Welcome to the American School Blog!

Since 2006, the American School Blog has kept students, parents and school officials up to date on what’s happening at American School. Below are our most recent blog posts.  Visit the American School Blog Archive to read noteworthy blogs from over the years.

 

 

 

Google Celebrates 25 Years

Today's blog celebrates Google's 25th anniversary.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that the internet existed before Google came along on September 27, 1998.  That's because today the word "Google" is almost synonymous with internet searching.  We know that so many...

Today’s Anniversary: Silent Spring

It’s September 27, and Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring was published on this date in 1962.  The book led to a renewed focus on environmental awareness and eventually led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  American School offers...

Today’s Birthday: Jack LaLanne

It’s September 26, and fitness expert Jack LaLanne was born on this date in 1914.  His food intake regimen and exercise plans helped him live to age 96, and his birthday got us thinking about physical education.  Because we are a distance education middle school and...

New Year-End Schedule Reminder

Today’s blog is a reminder about our new year-end schedule which will go into effect this December.  Starting this year and going forward, American School will always be closed from Christmas Eve (December 24) through New Year’s Day (January 1).  In 2023, that means...

Tomorrow’s Special Occasion: The First Day of Fall

It’s September 22, and tomorrow is the first day of fall.  When people think of fall, they think of falling leaves, football and cooler temperatures, but they might also think about going back to school.  If you’re in the latter category but haven’t decided on your...

Today’s Special Occasion: International Day of Peace

It's September 21, and today is the International Day of Peace.  It's a United Nations initiative which promotes peace around the world.  Today's celebration got us thinking about our international students.  We are proud to serve students in 65 countries around the...

Today’s Anniversary: The Battle of the Sexes

It’s September 20, and 50 years ago today a very famous tennis match took place at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.  Billie Jean King (a female) defeated Bobby Riggs (a male) in the “Battle of the Sexes” and that match got us thinking about the students we serve.  It...

ISBE Region County District Type Schools Lookup

Today’s blog is about the Illinois State Board of Education’s Region County District Type Schools lookup, often abbreviated at RCDTS.  Although we are a distance education middle school and distance education high school, we appear on the list because our headquarters...

ISBE State Course Catalog Numbers

Today’s blog is about the Illinois State Board of Education State Course Catalog.  Occasionally homeschool families or school counselors will contact us about this catalog and ask us if our accredited middle school courses and accredited high school courses match up...

25 Years at American School

It’s September 15, and today the person who regularly writes this blog is celebrating 25 years at American School.  A lot has changed in the last quarter century, most notably the introduction of an online high school diploma for adults or children and the addition of...

Testimonial Thursday

It’s Thursday, so let’s hear from a testimonial from one of our students.  Sheila from Ohio writes, “I liked American School a lot because of the detailed instruction.  Some parts were difficult for me and took a little extra concentration and effort, but it was well...

American School Trustees Hold 2023-2024 Budget Meeting

It’s September 13, and earlier today American School’s Board of Trustees met to discuss the School’s budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.  As with any business, American School sets a budget and does its best to stick to it during the course of the year.  We know...

About Diploma Covers

Today’s blog is about covers for an online high school diploma or a correspondence high school diploma from American School.  After you earn a high school diploma at home, we send you a diploma, tassel and simple diploma holder.  No other types of diploma covers or...

22nd Anniversary of September 11, 2001

It’s September 11, and for people of a certain age, today’s date is one they’ll never forget.  As we remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we encourage students in our accredited middle school program, accredited high school program or independent study...

Grandparents’ Day 2023

It’s September 8, and this Sunday is Grandparents’ Day.  We know that many grandparents are deeply involved with their grandchildren’s educations and in some cases serve as guardians or guarantors for their grandchildren.  We are grateful that many grandparents over...

American School and the U.S. Open

It’s September 7, and we are down to four men’s semifinalists and four women’s semifinalists in the singles competition of the U.S. Open tennis tournament.  American School students have reached this round many times over the years, but some have gone one or two...

About AI, Chats and Bots

Recently there has been a lot of chatter about artificial intelligence and various chat programs or bots which can produce words, sentences and entire paragraphs as if they were written by a human being instead of by a computer.  The purpose of this blog is to let you...

American School Receives 2024 Homeschooling Parent Certification

American School recently earned Homeschooling Parent Magazine’s Homeschool Friendly Certification for 2024.  We are proud to receive this recognition which attests to the fact that we know the needs of homeschool families all across the country.  Students from coast...

