Altoona Area High School
Altoona Area High School | |
Motto | |
Established | 1895 |
School type | Public |
Principal | Sharon A. Fasenmyer |
Assistant Prinicpal | 10- Patty Burlingame 11- David Bufalini 12- Paul Hasson |
Location | Altoona, Pennsylvania |
Mascot | Mountain Lion |
Colors | Maroon and White |
Homepage | aahs.aasdcat.com |
Altoona Area High School is the public high school for the Altoona Area School District. The high school is located in Altoona, Blair County. The high school serves the populations living in Altoona, Logan Township, and a small portion of Tyrone Township. The school is located at 1415 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602.
Status
The school district is the eighteenth largest in the state, and the high school is one of the largest and well known in the state. Altoona Area High School (AAHS) teaches grades 10 through 12.
History
The first six official graduates of Altoona Area High School graduated in 1877 at the Webster Building, but the high school was not a separate building until 1895. In 1905, it moved to its present location on sixth avenue. This building cost $250,000. After the First World War, the building was not large enough to house the number of students it had enrolled. In 1927, a $1 million annex was added to accompany the facilities. A $14 million dollar project during the 1970s allowed the school to be completely renovated and a 1200-seat auditorium was built. A new gym, called the fieldhouse, was also constructed. In 1995, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association High School All-America game was telecast live for the fieldhouse by ESPN2.
Building features
The school itself contains a planetarium, full size gym, television studio, auxiliary gym, electronic learning laboratory, and regulation size swimming pool.
Miscellaneous
- On campus there is a running track, two basketball courts, a turf field, five tennis courts, and two volleyball courts.
- The Vocational Technology Center is located behind the school less than 1/3 mile away.
Students and Teachers
Ethnicity | Altoona Area High School | State Average |
---|---|---|
Caucasian | 96% | 76% |
African American | 3% | 16% |
Hispanic | <1% | 6% |
Asian | <1% | 2% |
Category | Altoona Area High School | State Average |
---|---|---|
Students eligible for free or reduced lunch | 56% | 33% |
Student to teacher ratio | 16.63:1 | ~17:1 |
- Number of Students- 1962
- Tenth Grade- 688
- Eleventh Grade- 671
- Twelfth Grade- 588
- Number of teachers- 118
Opportunities
Advanced Placement Courses
College credits can be earned by taking any of 14 advanced placement courses. These include English, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Music Theory and Harmony, American History, European History, Comparative Government, American Government, French, German, and Spanish.
Clubs and Organizations
The school offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations that the students can join. These include Concert Chorus, Drama, Two Jazz Bands, Marching Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, String Ensemble, Vocal Music Ensemble, ETC (Et Cetera Literary Magazine), Horseshoe (Yearbook), Mt. Echo (Newspaper), Advanced Dance Class Club, Ambassador Club, Astronomy Club, Chess Club, The Circle of Friends (Support group), Computer Club, Class Organizations, Diversity Group, Earthkeepers, Foreign Language Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Future Homemakers of America Club (FCCLA), General Interest Club, Girls’ League, Homecoming Committee, Interact Club, Junior Academy of Science, Key Club, Lioneers (dance/drill team), Mock Trial Team, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society (NHS), REACH (Support group), Peer Mediation Program, Performing Arts Club, Principal’s Student Advisory Committee, Speech League, Student Council, Students against Driving Drunk (SADD), Youth Education Association Club, and Youth and Government Club.
Athletics
There are numerous sports and athletic programs available to the students at Altoona Area High School including an Intramural sports program.
Male Sports
Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track, and Wrestling.
Female Sports
Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Winter Track.
Notable alumni
- Rob Boston, author.