College Preparatory Program: An Accredited Diploma for College-Bound Students

American School’s College Preparatory Program is designed for students who plan to attend a four-year college or university after graduating. It leads to the same accredited American School diploma as our General High School Program, with more math, science and social studies. You can take every course in print, online, or a mix of both, and study at home at your own pace.

College Preparatory Program requirements

  • English: 4 units of credit
  • Math: 4 units of credit (1 year Algebra, 1 year Geometry required)
  • Science: 3 units of credit (at least 2 units must be with lab)
  • Social Studies: 3 units of credit (1 year U.S. History required)
  • Computer Literacy: 1 unit of credit
  • Consumer Education/Financial Literacy: 0.5 unit of credit
  • Government/Civics: 0.5 unit of credit
  • Health: 0.5 unit of credit
  • Art, Music, Foreign Language or Vocational Education (CTE): 1 unit of credit (2 units of foreign language recommended)
  • Electives: 2.5 units of credit
  • Total: 20 units of credit, at least 5 of them American School courses

Graduation requirements are established by the Illinois State Board of Education.

College Preparatory vs. General High School Program

Subject College Preparatory General High School
Math 4 units 3 units
Science 3 units (2 with lab) 2 units with lab
Social Studies 3 units 2 units
Electives 2.5 units 5.5 units
Best for Four-year college or university Two-year college or the workforce

See both programs side by side on our high school page.

An online college preparatory program, or print, or both

Students choose the format that suits them: all print courses by mail, all online courses, or a combination. Tuition includes all study materials, grading and access to the Online Student Center. Browse high school courses to see what’s offered in each format.

Getting into college

Many American School graduates go on to college after completing the College Preparatory Program. They are usually admitted, like students from any high school, based on SAT or ACT scores and their American School grades. American School’s ACT/SAT code is 140650. Some public universities, such as those in New York, do not accept a distance education diploma and ask for a high school equivalency exam instead, so review admissions standards with the college of your choice before you enroll. Our Guidance Department can help.

Planning to play college sports? American School courses may not currently be used to meet NCAA core course requirements for Division I or Division II, or for NJCAA and NAIA purposes.

Cost, timing and transfer credit

A full year of high school is 5 units of credit for $1,200, with textbooks included and monthly payment plans available. Students have up to 4 years to complete the 20-unit program and can work at their own pace. American School accepts most credits from other accredited schools, and there is no minimum or maximum age to enroll, so adults are welcome too.

Ready to start?

Enroll online, review tuition, or call 708-418-2800 with questions.

I found all the material and methods extremely satisfying.  It made the classes simple enough to learn while still being able to enjoy the process!  I spent my first two years of high school in a public school, but American School made it an enjoyable experience while still giving me the education I need.  My parents have never been so proud to see so many good grades coming from a homeschool program.

Alex from Illinois

I especially liked and appreciated all of the instructors’ positive comments, feedback and helpful hints on my son’s exams.  You cannot put a price tag on a high school diploma, although I felt the fees were quite reasonable.  I’m really thankful that there is a back-up plan for students who are lacking credits to graduate.

Judy from Michigan

My overall interaction with American School has been positive.  I find the study guides essential tools to being able to get the full benefit of the textbooks.  They often explain things in a more understandable detail.  The service of American School has been prompt with addressing my needs, such as requesting more courses, getting progress reports in a timely manner, etc.  I do appreciate the feedback from the instructors on my exams.  My experience with American School has been more than satisfactory.

Khadijah from Florida

The courses from American School have been awesome!  They are challenging but also really enjoyable.  The textbooks were all very clear and detailed.  The study guides were wonderful.  They really helped me understand the lesson concepts.  I have improved by miles!  I definitely will keep using American School until I finish high school.

Carmen from South Carolina

I really enjoy studying through American School.  It helped me prepare for college classes.  You learn to become independent and motivate yourself to finish.

Carissa from California

I found American School’s curriculum very satisfactory.  I enjoyed the material and its methods.  Grammar and math, my toughest subjects, were much easier to understand than any of my previous books.  The comments my instructors left on my graded work were helpful and encouraging.  Overall I was happy with my courses.

Charli from Texas

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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 regular business hours.

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
MSA-CESS accreditationNCPSA, National Council for Private School AccreditationAccreditation InternationalSeal of the State of IllinoisBBB Accredited BusinessAmerica's Promise AllianceUSDLA, United States Distance Learning Association
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