Ralley (Assembly Bell Schedule) Tuesday (11/11), Veterans Day (No School) Wednesday (11/12), Veterans Day Assembly (Assembly Bell Schedule) Friday (11/14), End of the Third Grading Period Wednesday (11/19), 26-27 ECHS Program Information Night Friday (11/21), Saxon Day (Saxon Day Bell Schedule) Monday (11/24) — Friday (11/28), Thanksgiving Vacation
NEW & TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION
2025 ECHS Homecoming UPDATE: Due to overwhelming demand, ticket sales have now closed! We are so excited to host our students for this dance. To ensure that every student has the best possible experience, please carefully review the following information regarding the dance:
A student's reservation for the dance is NOT CONFIRMED until they have obtained their ticket. Students may collect their tickets during lunch at the clock tower on the following dates: October 14-17 and 21-24.
Every student and parent is required to carefully review the dress code outlined in the sign-up form. Students failing to adhere to the dress code will be denied entry to the dance. No refunds will be issued if a student is refused entry.
Students must present identification (typically their school ID card or driver's license) and their ticket for admission to the dance. Students from other schools must also present valid identification.
Spirit Week GET YOUR SPIRIT READY, Charter Scholars! Spirit Week will be from October 20 to 24. Let’s come together, have some fun, and show pride in our school. Here are the themes for each day:
Monday, October 20 — USA DAY — Dress Patriotically Tuesday, October 21 — HAWAIIAN DAY — Wear your best beach/surfer look! Wednesday, October 22 — WILD WEST DAY — Boots, hats, and Western all day long! Thursday, October 23 — GREASE vs. GREECE DAY — Leather jackets or laurel crowns. Friday, October 24 — JUNGLE DAY — Wear camo or animal print to make the day wild!
Please ensure all costumes and outfits comply with the Charter dress code (see handbook). Let's make this a memorable week! We can't wait to see your creativity and school pride on display.
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)
Halloween Costume Reminder As a reminder, ECHS does not allow students to dress up in costume on Halloween. Students will be sent home if they arrive in any sort of costume attire. Please plan accordingly.
Winter Sports Night Are you interested in sports at ECHS this winter? Our Athletics Department would like Please Join us Monday, October 20 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm at Escondido Charter High School American Spirit Theater as we provide important information about our sports programs and for our athletic department. This will be a great opportunity to connect with all of our coaches and athletic department staff.
(All winter athletes and parents must attend this event before participating in an ECHS winter sport.) We are often asked, “I have attended these events before, Do I need to attend again?” The answer is,"Yes. We will be providing you with changes from AMHCS and CIF so it is important that all parents,student-athletes,and coaches attend."
PARENTS
San Diego Gulls Join us for an exciting night of hockey and community spirit at Pechanga Arena on Saturday, November 15, at 6:00 p.m. as we cheer on the San Diego Gulls during their Military Appreciation Night!
This event supports the Escondido Charter High School Parent Volunteer Organization, and your participation helps fund student programs and staff appreciation activities. Plus, if we sell 75+ tickets, our group will be featured in a special on-ice photo opportunity — don’t miss it! Click the link to reserve your tickets!
Progressive Dinner Progressive Dinner is on Saturday, December 6, this year! We will load up on buses, travel to the homes of ECHS families, eat food, carol in neighborhoods, and then return to the campus for some socializing and dessert. More information will be coming out in the Charter Notes in the coming weeks. Ticket sales will begin the week of November 3. If your family can host 50 students for appetizers or the entrée, please let Ms. Young know at kyoung@amhcs.org.
Parent Volunteer Organization The PVO has a fundraising event and is selling Pizza/Drink combination tickets for $5.00 at the Winter sports night on October 20.
LOTTERY & ENROLLMENT
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 at https://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 at https://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 at https://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.
ACADEMIC & STUDENT SERVICES INFORMATION
Grade 10 College Bound Seminar Sophomore students and parents are encouraged to attend the Grade 10 College Bound Seminar on Wednesday, October 29, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. It will be hosted by our ECHS Student Services team. Topics include: the career exploration process, college information, paying for college, and more.
EUHSD College & Career Fair The Escondido Union High School District College & Career Fair will be Tuesday, October 14, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Escondido High School. More than 60 colleges will be in attendance along with information booths on financial aid, CTE programs and CSU/UC admission requirements. There will also be food vendors and opportunity drawings. More information can be found here.
Christian College Fair Maranatha will be hosting a Christian College Fair on Tuesday, October 14, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. More than 20 colleges will be in attendance. More information can be found here.
AP Testing Deposit There are only two weeks left to submit your AP testing deposit of $40. All deposits are due by Monday, November 3. AP testing is in May, but tests must be ordered in the fall. If you are planning to take an AP test, make sure you log into your College Board account, join the class/test, and then submit your deposit using this link. For questions, email Mrs. Dunlap at edunlap@amhcs.org
or visit her in D-201.
