Research Altoona Area High School public Schools in Altoona, Pennsylvania

“As a former student, I must disagree with many of the disgruntled parents that do not feel the school offers a quality education. While athletics and involvement do seem to effect an appearance of favoritism, I do believe it is a direct result of the more intense contact between the active students and teachers and not as a result of favoritism. There are many ways to become involved and take advantage of the education; perhaps the disgruntled parents are too involved in other things to help their children take advantage of what is at their fingertips instead of looking down their noses at these advantages. One recommendation for improvement would be college-preparedness, not with curriculum but with overall preparedness and guidance, especially concerning financial aid.”

“The Altoona Area School District only concerns itself with a 'us versus them' mentality. They are more concerned with the football team than academics. Unless your some of the select few students you are treated as 'no bodies' and I say that because I was a former student their myself. The school administration is well paid with the poor performance of the students it teaches and graduates. It sends out a lot of non-prepared students to the 'real' world. The school system is wasting tax payers money by building an 'Unjustified!' Junior High when Keith and Roosevelt were just fine. Whats sad is even teachers agree with this assessment, not just us parents. The school is in the hip pocket of local law makers and school board members who have done a disservice to the community as a whole. They are more concerned to their own pocketbooks, not yours!”

“[ I also agree with most reviews here] I think the school is too caught up in sports than worrying about what's important. Sure there are a lot of activities to choose from but if you don't take part in anything the school has to offer it's like they look right over you. On the other hand, if you do take part in any of the programs/activities held there they seem to favor you over the rest. Not saying I wouldn't recommend the school though. It's not the best though. They need to focus more on School itself and not certain individuals.. Why don't you see for yourself.”

“I thought that the level of parental involvment was minimal. Although some parents got involved, most were left out. There are a ton of extracurricular activities that you can be involved in too.”

“I think Altoona Area High school is an excellent school system. Most teachers work very hard to assist students in achieving their educational goals, and my son had excellent treatment. There is a wide variety of educational programs for students to choose as well as a plethora of electives and extracurricular activities.”

“I am a parent of two daughters that graduated from AAHS and both left the area to go to college. I can't express how happy I am that they are not subjected to the 'rat race' of this school any longer. The administration and staff have no interest in the true welfare of these children. Teachers are allowed to degrade, and psychologically effect these children. They completely misuese their power within their positions. I would not recommend this school to any parent or child, I would suggest moving outside of the area.”

“This school was to worried about how a student dresses and what color their hair is than how a student is. The counslers are overworked, and the prinicpals are a joke. This school has a great athletic and music program, and if you are part of the higher level curriculum than you will do fine as long as you don't need help. The teachers try but there are often too many students and discipline problems to be of much help.”

“This school district is only concerned about one thing athletics. Administration turns a blind eye to bullying and protecting our students. Students are only a number. Need help there is noone to listen to you. School board meetings last less than 30 minutes.Yes, Yes, Yes meeting over. Parents are so frustrated with this school district. Administration throws every road block it can into the path of a teacher and student. Your child attacked by a bully? Consider it swept under the rug. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil should be their motto. On a scale of 1 - 10 I give this district a minus 10. They need to take off the blinders, enact policies, update policies and get back to academics not who will bring home the next trophy. It isn't a matter of if it can happen here but when. Wake up Altoona”

“This school is too concerned with politics and not concerned enough about academics. There is more focus on whether or not a student has a nose ring and less focus on whether or not the student is failing a class. The school needs to reevaluate their priorities.”

“Altoona High School is a formatted curriculum that treats it's students as numbers. If you fit their mold you'll survive but it's an ugly process with continual pressure and teacher browbeating to meet their deadlines for grade cutoffs irrespective of doing projects accurately and to the best of one's ability. The curriculums are not geared to todays students but look for the path of least resistance for administrators. We have spoken many times with counselors about issues related to my sons individuality and survival and the bottom line is that it's not their problem unless you fit their mold. I have received lip service but no results since my son doesn't fit the mold.”

“The Guidance Staff is amazing. Always willing to help you out. Kids are cruel. But that is at every school. Teachers here are over all nice, but when you get into the lower level classes, discipline is a problem because the students don't seem to care and the teachers really seem not to care enough to correct them.”

“AAHS is a great school if you are looking for extracurriculars, sports, and music programs. However, all of this takes a backseat to test scores, and the students are treated like numbers instead of individuals. Higher-level students in particular, those who challange themselves with Honors and AP courses, are on the back burner and have last priority with a lot of things such as scheduling. Many of the counselors at AAHS are too busy dealing with the PSSAs and other red tape that the students feel neglected and feel helpless. As a former student of AAHS, I left feeling discouraged and anxious to get away from the community all together. The only positive words I heard from the administration of AAHS was at Commencement when the community was there to hear them. No child of mine will ever attend this school because everything going on there focuses on money and even the teachers have lost hope in the system here.”

“When I attended Altoona High there were too many students per teacher. The overall quality of teaching was OK in my opinion. I do however remember one teacher in particular who I wasn't very fond of but his ways (which I didn't value at the time) ended up having a positive impact on my life.”