Privacy Policy
This Privacy Policy applies to all businesses, shared joint venture partnership schools (“JV Schools”), and Licensed Curriculum holders associated with American High School LLC (referred to as “AHS” or “we”). This policy describes how AHS collects, uses, shares, and protects the personal data you provide. It also explains your choices regarding the use, access, and changes to your personal data.
Data Collection and Use:
AHS collects your personal data only for the purpose of providing the services you have requested. We will not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
Third-Party Service Providers:
If a third-party company provides a related service to support our service (for example, language translation), we require those third-party companies to meet our security standards and comply with applicable legislation. We do not transfer your data to external organizations without your consent.
Device Usage and Data Collection
This Privacy Policy applies to the information we collect when you use our website (americanhighschool.org), Learning Management System (LMS) portals, mobile app, or any other service provided by American High School LLC (“AHS”). We refer to these collectively as “the Site and Services”.
“Device” means any computer used to access the Site and Services, including desktops, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
The Site and Services do not include third-party products or services for which separate privacy policies are provided. We encourage you to review those policies if you choose to integrate them with our services.
By using the Site and Services, you:
- Acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
- Consent to the collection and use of your personal information as described in this policy.
- Confirm you have the authority to provide us with any information submitted through the Site, including information belonging to others.
How We Keep Your Information Safe
- We do not sell your data or student data. Your privacy is our top priority, and we will never sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
- We do not own the content you share; you do. You retain full ownership of any content you create or upload to our platform. We only use it to provide and improve our services as agreed upon in our Terms of Service.
- We use the latest security best practices to protect you. We implement industry-standard security measures, including encryption and access controls, to safeguard your data from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our security protocols are regularly reviewed and updated to address evolving threats.
- We are compliant with FERPA, COPPA, among other privacy laws. We adhere to all applicable federal and state privacy laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This ensures we handle student data responsibly and protect the privacy of minors.
- We are transparent about our practices and will let you know if things change. Our Privacy Policy is publicly accessible and clearly explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your data. We will notify you of any material changes to our practices through prominent notices on our website or via email.
- We do not advertise in our LMS. Your experience with our platform is ad-free, allowing for a focused and distraction-free learning environment.
Protecting Children’s Privacy (COPPA)
American High School LLC (“AHS”) is committed to protecting the privacy of all students, including those who attend our accredited online school directly and those enrolled through our partner institutions. We comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and only collect personal information from children under 13 when:
- Direct Student Enrollment: For students enrolled directly with AHS, we obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information.
- Partner Institution Authorization: When working with partner institutions that enroll students under 13, we only collect information with explicit consent and authorization from both the institution and the parent or guardian.
Limited Data Collection & Use:
In all cases, we collect, use, and process children’s data solely for the purpose of providing educational services as agreed upon with the relevant school or institution. We only collect the minimum amount of information necessary to fulfill these purposes.
Parental Rights & Control:
Parents have the right to:
- Review, modify, or delete their child’s information: If your child is enrolled directly with AHS, please contact our support team at [email protected] For students enrolled through a partner institution, please contact them directly.
- Withdraw consent for further data processing: If you wish to withdraw consent for us to collect and process your child’s information, please contact the relevant school or institution.
Please note: We encourage parents to actively participate in their children’s online activities and to review our Privacy Policy together.
Protecting Student Data (FERPA & State Laws)
American High School LLC (“AHS”) understands the importance of protecting student data and complies with all applicable federal and state laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Working with Schools: We partner with schools and educational institutions to provide our services. In this context, we may collect “Student Data” – information related to students’ academic performance, attendance, and other education-related records.
- Data Use & Sharing: We use Student Data solely for the purpose of providing and improving our services to the partnering school or institution. We do not share Student Data with third parties for any other purpose without the explicit consent of the school and in accordance with FERPA regulations.
Your Rights Regarding Your Data (Students):
- Access, Update, & Correct: You have the right to access, update, and correct your personal information held by AHS. You can do this by logging into your account or contacting our Customer Support team.
- Contacting Your School: For any questions regarding your Student Data or how your school utilizes it, please contact your school’s administration directly. They are responsible for managing your data in accordance with FERPA and other applicable laws.
