What if you could give your student a true superpower—one��that’s��in explosive demand and pays double the average national salary?����

It’s��coding. Right now, there are 1.4 million unfilled tech jobs across the United States. This is��largely because there simply��aren’t��enough qualified coders. On average, coding careers��pay 50-100% more than the national median income. Experts are now calling coding a new form of literacy, as essential as reading or math.��

The earlier students start, the better.����

• Girls exposed to coding in elementary school are twice as likely to show interest in computer science by 8th grade ().
• Students with elementary coding experience are 5.2 times more likely to take AP Computer Science in high school ().��
• Elementary students who receive coding instruction score about 12 points higher in math and 9 points higher in reading on average ().

Yet 79% of U.S. elementary schools offer no coding instruction at all, and 40% of high schools��don’t��teach it either.��That’s��a massive gap��and a huge opportunity.��

Acellus��Answers the Call with a Full Coding Pathway ��

51����’s online high school offers the STEM-10 Coding Pathway. A complete, progressive program available to all students at no additional cost. It begins as early as 3rd grade and builds real coding and computational thinking skills step by step through three dedicated courses.

• STEM-1: Introduction to Coding: Students start with the fundamentals by programming the friendly Cellus Bot, a robot equipped with lights, motors, and sensors. Using an intuitive block-based interface (drag-and-drop interlocking blocks), they create programs that make the robot move, light up, and respond — turning abstract concepts into hands-on fun while learning logic, sequencing, and basic functions.
• STEM-2: JavaScript: Students advance to real text-based coding with JavaScript and program the impressive AC-D2 dancing robot. They give it personality and complex movements, seeing their code come to life in exciting ways.
• STEM-3: Electronics & Coding: Building on JavaScript skills; students explore electronics fundamentals (voltage, current, resistance, and capacitance) and learn to integrate hardware and software for more advanced real-world projects.

The pathway uses a block-based coding interface at the beginning, so students can focus on logic, loops, functions, and problem-solving without getting stuck memorizing syntax. This dramatically lowers the barrier and creates a smooth transition to full text-based coding later.

Physical robots are optional — every course includes a built-in on-screen simulator, so every student can participate fully regardless of hardware.

This structured, multi-year approach gives students clear progression from elementary through high school, developing practical skills that open doors in today’s tech-driven world.

One 51���� student completed all three courses in this pathway, applied to the for computer science, and was accepted as a freshman. On his placement exam, he scored so high that the university placed him directly into upper-division coding courses—skipping the introductory level entirely.��That’s��the power of starting early and building real skills.

Acellus��Academy��is pleased to introduce the new��Conspiracy Theories��course, premiering live with Dr. Todd Edmond at��, May 23–24, 2026, in the new Acellus Conference Center.

What Mysteries Does the Course Explore? ��

Students step into history’s greatest open questions: Roanoke’s vanished settlers and their “CROATOAN” clue,��the��creation and��mystery of Area��51,��the ancient engineering behind Egypt’s pyramids, the events of the JFK assassination, and other puzzles that still captivate minds centuries later.��

No ready-made answers are given. Learners dig into primary sources, line up rival explanations, test their logic, and decide what stands up to scrutiny. See how Dr. Todd Edmond approaches these topics in the

Building Real Critical Thinking Skills ��

This course empowers students to become independent historians. They learn to tackle complex, unfinished questions, gather evidence, form their own well-reasoned conclusions, and grow confident explaining why they think about what they think. Dr.��Edmond walks through the method step by step: laying out evidence, pointing to open gaps, comparing interpretations, and showing how��thoughtful reasoning leads to a solid position.

Open to All – Join Us in Kansas City ��

Acellus World is open to the public—no Acellus enrollment needed. Join us May 23–24, 2026, in Kansas City for a fun, inspiring weekend packed with hands-on STEM challenges, Robot Dance Contest, crafts, games, Spark Sessions, graduation celebrations and the live premiere of the Conspiracy Theories course with Dr. Todd Edmond. It’s going to be an exciting two days—don’t miss it!��

Register now at acellus.com/world.��

Dr. Roger Billings, founder and educator at 51���� in Kansas City, MO, was recently selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by . A role model to pupils, Roger was nominated by a student for outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence in the profession.

Each year student members of NSHSS are invited to nominate the educator who has made the most significant contribution to their academic career for the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction award. This honor recognizes exemplary educators whose passion and devotion inspire their students to grow and develop as scholars, leaders and citizens.

The National Society of High School Scholars seeks to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving students through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks. From attending the annual Nobel Week festivities in Stockholm, to internships with major corporations and government agencies, pre-college summer study programs, and more than $2,500,000 in exclusive scholarships awarded annually, NSHSS is continually seeking new ways to provide lifetime learning and growth opportunities for academically talented and accomplished student leaders, and the educators who support them.

