[3] American was opened in 1976 (the year of America's bicentennial); its name, sports teams (Patriots) and colors (red, white, and blue) were chosen to reflect this.

American's main athletic rival is Barbara Goleman High School.

[citation needed] At the time the school was built, cow pastures were in the area.

[5] Robert Bork of The Miami Herald wrote that upon opening and by December of that year, American SHS was "troubled by violence".

[6] Parents who were non-Latino white organized a boycott in December to show frustration at the violence situation.