X0303 4 2009-09-21 0 0001201792 AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION INC APEI 0001417316 Boston Wallace E. Jr. 111 W. CONGRESS STREET CHARLES TOWN WV 25414 1 1 0 0 President and CEO Common Stock, par value $.01 2009-09-21 4 S 0 5000 35.00 D 289883 D Common Stock, par value $.01 22814 I By the Boston Family LLC The sales reported in this Form 4 were effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 Sales Plan adopted by the reporting person on September 2, 2009, which is intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1. The reporting person is the managing member of The Boston Family LLC, which is 98% owned by trusts for the benefit of the reporting person's family members. The reporting person has voting and dispositive power over the shares and disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein. /s/ Lisa G. Kessler, Attorney-in-fact 2009-09-23