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.
2025 ISBE America 250 Art Contest
As we know, the United States is turning 250 next year, and the Illinois State Board of Education and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum have teamed up to sponsor an art contest for students who live in Illinois including those are homeschooling and those...
Today’s Birthday: N.C. Wyeth
It’s October 22, and artist N.C. Wyeth was born on this day in 1882. He was the grandfather of Jamie Wyeth, and in addition to being a famous artist in his own right, Jamie Wyeth was an American School student. We are proud of Jamie and all of our students who go on...
Today’s Anniversary: Portland Cement
It’s October 21, and Portland cement, the most common form of cement anywhere in the world, was patented by Joseph Aspdin on this day in 1824. We mention this today because we know that sometimes people feel like they’re stuck in cement when it comes to their...
American School Completes Annual Employee Reviews
American School leadership recently completed annual reviews of every employee. The reviews are an opportunity for employees, supervisors and School leadership to assess job performances and make plans to help employees serve students, guarantors and school officials...
Boss’s Day 2025
It’s October 16, and today is Boss’s Day. It’s a good chance to recognize American School’s presidents, the first of whom was R.T. Miller. He founded American School in 1897, and more than 125 years later, his successors have adapted to the changing times to...
Today’s Anniversary: The Gregorian Calendar
It’s October 15, and the Gregorian Calendar began being adopted on this day in 1582. Back then there were many different calendars, but Pope Gregory XIII helped clarify things by introducing the calendar that bears his name. Because people had different...
Today’s Anniversary: Jim Hines Breaks the 10-Second Barrier
It’s October 14, and on this day in 1968 Jim Hines became the first man to run the 100-meter dash in less than 10 seconds. This anniversary got us thinking about how quickly our students work in their accredited middle school courses or accredited high school...
American School Closed Monday, October 13, 2025
American School will be closed on Monday, October 13. We will reopen with regular business hours on Tuesday, October 14, and look forward to assisting you with your accredited middle school program, accredited high school program or independent study program at that...
Today’s Anniversary: The Hangul Alphabet
It’s October 9, and the Hangul alphabet was published for the first time on this day in 1446. Nearly 600 years later, it’s the modern writing system of the Korean language, and so today’s blog is going to talk about our Korean 1 course. It’s one of many online high...
Today’s Anniversary: Don Larsen’s Perfect Game
It’s October 8, and on this day in 1956, Don Larsen pitched a perfect game in the World Series. Nearly 70 years later it remains the only perfect game in World Series history. This anniversary got us thinking about perfection and how our homeschool students should...
Ole Miss Invitational Programs for High School Students
If you’ve read this blog for a long time, you know that we do our best to include information about special programs for students in our accredited middle school program, accredited high school program or independent study program. While it is impossible for us to...
Today’s Anniversary: Instagram
It’s October 6, and Instagram debuted on this day in 2010. American School does not have an official Instagram page right now, but it is something we may consider adding in the future. We do our best to meet homeschooling families where they are, and so we consider...
American School Earns Homeschool-Friendly Certification for 2025-2026
American School recently earned Homeschooling Parent Magazine’s Homeschool-Friendly Certification for 2025-2026. We are grateful for the recognition which shows that families across the country enjoy having their children take our homeschool courses. Join them by...
Today’s Anniversary: The Pennsylvania Turnpike
It’s October 1, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike toll road opened on this day in 1940. We mention this anniversary for a few reasons. First, Pennsylvania has unique regulations when it comes to homeschooling, so no matter where you live it is a good idea to check with...
Today’s Anniversary: The Hoover Dam
It’s September 30, and Hoover Dam was dedicated on this day in 1935. Hoover Dam is considered a marvel of hydroelectric engineering and is a popular tourist attraction on the Arizona/Nevada border. No matter where you live, maybe you have some things which are...
Remembering Grover Cummings
Occasionally we become aware of people who took our homeschool courses many years ago because we are mentioned in their obituaries. One such person is Grover Cummings, whose obituary appears here. We are sharing his obituary in today’s blog because of the many...
Web Site Recommendation for Middle School Families
Today’s blog contains information for middle school students and parents. Middleschool.org is a site affiliated with the Association of Mid-Level Education. We invite families interested in our online middle school courses or middle school correspondence courses to...
Today’s Anniversary: Sequoia National Park
It’s September 25, and Sequoia National Park was established on this day in 1890. It’s home to numerous trees, including the General Sherman Tree, which is considered the largest tree on earth. This anniversary is the perfect time to discuss our Environmental...
First American School Year-End Break Reminder
Although we are barely into autumn, we are already looking ahead to winter. Today’s blog is your first reminder that American School takes a winter break each year, during which the School will be entirely closed. This year, American School’s last day of operations...
Today’s Anniversary: Neptune
It’s September 23, and the planet Neptune was discovered on this day in 1846. It’s the perfect day to promote our Introduction to Astronomy course. It’s one of many online high school courses students may take for credit recovery or enrichment or as part of an...
Today’s Special Occasion: The First Day of Fall
It’s September 22, and today is the first day of fall. When people think of fall, they probably think of falling leaves, cooler temperatures and going back to school. If life has prevented you from going back to school for many years, please know that American...
Today’s Anniversary: Emoticons
It’s September 19, and the very first emoticons were recorded on this day in 1982. Scott Fahlman, a computer scientist and professor at Carnegie-Mellon University, included : - ) and : - ( on a message board, and 43 years later emoticons and emojis are used quite...
Today’s Anniversary: The United States Capitol Cornerstone
It’s September 18, and George Washington laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol on this day in 1793. In addition to encouraging you to visit the Capitol if you’re ever in Washington, D.C., today’s blog will also talk about the importance of cornerstones. ...
Today’s Anniversary: The United States Constitution
It’s September 17, and the United States Constitution was signed on this day in 1789. Today’s blog marks the occasion by promoting the National Constitution Center in downtown Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love is home to many other historic sites, including...
Today’s Anniversary: The Metropolitan Opera House
It’s September 16, and the Metropolitan Opera House, better known as The Met, opened on this day in 1966. The anniversary of the opening of this famous opera house got us thinking about music and specifically our Music Appreciation course. It’s one of hundreds of...