American School Closed Monday, September 4, 2023

American School will be closed Monday, September 4.  We will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, September 5, and look forward to assisting you with your accredited middle school courses and accredited high school courses at that time.  Thank you for making...

2023-2024 Advanced Placement Course Enrollment Ends Tomorrow

Today’s blog is a reminder that the enrollment window for our 2023-2024 Advanced Placement (AP) course ends tomorrow.  Normally we would accept enrollments year-round for any of our accredited middle school courses or accredited high school courses, but because AP...

American School to Update Frequency of Facebook Posts

Today’s blog has an update on how often we plan to post to our Facebook page.  Effective September 1, American School will post to Facebook only on weekdays.  On weekdays when the School is open, we will post our blog entry in the morning and a homeschool or general...

Better Business Bureau Reaccredits American School

The Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois recently reaccredited American School, continuing an affiliation which began in 1934.  American School prides itself on ethical business practices and giving students in our accredited middle school...

Today’s Anniversary: Scientific American

It's August 28, and Scientific American magazine was first published on this date in 1845.  In this age where many magazines and newspapers are shifting to online-only formats, you might be surprised to know that Scientific American is still in print.  The anniversary...

Virginia Homeschool Days

Today’s blog is about homeschool days happening in the state of Virginia.  As you know, we do our best in this blog to mention field trips and other experiences that can enhance your accredited middle school courses or accredited high school courses.  There are so...

American School Announces New Year-End Schedule

American School has announced a new year-end schedule which will go into effect this December.  Starting this year and going forward, American School will always be closed from Christmas Eve (December 24) through New Year’s Day (January 1).  That means American School...

Homeschooling has taught me a lot of new things.  It has taught me self-discipline and made me take my studies more seriously than before.  I have learned to study properly.  The books and materials were very helpful.  It is a fun experience to do homeschooling.  Many people are amazed to know that I did homeschooling.  This has opened and changed a lot of people’s minds.

– Jekah from United Arab Emirates

American School has more to offer than any public school.  Two of my children, two of my grandchildren, and one niece completed their high school education with American School, and my sister and I are enrolled at the present time.

– Marilyn from Missouri

I learned a lot, and the skills are helping me in my college classes.

The most important thing I learned was how to schedule my time and organize my work.  The study guides helped to show me how much work to do at one time.  I’m glad to be part of American School.

– Peter from Illinois

I have found the methods, instruction, textbooks, study guides and service satisfactory because they are all up-to-date and made ready for me to learn.  I am greatly thankful for this service because now I can graduate early with all my credits in.  Thank you very much, American School!

– Ada from Michigan

American School was an easy yet efficient way to earn the extra credit I needed to graduate.

– Elizabeth from Illinois

I greatly enjoyed American School.  The instructors’ comments were very helpful.  I enjoyed this method of learning.  I feel I have learned a lot more than I did in public school.  I was able to keep up with school through all the moves I made without going through the hassle of switching school systems.  I enjoyed the honesty of the

instructors and the overall program.   I will recommend American School to anyone interested.

– Enoch from Texas

Get Started Today. Choose a Program Below. 

Why you should enroll with American School…
We call these our Four C’s.

Curriculum

American School’s innovative paper-based and online curriculum offers something for everyone in grades 6-12. Students can choose from more than 100 self-paced courses in traditional subjects such as English, math, social studies and science and take electives in such subject areas as business, career and technical education, fine arts, and world languages,

Cost

As a not-for-profit institution, American School puts students’ educations first. Our tuition is affordable—much lower than many other distance education and online high schools—and all textbooks and study materials are included at no additional cost.  Monthly payment plans are available for students in full years of American School’s middle school or high school program.

Caring Student Service

When students are accepted at American School, they not only receive interesting curriculum at a reasonable cost from a pioneer in distance education; they also receive outstanding, caring student service.  Students may enroll anytime and work at their own pace.  Help is available from American School staff during business hours and around the clock in American School’s Online Student Center.

Credibility

Founded in 1897, American School later became the first correspondence school to become regionally accredited. Today we are accredited by three reputable accrediting bodies and recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education as a non-public high school.  American School’s diploma is accepted by colleges and universities, and thousands of high schools use our courses for credit recovery.

Our Affiliations
Get Started Today. See what sets us apart from other distance education high schools.