More than 500 schools across Alabama have been designated Semiquincentennial Schools, according to an announcement from the USA Alabama Semiquincentennial Commission and American Village.
The designation includes public, private, parochial, and home schools that have met program standards tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The Semiquincentennial School program is designed to encourage schools to refocus on American history, civic responsibility, and community engagement as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial in 2026.
According to the announcement, schools receiving the designation commit to incorporating America’s heritage across core academic subjects and the arts. The program emphasizes cross-curricular instruction designed to promote collaboration among educators and higher-order thinking among students.
Participating schools are also asked to encourage both mental and physical student health, with the goal of helping students develop healthy habits that can carry into adulthood. In addition, designated schools commit to implementing at least one community service project intended to foster responsible and engaged citizenship.
American Village CEO Col. Alan Miller, USMC (Ret.), said the program is designed to ensure that civic principles are passed on to future generations.
“As we approach America’s 250th birthday, we are reminded that our freedoms were secured through sacrifice and sustained through responsibility,” Miller said. “The principles our nation was founded upon do not preserve themselves; they must be taught, understood, and lived.”
Program organizers said the initiative encourages schools to teach American history, democratic principles, and the responsibilities of citizenship across grade levels and subject areas. Suggested approaches include immersive, interactive lessons on national symbols, historical figures, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality.
The program also encourages civic engagement beyond the classroom, including community projects and partnerships with local veterans, public servants, and civic organizations. Organizers said these partnerships are intended to provide students with real-world perspectives on citizenship and public service.
Several Alabama school districts have received the designation Semiquincentennial School District, meaning every school within the district has earned the designation. Alabaster City Schools was the first district in the state to receive that recognition.
As Alabama communities prepare for the nation’s 250th anniversary, program organizers said the growing participation from schools statewide reflects a broader effort to connect classroom instruction with civic responsibility and community involvement.
Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].
