Altoona Area High School is the public high school for the Altoona Area School District in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The high school serves the communities of 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 achievementIn U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of American high schools, in which schools are awarded gold, silver or bronze medals based on state proficiency standards and how well they prepare students for college, Altoona Area High School received a bronze in 2013.HistoryThe first six official graduates of Altoona Area High School graduated in 1877.A riot occurred at the school in 1907 after boys in the senior class attempted to disrupt a junior class social. A large fight ensued and several students were injured after students threw stones and fired revolvers.Another riot occurred at the school in 1910 after 25 senior students—on their last day of school—marched into the school's chapel service with their faces smeared. A large fight resulted, leading to the arrest of 2 students and suspension of 25 others.In 1943, Altoona High became the only high school in the United States to have a World War II veteran as its class president. Robert G. Pennington, 18, had enlisted in 1942, and served four months in the Marine Corps before obtaining a medical discharge. He then returned to school.
