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Head of School

Grant Beckwith

Mr. Beckwith joined American Heritage School in 2005 as principal of the American Fork campus and now serves as the Head of School overseeing the school’s three campuses: American Fork, Salt Lake City, and American Heritage Worldwide. Prior to joining American Heritage School’s administration, Mr. Beckwith was an attorney practicing corporate law for the Washington D.C. office of Nixon Peabody LLP. A member of the Utah Bar, the Virginia Bar, and the District of Columbia Bar, Mr. Beckwith is a graduate of the BYU Law School and also holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in accountancy and information systems from the BYU Marriott School of Management. Mr. Beckwith has lived and worked in Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), New York City, and Washington D.C., and grew up in various parts of the United States including Utah, California, Texas, Florida, and Wisconsin. Mr. Beckwith serves in leadership roles for a number of volunteer organizations including on the Board of Governors of the Northwest Association of Independent Schools, the Board of Directors of the Younique Foundation (a non-profit organization devoted to inspiring and empowering children and women who are victims of sexual abuse), and on the Board of Trustees of the Park City Day School. Mr. Beckwith is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a Latter-day Saint mission in St. Petersburg, Russia, from 1993-1995. He and his wife Candice live in Alpine and are the parents of four children (two graduates of AHS and the younger two still attending). In addition to his responsibilities as Head of School, Mr. Beckwith enjoys teaching a high school seminar each year entitled “Principles of Leadership.” The Beckwiths are deeply honored and grateful to be involved with the mission of American Heritage School, and to associate with the many extraordinary families who are drawn to it.

Principal

Leland Anderson

Leland Anderson is the principal of the Salt Lake City Campus of American Heritage School. He and his family recently returned from Shenzhen, China, where Leland was the Head of School at Shenzhen RDF International School, which tripled its enrollment and added many academic and extracurricular programs under his leadership. Prior to his employment in China, Leland worked for American Heritage School in American Fork, Utah, as a high school principal, assistant principal, and a co-director of AHS Worldwide. Leland graduated from Harvard University with a master’s degree in school leadership. He taught English at Oak Canyon Junior High School in Lindon, Utah. He also holds a Bachelor of English Teaching and a minor in Management from Brigham Young University. Leland and his wife, Gina, are the parents of six children, all of whom have attended AHS (three now in college and three still attending). Mr. Anderson says, “Salt Lake Valley was my boyhood home. I am thrilled to help establish an American Heritage School in Salt Lake City.”

Admissions Director

 Kristen Jansen

Kristen Jansen comes to American Heritage Schools as a Utah transplant, with Texas roots. She attended Texas Tech University and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing. Kristen has experience in the financial sector, communications, small business ownership, teaching, and school administration. She comes from multi-generations of educators, who have influenced her love of learning and her enterprising work ethic. She is the mother of three daughters and one son,  all who attend American Heritage School, at the American Fork campus. Kristen’s passions include hiking, photography, traveling, and being with her family and dogs. She especially loves helping youth “learn to lead” and providing them with opportunities to fulfill their potential. Kristen values her association with such an inspiring and faith-based academic institution as AHS.