The Academy of American Studies is a public high school in Long Island City, Queens, New York, which was founded in 1996 by the New York City Board of Education and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

Academy of American Studies is a semi-screened school, and thus does not require students to take the SHSAT for admission.

The Academy of American Studies opened in September 1996 as a collaboration between the Gilder Lehrman Institute and the New York City Board of Education.

The Academy of American Studies' founding principal[4] was the late Michael Serber, who assumed a post at the Gilder Lehrman Institute after his retirement in 2001.

In 2016, a twentieth anniversary celebration was held, bringing together current and past staff and students.

[7][8] The new building consists lockers for all students, science and technology labs, a full-sized library, 30 standard classrooms, library, a music room, an art studio, state-regulation sized gymnasium, and expanded office space.

Students take four years of American history, including enriched courses in American History in 9th and 10th grades, law, and Senior Thesis/Civics in eleventh and twelfth grade in addition to the courses required by New York State.

They annually plan Talent Shows and two Pep Rallies along with spirit days, school dances and other fun-unique events.

The Academy of American Studies participates in the NYCDOE's high school admissions process.

The Education Option program is similar, except that students are placed in the top, middle, and bottom thirds of achievement citywide,[10] and assignments are made randomly from each of those groups.