Altoona Area High School

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Altoona Area High School
Motto
Established 1895
School type Public
Principal Patty Burlingame
Assistant Principal 10- Benjamin J. Brenneman
11- James T. Abott
12- David Bufalini
Location Altoona, Pennsylvania
Mascot Mountain Lion
Colors Maroon and White
Homepage http://aahs.aasdcat.com

Altoona Area High School is the public high school for the Altoona Area School District in Altoona, Pennsylvania. 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, in the downtown section of Altoona, PA 16602.

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.

Academic achievement

In 2009, US News and World report ranked 21,000 public high schools, in the United States, based on three factors. First, the schools were analyzed for the number of students who achieved above the state average on the reading and math tests in 2008. Then they considered how the economically disadvantaged students performed against the state average. Finally, they considered the participation rate and the performance of students in college readiness by examining Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate test data. Seventy Pennsylvania high schools achieved ranking bronze, silver or gold rating. Fifty three Pennsylvania high schools achieved bronze.[1], including the Altoona Area High School, one of three high schools in Blair County that achieved inclusion in the ranking.

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. On campus, there is a running track, two basketball courts, two turf fields, five tennis courts, and two volleyball courts. The Vocational Technology Center is located adjacent to the high school.

Students and Teachers

Ethnicity
Ethnicity Altoona Area High School State Average
Caucasian 96% 76%
African American 3% 16%
Hispanic <1% 6%
Asian <1% 2%
Miscellaneous
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- 439
  • Number of teachers- 118

Opportunities

Advanced Placement Courses

College credits can be earned by taking any of 17 advanced placement courses. These include English, Calculus, Statistics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Music Theory and Harmony, American History, European History, Comparative Government, American Government, French, German, Spanish, 2D Studio Art, and Economics[2]. Micro- and Macro- Economics were not offered as courses during the 2009-2010 year due to lack of student interest.

Dual enrollment

The high school offers a Dual Enrollment program. This state program permits high school students to take courses, at local higher education institutions, to earn college credits. Students remain enrolled at their high school. The courses count towards high school graduation requirements and towards earning a college degree. The students continue to have full access to activities and programs at their high school. The college credits are offered at a deeply discounted rate. The state offers a small grant to assist students in costs for tuition, fees and books.[3] Under the Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement, many Pennsylvania colleges and universities accept these credits for students who transfer to their institutions.[4]

For the 2009-10 funding year, the school district received a state grant of $20,759 for the program.

Graduation project

By law, all Pennsylvania secondary school students must complete a project as a part of their eligibility to graduate from high school. The type of project, its rigor and its expectations are set by the individual school district.[5]

Extracurriculars

The district offers a variety of clubs, activities and sports.

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[6]

Clubs and organizations

The school offers a wide variety of clubs and organizations that the students can join. These include Concert Chorus, Drama, one basic and one advanced Jazz Bands, An award winning, nationally ranked Marching Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, String Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, Chorus, Auxiliary, Mountain Lion Television (MLTV), 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 (now known as Fanatics for Language and Culture), 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 Destructive Decisions (SADD), Scholastic Scrimmage Team, Sports Interest Club, 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. The Football and Track and Field teams compete at historic Mansion Park, which recently underwent field replacement.

File:Altoona2.jpg
Mansion Park Home Side, Summer 2007
File:Altoona1.jpg
Mansion Park Visitor Side, Summer 2007

Male sports

Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track, Ice Hockey, and Wrestling

Female sports

Basketball, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, and Winter Track.

Notable alumni

  • Betty James (Class of 1934), wife of Slinky inventor Richard T. James
  • Paul Winter (Class of 1957), musician, Grammy winner
  • Robert Cook (Class of 1959), Entrepreneur, philanthropist (especially for education), endowed the Robert E. Cook Honors College at Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • Mike Reid (Class of 1965), songwriter, football player, Grammy winner
  • Rob Boston (Class of 1980), author, advocate of church-state separation
  • Doug West (Class of 1985), basketball player
  • Mike Iuzzolino (Class of 1986), basketball player
  • John Snyder (Class of 2007), Marietta College Baseball player

References

  1. ^ Best High Schools 2008, US News and World Report. December 9, 2009
  2. ^ http://aahs.aasdcat.com/pdf/SecEdCourseDesc0809.pdf
  3. ^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/24901214/Pennsylvania-Department-of-Education-Dual-Enrollment-Guidelines-2010-2011 Pennsylvania Department of Education - Dual Enrollment Guidelines.
  4. ^ Pennsylvania Transfer and Articulation Agreement. site accessed March 2010. http://www.patrac.org/
  5. ^ Pennsylvania Code §4.24 (a) High school graduation requirements
  6. ^ Home-Schooled, Charter School Children Can Participate in School District Extracurricular Activities, Pennsylvania Office of the Governor Press Release, November 10, 2005

External links

40°30′36″N 78°23′52″W / 40.50998°N 78.39787°W / 40.50998; -78.39787 Template:Pom Wonderful Presents the Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Pennsylvania

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