College Visits ECHS is offering on campus college visits. Sign up for the HQ presentations using the link below No sign up is needed for lunch presentations, just swing by their table in the quad.
Wednesday October 22: 12:30 - 12:55 - University of Arizona - Sign up HERE Wednesday, October 29: 12:30 -12:55 - UC San Diego - Sign up HERE Thursday, October 30: 10:30 - 11:00 - UC Santa Barbara - Sign up HERE
PROJECT NEXT
Project Next Career Coaching Ms. Osorio, our Career Coach with Project Next, is here to support students with their next steps after high school. She is available on Mondays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Tuesdays through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the ECHS Future Center. Check out the menu of services here, book an appointment here, or email her at tatiana@projectnext.org. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay updated on events and opportunities throughout the year at echs_futurecenter.
Don't forget to check out our upcoming events !
-Adulting Workshop:Time Management: Thursday, October 23, at 12:40 p.m. in the Future Center
-Public Safety Management Career Chat: (includes MiraMar Public Safety Management Bachelors overview) — Thursday, October 30, at 1:15 p.m. in the Future Center
-Palomar Trades Day: Thursday, November 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Palomar College in San Marcos (students must turn in permission slip by Monday, October 20 at 3:00 p.m. to be included on the list)
Heart Screening In honor of Titus Wininger, a AHCS friend whose life was tragically cut short by an undetected heart condition, we’re hosting FREE heart screenings for anyone ages 12–25.
Where: Escondido Charter High School When: Saturday, December 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Walk-ins 10:00 to 2:00) Registration: Register at epsavealife.org/get-screened *No ID or insurance is required, and the screening is 100% FREE.
Join us in protecting young hearts and honoring Titus’s legacy.
Cheer Get ready for a night of fun and friendly competition at Dancing with the Teachers! Join us on Tuesday, November 18, at 7:00 p.m. as your favorite teachers team up with ECHS Cheer to show off their best moves. You won’t want to miss the laughter, surprises, and show-stopping performances! More information regarding ticket sales will be announced soon!
Sister Project Hygiene Drive The Sister Project will be making kits at our November event, and is sponsoring a hygiene drive. You’ll earn a 1/2 hour of community service for every 4 items donated, with a maximum of 3 hours per person earned. All items will be donated to Interfaith. Drop them off in Mrs. Scaramuzza’s room, F-103. Items needed: travel size shampoo, bar soaps, razors, deodorant, personal wet wipes, tissues, lip balm, etc.
Town and Country Town and Country will meet on Tuesday, October 28. Please get a permission slip from the front office or the future center, and bring it with you the first time you attend to volunteer. A new permission slip is needed each year. This is a community service opportunity.
National Honor Society Blood Drive Our first Blood Drive will be Tuesday, October 21, from 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. To sign up, go to redcrossblood.org
and select the correct drive, then sign up for a time slot. Soon, there will be flyers with QR codes to use as well. If you successfully donate, you will receive 1 hour of community service, and will be excused from class during that period of time. You will also get a free T-shirt. You must be 16 and have a signed permission slip in order to donate. See Mrs. Dixon-Reister for the permission slip or more information.
Travel to BELIZE 2026 You are invited to TRAVEL WITH US TO BELIZE JUNE 2026! We have spots left for our trip to Belize. Come explore ancient ruins, zipline through wonder, ride a tube through a cave, visit the Belize zoo and so much more! Guaranteed fun! This is not a school sponsored trip. Everyone is welcome to join including families! The trip is all inclusive: airfare, lodging, meals, and activities. Email Ms. Sanchez tsanchez@amhcs.org to get on the interest list and check out this link for the complete details and to sign up.
Community Service Opportunity Heritage Elementary's ELO-Program is looking for high school volunteers. Volunteers will help students with homework as well as aiding teachers in a variety of classes such as coding, 3d printing, art, dance and more! If you are interested in helping our youngest White Tigers and earning community service hours, please click on this link.
ATHLETICS
ECHS Athletics Please check our athletics website, for the latest updates! You may also contact our athletic department at echsathletics@amhcs.org, if you have any questions. We look forward to sharing with you as we Play As One!
ISPE If you are enrolled in ISPE this year, please click on the link that correlates to your program TCP
or CLP
to input your hours. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Mallie at mgreen@amhcs.org.
Co-Curricular Eligibility Policy The ECHS Co-Curricular Eligibility Policy has been recently updated. To review the policy, click HERE.
OUR MISSION IS TO DEVELOP THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF OUR STUDENTS THROUGH A RIGOROUS CORE CURRICULUM WITH A PERSPECTIVE THAT CHERISHES TIMELESS VIRTUES AND THE AMERICAN SPIRIT.