Data We Collect
We collect personal information to provide you with a personalized and effective learning experience. Here’s what we gather:
Account Information:
- Name: To address you personally and identify your account.
- Email Address: For communication, account access, and sending important updates.
- Phone Number (optional): To provide support and send SMS notifications (if you choose to opt-in).
- Address (for billing or shipping, if applicable): For processing payments or sending physical materials.
Academic Information:
- Current (or Former) School: To understand your educational context and personalize content recommendations.
- Grading Information (optional): To track progress and provide targeted support, if you choose to share this information.
Usage Data: We may collect information about how you use our platform (e.g., pages visited, courses accessed) to improve our services and understand your learning needs.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to provide you with a personalized experience, communicate effectively, and operate our services efficiently. This includes our role as both data controller (managing our own data) and data processor (processing data on behalf of our customers).
Providing and Improving Services:
- Verifying your identity and account access.
- Delivering relevant content and resources based on your needs.
- Responding to your inquiries and providing support.
Account Management:
- Managing your account settings and preferences.
- Sending you important notifications about updates, changes, or security matters.
Customer Data Processing (Data Processor): If you are a customer using our Services, we act as a data processor for the personal information you input through the platform on behalf of yourself and your Authorized Users. This means:
- We process personal data according to your instructions outlined in the Data Processing Addendum.
- You remain the data controller, responsible for the legality, accuracy, and purpose of the processed data.
- You are responsible for informing data subjects (individuals whose information is processed) about how their data is used and obtaining necessary consent.
Data Sharing: We may share personal data with our JV Partner Schools and sub-processors solely to provide the Services. We ensure all third parties comply with the Data Processing Agreement and maintain appropriate security measures.
Third-Party Integrations: Our platform may integrate with third-party services (e.g., video conferencing, helpdesk) for added functionality. These integrations are optional, and you control your access by linking your accounts. Remember, you are subject to the third party’s terms of use and privacy policy when using these features.
Cookies
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience and gather website usage data. Here’s how:
- Necessary Cookies: These are essential for our website to function properly.
- Performance Cookies: These help us improve website performance and functionality.
- Analytics Cookies (e.g., Google Analytics): These collect aggregated data about website traffic to understand user behavior and optimize our site.
- Marketing Cookies (Third-Party): We may use third-party marketing cookies to show you relevant ads based on your interests. You can manage your cookie preferences through the Cookies Manager button on our site or by adjusting your browser settings.
Mobile App Data:
When using our mobile app, we collect course and education-related submissions (e.g., quiz answers, assignments) solely for the purpose of providing educational services.
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How We Process and Retain Personal Information
We process your personal information in a transparent and responsible manner, adhering to the following principles:
- Purpose Limitation: We collect and use your data only for specific, explicit, and legitimate purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy.
- Data Accuracy: We strive to ensure the accuracy of the data we collect and take steps to update it when necessary.
- Data Minimization: We only collect the data that is essential for providing our services.
- Security: We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, loss, destruction, or alteration.
Data Retention
We retain your personal data for as long as your account remains active, and you utilize our services.
- Paid Subscriptions: Your data will be retained for the duration of your paid subscription.
- Free Plans: If you have a free account and don’t log in for 365 consecutive days, your account will be permanently deleted. You will receive reminder notifications before this occurs.
Additional Notes:
- We strive to provide you with access to your personal data and allow you to request corrections or deletions as permitted by applicable law.
- For detailed information on how to exercise these rights, please contact us using the following information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+1) 954 787 3457
Mail: 150 South Pine Island Rd Suite 220, Plantation, Florida 33324
Accessing and Changing Your Personal Data
You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data that we process.
Here’s how you can do so:
- Access: You can request information about the personal data we hold about you by contacting our customer support team (see “Contact Us” section).
- Correction: If you believe any of your personal data is inaccurate, you have the right to request correction. Please provide us with the necessary details to verify and update your information.
- Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal data. Please note that we may need to retain certain information for legal or operational purposes.
- Anonymization: In some cases, you may request anonymization of your personal data, which means removing identifying information.
Timeframes: We will respond to all valid requests within 30 calendar days.
Third-Party Data:
If you’re unsure whether we process your personal data on behalf of a third party, please contact our customer support team for clarification.
