Our Story

A Foundation Built on a Parent's Perspective

It was the birth of his son that inspired National Heritage Academies' founder, J.C. Huizenga, to begin thinking about education from a parent’s perspective. A successful entrepreneur, Huizenga had a vision to provide a quality education to all children by applying basic business principles to establish a system of schools that was more accountable and results oriented.

Founded on the four pillars of academic excellence, moral focus, parental partnership, and student responsibility, National Heritage Academies’ first school, Excel Charter Academy, opened its doors to 174 students in September, 1995

Charter Schools are:

Public Schools
Free to the public (no tuition or fees)
Voluntary enrollment (makes the school accountable)
Managed by Educational Service Providers like NHA.
Sponsored by state-approved institutions known as "authorizers" or "sponsors" (state boards of education, state universities, community colleges, or local school districts)