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.

 

 

 

Groundhog Day 2024

It’s February 2, and today is Groundhog Day.  We can report that the American School groundhog saw his shadow this morning which means that we will have six more weeks of winter.  No matter the season, American School can help you earn a high school diploma at home. ...

Black History Month 2024

It’s February 1, and today is the first day of Black History Month.  Today is a great occasion to remind you that we gladly accept students of all ethnicities into our accredited middle school program, accredited high school program and independent study program.  We...

Today’s Anniversary: The First Soap Opera

It’s January 31, and the first soap opera premiered on television 75 years ago today.  The name of that show was “These Are My Children,” and although today there are only a few soap operas still airing on television, today’s blog is going to relate the titles of...

2024 Ambition Accelerator Competition

Today’s blog announces another competition for students in our accredited high school program or independent study high school program.  The Ambition Accelerator competition is open to innovative students between the ages of 16 and 26.  More information is available...

Today’s Anniversary: Kansas

It’s January 29, and Kansas became a state on this date in 1861.  Kansas’s motto is translated “To the stars through difficulties,” and that motto got us thinking about the path many American School students take to earn a high school diploma at home.  Not every...

Today’s Anniversary: Michigan

It’s January 26, and Michigan became a state on this date in 1837.  When people think of Michigan, they often think of music and cars.  American School has courses in both areas of study.  We offer a Music Appreciation course among our online high school courses and...

Testimonial Thursday

It's a Thursday, so today is the perfect time for our first Testimonial Thursday of 2024.  Fredrick from Michigan writes, "Thank you, American School, for teaching me something new and giving me time to complete every assignment.  Thanks to you, I have all my credits...

Today’s Anniversary: The California Gold Rush

It’s January 24, and the California Gold Rush began on this date in 1848 when James Marshall found gold at Sutter’s Mill.  Today’s anniversary got us thinking about things that are more valuable than gold, and one of them is an accredited high school diploma.  Studies...

Today’s Anniversary: The Macintosh Personal Computer

It’s January 22, and the Macintosh personal computer (commonly known today as the Mac) was introduced in a commercial that aired during Super Bowl XVIII.  The 40th anniversary of this event is a good occasion to remind you about the technical requirements for our...

ISBE Homework Tips

Today’s blog contains a link to homework tips from the Illinois State Board of Education.  We are proud to be recognized as non-public school by the ISBE, and the tips they share in the link are valuable.  We know that our students choose to homeschool and do all of...

2024 ISPS Student Poetry Contest

Today’s blog has information about the 2024 Illinois State Poetry Society’s annual student poetry contest.  Details are available here.  The contest is open to Illinois residents who are currently in our accredited middle school program or accredited high school...

Today’s Birthday: Benjamin Franklin

It’s January 17, and Benjamin Franklin was born on this date in 1706.  He is one of the most famous early Americans and did a lot of different things during his life.  You might know him as a statesman, a printer, the first Postmaster General of the United States, a...

2024-2025 FAFSA Form Now Available

The 2024-2025 FAFSA Form is available here for a limited time.  If you are thinking about attending college in the fall after you have earned your accredited high school diploma, please fill out the form as quickly as possible.  Our staff can assist you if you have...

American School Closed January 12 and January 15, 2024

American School will be closed Friday, January 12, due to inclement weather.  American School also will be closed Monday, January 15, for a federal holiday.  We will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, January 16 and look forward to assisting you with your...

Today’s Anniversary: Common Sense

It’s January 10, and Thomas Paine published Common Sense on this date in 1776.  Common Sense was a pamphlet that advocated for independence among the residents of the Thirteen Colonies, and that theme of independence might be useful to you as you think about how to...

Today’s Anniversary: Connecticut

It’s January 9, and Connecticut became a state on this date in 1788.  One of Connecticut’s lesser-known nicknames is the Land of Steady Habits, and that unusual nickname got us thinking about the importance of developing steady habits during your time as an American...

American School Receives Honors from How to Homeschool

American School was recently recognized as one of How to Homeschool’s Best Homeschool Curriculum, Products and Resources for 2024-2025.  According to the web site linked earlier in this blog post, “the list of the Best Homeschool Curriculum, Products and Resources for...

2024 Winter Weather Reminder

We are one week into January which means that we definitely have the potential for winter weather around Chicagoland for the next two months or so.  American School will always put the safety of its employees first, and in the event of winter weather, we may have...

Today’s Anniversary: Utah

It’s January 4, and Utah became a state on this date in 1896.  More than half of Utah’s residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes abbreviated LDS or named Mormons), and so today’s blog is going to talk about American School’s...

Today’s Anniversary: Alaska

It’s January 3, and Alaska became a state on this date in 1959.  Alaska is known as The Last Frontier, and perhaps for some of you American School is your last frontier when it comes to earning an accredited high school diploma.  Maybe you think you missed your...

Today’s Anniversary: Georgia

It’s January 2, and Georgia became a state on this date in 1788.  It’s just two days into 2024 and we’re already thinking about all the homeschool conventions we plan to attend in the new year.  Among the states we plan to visit is Georgia, and we always enjoy meeting...

American School Closed December 25-January 1, Reopens January 2

Today’s blog contains one last reminder that American School will be closed all of next week and January 1 and will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.  This closure gives our employees extra time with their families at the end of the year,...

Today’s Special Occasion: The First Day of Winter

It’s December 21, and today is the first day of winter.  Winter is often associated with snow and cold, so if you’re stuck inside during the next three months, why not work to earn a high school diploma at home with American School?  Homeschooling families enjoy the...

Reminder About Our FAQ Page

Today’s blog has a reminder about our FAQ page.  It contains the answers to many frequently asked questions, and we encourage you to visit it if you have questions about our accredited middle school program, accredited high school program, independent study program or...

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.