Key Points:
- Be specific in your request and provide sufficient information to identify your account.
- You may need to provide verification of your identity.
- We will cooperate with you to ensure your rights are respected in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
Exceptional Circumstances
There are limited circumstances in which we may disclose your personal information without your consent:
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your data to comply with a subpoena, court order, legal process, or government request when required by law.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, we will notify you via email and/or a prominent notice on our website. This notice will detail any changes in ownership, how your personal data will be used, and the choices you have regarding your data.
- Protection of Rights: We may disclose information to protect the rights, property, or safety of AHS, our users, or others.
Your Consent:
We will not disclose your personal information to third parties for their marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
Protecting Your Data & Security
At AHS, the security of your personal data is our top priority. We take comprehensive steps to protect the information you share with us, including:
- Data Location: Your data is stored securely in the USA, adhering to strict data protection regulations.
- Encryption: We use encryption technology to safeguard your data both in transit (when you’re sending information to us) and at rest (when it’s stored on our servers).
- Firewall and Secure Servers: Our systems are protected by robust firewalls and secure servers to prevent unauthorized access.
- Redundancy and Data Centers: We utilize redundant servers and data centers to ensure data availability and protect against outages.
Access Controls:
We implement strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel can access your personal data.
- Strong Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords and never share them with anyone. They serve as a vital layer of protection for your data.
- Secure Devices: Use secure devices and networks when accessing our services.
- Be Cautious of Phishing: Be wary of suspicious emails or links that ask for your personal information.
Security Measures:
In addition to the above, we have implemented numerous security measures, including:
- SSL Encryption: We use SSL encryption to protect sensitive data transmitted between your browser and our servers.
- Sophisticated Perimeter Security: Our network is protected by sophisticated perimeter security systems to detect and prevent unauthorized intrusions.
- Regular Vulnerability Audits: We regularly conduct security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in our systems.
Important Note:
While we take all reasonable precautions to protect your personal data, no security system can be guaranteed to be completely foolproof. Remember that transmitting information over the internet always carries some inherent risk.
Data Ownership & Usage
At AHS, we respect your data and understand the importance of clarity regarding ownership and usage.
Customer Data Ownership: While AHS owns the code, databases, and intellectual property rights to the AHS LMS service itself, you, our valued Customers, retain full ownership, control, and all rights to the records and data you generate within the system. Your data is your property.
Data Accuracy & Retention: We strive to ensure that the personal data we process on your behalf is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.
- We retain your information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide you with services.
- We may also retain and use your information as necessary to comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.
Academic Works & Licensed Material: Our database includes academic works submitted by students and licensed source material obtained from reputable sources. We handle these materials responsibly, ensuring compliance with all applicable copyright laws and regulations.
Global Compliance & Data Protection
At AHS, we take a proactive approach to ensuring the privacy and security of your data across all our global operations. We are fully committed to complying with all applicable data privacy laws and regulations in every jurisdiction where we operate.
International Standards: We implement robust mechanisms to monitor and ensure compliance with varying international regulations, including:
- Conducting regular assessments of our data processing practices
- Implementing comprehensive data protection policies and procedures
- Employing a dedicated compliance team
- Actively engaging with industry experts and organizations to stay updated on evolving requirements
Evolving Legislation: Data privacy laws are constantly changing. We remain vigilant in monitoring these developments and make necessary updates to our Privacy Policy to ensure ongoing compliance. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any changes or updates.
Our commitment to data privacy is unwavering, and we strive to exceed industry standards to protect your information wherever it travels within the AHS ecosystem.
Third-Party Sharing
We understand you care about who has access to your data. At AHS, we prioritize transparency and control.
- No Data Sales: We never sell your personal information to third parties.
- Limited Sharing: Your data is only shared with trusted third parties who help us provide our services. These companies are obligated to protect your information and use it only for the specific purposes outlined in this policy.
- External Websites: Our website may contain links to other websites whose privacy practices may differ from ours. When you visit these sites, please review their privacy statements as they govern how your information is handled.
