The DFMS archive on the American Church Institute (ACI) is largely focused on the years 1906 through 1967, although documentation on individual schools dates from 1867 (see AO-00-R0061-02-12). The collection represents a reasonably comprehensive record of ACI during its lifetime and, in most cases, a much briefer synopsis of the life of each of the individual schools, although student rosters and academic records are not present. The overall ACI administrative records consist of minutes, reports, legal and financial documents, correspondence, historical summaries, building plans, studies, surveys, publications, photographs, and ACIN's corporate seal. Records of the individual schools include copies of minutes of the boards of trustees, reports, correspondence, financial documents, institutional histories, personnel records, and publicity materials.

Records of St. Paul’s contain legal documents on the founding of the school, Board of Trustees records and meeting minutes (1897, 1940-1951) and minutes of the Executive Committee (1940-1951), as well as reports from the principal from 1938 to 1957. Financial documentation spans 1935 to 1957 and includes budgets, treasurer’s reports, and audit reports. ACI director’s correspondence (1911-1953) occurs with St. Paul’s Board of Trustees members and school administration and covers financial, personnel, construction, and curricular topics. Correspondence from the Home Department Director (1949-1953) addresses a variety of topics including the search for a new president after the Rev. J. Alvin Russell’s retirement. School publications from 1907-1948 include historical pamphlets, bulletins, and some issues of the Southern Missioner. The fonds includes a survey report of the school by the George Peabody College for Teachers (1946).