“Dedicated educators who exhibit a commitment to excellence deserve our highest praise and appreciation,” said NSHSS President James W. Lewis. “Through our Educators of Distinction program and the grants we provide to support professional development and enrich classroom instruction, we hope to acknowledge and encourage the vital work of the teachers, counselors and administrators who are shaping the intellect and character of our young scholars.”

About the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS)

Formed in 2002 by James W. Lewis and Claes Nobel, of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, The National Society of High School Scholars recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and helps to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving students through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks.

Dear Parents,

We are excited to announce significant updates for the upcoming school year at 51����. In light of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, we are implementing new security protocols to uphold the integrity of our students’ educational journey. Starting this year, all students will be required to use the Acellus App, which is equipped with state-of-the-art security features to ensure the authenticity of student work. This app is freely accessible on all major platforms, including ChromeOS, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and iPadOS.

To ensure a smooth transition, please ensure the Acellus App is installed on your child’s devices. We provide comprehensive resources and guides on our website to assist you with the installation process. Should you have any questions or require further assistance, our dedicated support team is ready to help.

We hope your family is enjoying a wonderful summer! As we gear up for the new school year, we wanted to share that will be on summer break until August 20, 2025.

Students enrolled under the Roger Billings Scholarship will continue to receive the scholarship rate during these months. However, there is no weekly requirement for tuning into Science Live until August 20, 2025.

We look forward to bringing you an exciting new season of Science Live beginning this fall. Stay tuned for more updates!

For more information on Science Live, or to watch previous episodes, please visit:

Acellus World adds a touch of magic to its summer learning experience as takes the stage for a live magic show like no other. Renowned for inspiring students with science and innovation, Dr. Billings will introduce a spark of illusions that merge entertainment with the power of STEM. Audiences can expect a night to remember, featuring illusions personally designed and built by Dr. Billings.

Prior to his career as an ed tech pioneer, Dr. Billings was dazzling audiences with the art of magic. Starting in college to help pay for his tuition, Dr. Billings performed for audiences around the country. He has also performed internationally and, notably, at the in Hollywood, a legendary club renowned for its exclusive performances by topflight magicians. Using his science and inventor experience, Dr. Billings developed novel illusions that overcame the constraints of regular magic, using scientific principles to bring about an effect that even experienced practitioners in the art were shocked by. Now, as president of the nonprofit organization behind Acellus, Dr. Billings only hits the stage for philanthropic purposes.

This special performance will be presented at , an interactive learning extravaganza in Kansas City on July 10-12, 2025. The program brings together families, learners, and educators for a weekend of exploration, inspiration, and hands-on learning experiences. Tickets for the event will be $10, giving access to not only the magic show but other events, including live music, exhibits, and education sessions. Acellus World celebrates the spirit of discovery—and this year, the magic of learning takes on a whole new meaning.

For more information on Acellus World and to purchase tickets visit:��

Science Live will return on Wednesday, January 8th with an earlier live broadcast time of 6:30pm (CST). For those unable to join live, a recorded copy of each episode will be posted following the live broadcast.

In addition to tuning into the live stream, families are welcome to attend Science LIVE in person in Kansas City, Missouri. Tickets for attending Science Live may be requested at the following link:

For more information, or to watch the next episode, please visit:

Join Acellus in exploring Ethnic Studies, its newest offering in high school social studies! In this course, instructor Todd Edmond explores the diverse cultures and peoples that make up the unique society of the United States — a nation shaped by waves of immigration and the blending of traditions from around the world. Students will examine the concept of ethnicity, the evolution of American culture, and how immigration patterns have influenced our nation’s history.

Through a deep dive into the unique histories and contributions of various communities, students will develop an appreciation for the differences that define us and the unity that brings us together as one nation. By understanding our culture and its roots, students will gain a deeper awareness of their identity, their community, and their role in celebrating and preserving the rich tapestry of American life.

Watch the Course Preview:

To explore the course more thoroughly, please visit the for a complete scope and sequence. This single-semester high school course may be taken to fulfill the social studies credit requirement or as an elective, resulting in 0.5 high school credits.

We are excited to offer this course to our students and look forward to hearing your feedback. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

51���� is thrilled to introduce its new Kindergarten Science course, designed to spark students’ curiosity and love for science. This course replaces the previous Grade K Science course and has been completely re-filmed and updated with the latest Acellus course features and enhancements.

Watch the Course Preview:

Think Like a Scientist:

Kindergarten Science promotes problem-solving by engaging students with interactive lessons. Just like real scientists, students will be encouraged to make observations, conduct experiments, and share their findings. By the end of the year, they’ll gain the confidence to employ their new problem-solving skills in hands-on projects. Creativity will be key to exploring the world of engineering as students build bridges, use pulleys, design foil boats, and more.

We’re thrilled that this course is now available to 51���� students. Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.