500 + Semiquincentennial Schools
The Alabama USA Semiquincentennial Commission and American Village are proud to announce that more than 500 public, private, parochial and home schools in Alabama have been designated Semiquincentennial Schools. More are being added to this prestigious list every day. The deadline for Alabama schools to apply to become Semiquincentennial Schools is January 30.
Schools may be registered online at https://america250al.org/become-a-semiquincentennial-school/ with acknowledgement of a school administrator’s permission. By signing up as a Semiquincentennial School in Alabama, schools are asked to:
- Incorporate America’s heritage across the curriculum in all core subjects and the arts. This requirement should provide a means for seamless, cross-curriculum instruction which will provide a structure for strong communication possibilities between teachers of all subject areas regarding instruction, and higher-order thinking possibilities for students.
- Commit to encouraging both mental and physical student health, which will assist in the establishment of healthy, lifelong habits. These habits will result in a healthy, productive, adult population that will be able to lead Alabama in the future.
- Implement a community service project which encourages the development of responsible and engaged citizenship among students. Community service opportunities encourage students to observe the needs of their communities and to respond accordingly. One of Alabama’s strengths has been the willingness of her citizens to volunteer to help each other.
American Village CEO Col. Alan Miller, USMC (Ret.) said, “As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we are reminded that our freedoms were secured through sacrifice and sustained through responsibility. The principles our nation was founded upon do not preserve themselves; they must be taught, understood, and lived. We are proud of the response we’ve received from schools across Alabama as they commit to carrying these ideals forward.”
It is an ideal moment for schools in Alabama to place a renewed focus on the values of patriotism and civic duty in our state and nation. An America250Alabama Semiquincentennial School would not only celebrate this historic milestone but also offer whole school coursework and opportunities for students to understand the importance of participating in and contributing to their communities, state and country.
By teaching our students lessons on American history, the principles of democracy, and the responsibilities of citizenship throughout all ages and subject matter, Alabama students will gain a deeper understanding of their role in preserving and continuing the founding values that have shaped our state and nation. These educational efforts could include higher-level, immersive and interactive lessons about national symbols, historical figures, and our never-ending pursuit of justice and equality, fostering a sense of pride and civic responsibility in our students.
Making patriotism and civic duty core elements of Alabama’s school culture would encourage our students to take part in civic engagement through community projects, learning to be informed citizens and voters. By emphasizing participation in our Republic, Alabama schools can help prepare students not just to be informed citizens, but to be proactive, responsible members of our society and passing those values on to future generations.
An America250Alabama Semiquincentennial School could also build partnerships with local veterans, public servants, and civic organizations to bring real-world perspectives on patriotism and civic engagement into the classroom. We at America250Alabama hope this comprehensive approach will help instill a deep sense of respect for our nation’s history and a renewed commitment to our future, while also making the experience of learning about patriotism more interesting and meaningful for today’s generation. A list of Semiquincentennial Schools is available here: https://america250al.org/semiquincentennial-school-map/. In addition to the Semiquincentennial School designation, several Alabama School Districts have been named Semiquincentennial School Districts. This designation means that every school in the district is a Semiquincentennial School.
