Austin High School (Decatur, Alabama)

Austin High School
Location
1625 Danville Rd. Decatur, Alabama, United States
Coordinates	34.579°N 87.007°W / 34.579; -87.007
Information
School type	Public
Established	1962
School district	Decatur City Schools
Principal	Dr. Donald B. Snow
Grades	9-12
Enrollment	1,400
Color(s)	Orange & Black
Nickname	Black Bears
Yearbook	Bruin

Austin High School is in Decatur, Alabama and is part of the Decatur City Schools System, enrolling over 1,400 Students. Since its establishment in 1962, Austin has been one of two high schools in the Decatur area. It boasts a variety of Programs.

Curriculum

Austin has a wide variety of programs open to students. Along with state mandated curriculum, The school provides business education, health careers education an engineering pilot program, and a metal & auto technical programs.It also offers College preparatory programs such as the Advanced Placement program and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

Accolades

Austin High School is the only school in Alabama to receive the Alabama Attorney General's Safe Schools Initiative Award for five consecutive years.

The 3M Company is Austin's Partner in Education.

Fine arts

Band

The Austin High School Band Program includes two concert bands, an over 200 person member marching band, a jazz band, and a percussion ensemble, and various other ensembles. Austin's Band has received 45 consecutive Superior Ratings, each year of the school's existence, being the longest such streak in the state surpassing its cross town rival Decatur High. The marching band has also received a gigantic amount awards and accolades in competition

Drama

The Austin High Drama Department puts on several a year, with one usually being a musical. In the past they have performed things such as Grease, Aladdin, and Anything Goes. The programs consistently receive recognition from the area.

Choir

Austin High School Chamber Choir received straight perfect scores in the state competition in 2007 and were qualified in 2008 as well. Many students have also auditioned for all-state and have performed in the Alabama Honor Choir.

JROTC

Austin also has a long standing Army JROTC program. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Billy Taunton and Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James L. Walker are the instructors of the JROTC Battalion. The program uses a military structure to teach civics, history, and world cultures. The program participates in community events such as parades and volunteering.

Sports

Basketball

Austin has won three state championships in Boy's Basketball - 1969, 1973, 1993. (However Austinville High School also won four - 1953,1957,1958,1959.) Coach Joe Jones (who the gymnasium is named after) won titles in 1953,1969, and 1973. Coach Earl Morris won titles in 1957,1958, and 1959. Coach Bob Harpe won the title in 1993. Recently they have made the Regional Play-Offs (Final 16) five consecutive years 2004-2008 and Coach Demond Garth led the team to the state Final 4 in 2006 and 2007).

Football

Austin was the runner up for the 1984 state title. They lost in the championship game to Murphy High School of Mobile. For the 2010 football season Austin will move to Region 7 from Region 8. Austin High's biggest rival is Decatur High School. The Black Bears will continue to play cross town rival Decatur High School but will break ties with all other traditional region rivals.

Cross-Country

Austin High school has a very active cross country team. They compete in many meets across the area each season. The Girl's team won the state championship in 2002. Austin Senior Jennifer Dunn won the Girl's Individual State Championship in Fall 2007.

Tennis

Austin competes in both singles and doubles play. Senior Kyle Smith and Junior Alex Worley won the 6-A #1 Doubles State Championship in Spring 2008. They are Austin's first individual tennis champions. The first and only team tennis championship was won in 1989.

External links

• Austin High School Web Page