- Your Choices: You have the right to opt out of sharing your data with these third parties. If you prefer not to have your data shared, please contact us at [email protected]
EU Data Protection Compliance & GDPR
AHS is committed to protecting the personal data of our users in the European Union (EU) and complying with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Legal Basis for Processing:
We primarily rely on Article 6(1)(e) of the GDPR, processing student data based on the authority granted by the institution (the Data Controller) to conduct anti-plagiarism checks. Additionally, we may process data under Article 6(1)(f) based on legitimate interests pursued by the Data Controller. While consent is not our primary basis, transparency and user choice remain important, so our End-User License Agreement (EULA) remains in place.
Your Rights:
You have the following rights under GDPR:
- Right to Access: You can request access to the personal data we hold about you.
- Right to Rectification: You can request correction of any inaccurate personal data.
- Right to Erasure (“Right to be Forgotten”): In certain circumstances, you can request deletion of your personal data.
- Right to Restriction of Processing: You can request limitations on how we process your data.
- Right to Data Portability: You can receive your personal data in a machine-readable format and transfer it to another controller.
How to Exercise Your Rights:
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at [your contact email address]. We will respond to your request within the timeframe required by GDPR.
California Privacy Rights Notice
AHS recognizes your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and is committed to protecting your personal information. This notice explains your CCPA rights and how to exercise them.
What Personal Information We Collect: We collect various types of information from our California users. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Identifiers: Name, student ID, username, email address. We use these identifiers to create your account, personalize your experience, and communicate with you about important matters.
- Educational Records: Grades, transcripts, assignments, test scores, attendance records. We collect this information to track your academic progress, provide feedback, and fulfill our educational mission.
- Device Information: IP address, device type, operating system, browser type. We use this information to ensure our platform functions properly and to diagnose technical issues.
- Communications: Emails, messages sent through the platform, chat logs. We use email addresses to send account updates, important notifications, and educational resources.
We strive to be transparent about how we collect and use your data to provide you with a safe and effective learning environment.
Your CCPA Rights
You have the right to:
- Know what personal information we collect: You can request a list of categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you in the past 12 months.
- Delete your personal information: You have the right to request that we delete the personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions allowed by law.
- Opt-out of the sale of your personal information: We do not sell your personal information as defined by CCPA.
Exercise Your Rights
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the following information:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (+1) 954 787 3457
- Mail: 150 South Pine Island Rd Suite 220, Plantation, Florida 33324
Verification: To protect your privacy and prevent unauthorized access to your information, we may require you to verify your identity before fulfilling your request.
Authorized Agent: You may designate an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf. We will require proof of your authorization.
Additional Information:
- Do Not Track Signals: Our website does not currently respond to “Do Not Track” signals.
- Children’s Privacy: We understand the importance of protecting children’s privacy. While our platform serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, we recognize that users under 13 may require additional safeguards under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
- Parental Consent: We encourage parents or guardians of children under 13 to review our Privacy Policy and contact us with any questions. Parents can also request information about what personal data we collect from their child and how it is used.
- Limiting Data Collection: We strive to minimize the collection of personal data from children under 13 to what is necessary for providing educational services.
We are committed to complying with COPPA and other applicable laws protecting
children’s online privacy.
Non-Discrimination:
AHS prohibits discrimination against individuals based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic. This commitment extends to the exercise of privacy rights under this policy. We believe in treating all our users fairly and equitably, regardless of their background or identity.
Personal Information Collected by AHS
AHS collects various types of personal information from users through both its educational platforms and website.
Categories of Personal Information:
Identifiers:
- Real name
- Unique personal identifier (e.g., student ID)
- Online identifier (e.g., username)
- Internet Protocol address (IP address)
- Email address
- Account name
- Billing address (for purchasers)
Educational Information:
- Grades
- Transcripts
- Assignments
- Test scores
- Attendance records
Internet/Network Activity Information:
- Browsing history
- Search history
- Information regarding your interaction with our platforms and website.
Other Data:
- If you schedule a call: Work email, phone number
- If you send an inquiry: Job title, institution name
Business Purposes for Collecting Data:
- Providing services as outlined in contracts and terms of use (account maintenance, customer service).
- Detecting security incidents and protecting against malicious activity.
- Debugging to identify and fix errors.
- Sending marketing communications (with consent).
- Conducting internal research for technological development.