| Number of Schools Managed |
27 |
3 |
| Number of Students Managed |
20,629 students |
677 students |
| District Total Revenue |
$172,088,000 |
$6,335,000 |
| District Expenditure |
$187,389,000 |
$6,229,000 |
| District Revenue / Student |
$8,342 |
$9,357 |
| District Expenditure / Student |
$9,084 |
$9,201 |
| District Graduation Rates |
n/a |
n/a |
|
- Air Academy High School (also commonly referred to as AAHS) is a public high school that serves the northwestern end of Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. Air Academy is currently ranked number 3 in the state for its academic high standards. It is the only high school built on military land (School District 20 also has an elementary school on military property) and over 50% of its students are not associated with the Air Force. Known for high academic standards, Air Academy is situated in the foothills of the Front Range sitting at 6,550 feet above sea level. The sports mascot is the Kadet (Kay-det), a fictional bird of mythical proportions that is representative of a baby falcon. The name "Kadet" itself is a reference to the fact that the high school can be seen as a "little-sibling" to the "Cadets" of the Air Force Academy. The mascot should not be confused with the political party in Russia known as the Kadets.
- History
-
The school was opened in 1956 on the grounds of the United States Air Force Academy for the '56-'57 academic year before having its first commencement ceremony in 1958, making the class of 2007 the 50th graduating class. It was originally constructed as just one building which has come to be known as 'A'. Through the years three more buildings were constructed to supplement the growing student population each with its own letter coding: B, C, and D. It is the second oldest high school in Colorado Springs behind Palmer High School .
- Academics
-
The school was awarded by Newsweek in 2004 and 2005 as being one of the top 1000 high schools in the country in terms of academic achievement. The school continues to achieve 'superior' rating on standardized tests.
- AAHS also offers the Advanced Placement program to students in numerous subject areas.
- Athletics
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Housing two gyms, a weights facility, a track, soccer, baseball, and softball field, eight tennis courts, race track, and a football stadium (nicknamed the K-Dome), Air Academy boasts numerous varsity and junior varsity athletic teams competing in Colorado 4A and 5A sporting events.
- Recently, Air Academy has had many teams enter the state playoffs, with teams such as basketball (men's and women's), men and women's swimming and diving, wrestling, hockey, baseball, lacrosse (women's) and cheerleading all competing for a state title. Additionally, Air Academy has individuals compete in and win individual state titles in swimming, cross-country, and track. In 2008, Allie McLaughlin capped off these individual achievementsby capturing the 5A state 3,200 meter track title in a time of 10:49. In the 2008-2009 cross country season, Allie McLaughlin won the individual 5A cross country finals with a time of 17:04, beating the second place finisher by exactly one minute. She then went on to finish fourth in the Foot Locker Regional and fifth at the national competition, only twelve seconds behind the winner.
- State Titles
- Baseball
- 1989
- Basketball
- 1989 (M)
- Cheerleading
- 2001 (co-ed)
- 2003 (co-ed)
- 2004 (co-ed)
- 2005 (co-ed)
- Football
- 1962
- Ice Hockey
- 1995
- 2000
- 2005
- Swimming & Diving
- 1993 (M)
- 1999 (M)
- Lacrosse
- 1990 (M)
- 1991 (M)
- 1992 (M)
- 2000 (F)
- 2009 (F)
- Soccer
- 1980 (M) First year Colorado elevated soccer to a varsity sport
- 1990 (M)
- 1992 (M)
- 1993 (W)
- Performing arts
- Instrumental music program
-
Air Academy has received national acclaim for its numerous musical ensembles. Their marching band has consistently been in the top five for the past 20 years with state titles in 1994, 1998, 1999, 2007, and 2008 along with percussion caption awards in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2003.
- The band was under the direction of Rick Shaw (1988-1998), assisted by Mike Sherpa (1989-1997), and Brad Stevens, Anooj Thakker, Bruce Anderson, Phil Martin (Percussion staff - various years). Scott McGowan was the director from 1999-2002, and most recently, Stoney Black since 2003. The Air Academy marching bands have been featured in the world renowned Tournament of Roses Parade (New Years Day 1992), and the Orange Bowl parade in 1994.
- Their marching band took second place in the 2006 4A CBA Marching Band Championship with their show, Area 51. The band also took fifth at the Bands of America Flagstaff Regional and placed first in the 2A division. They were beat out by Rampart High School by 0.45 points at the state competition.
- In 2007, the Air Academy Marching Band won the Class 4A Championship at the Pomona Marching Band competition; won the Class 2A category at the Bands of America Regional Competition in El Paso, Texas (second overall); and was the Grand Champion of the Colorado Southern Regional competition held in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After second place finishes in 2004, 2005, and 2006, the Air Academy Marching Band won its 4A CBA marching band championship held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado in 2007 with their show Hypnotix. The Marching Band's finals score in state that year was a 82.9.
- The Kadet marching band went on to capture the Pomona Marching festival title, the regional title, the Douglas County title, and finally the state title in 2008 with their show, "Shades of Cool." Also, the Air Academy Wind Ensemble was awarded with "Superior with Distinction" at the CBA State Concert Band Festival.
- Awards taken so far in their 2009-2010 marching season for their show "The Heist" include Grand Champions at the Pomona Marching Festival and First Place Overall at the Armed Forces Invitational. The Air Academy received first place at the 32nd Annual Zia Marching Band Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico with a score of 95.15. They also received all 3 caption awards: Highest Musical Achievement, Highest Visual Effect, and Highest General Effect. They will be invited to attend the 33rd Annual competition in 2010 as the Zia Grand Champion band.
- Choir program
-
The school boasts multiple choirs, as well as three a capella groups. Paula Baack is the choral teacher.
- Drama program
-
Air Academy has a drama department that includes an award winning chapter of the National Thespian Honors Society. Additionally, the program put on productions of The Three Musketeers and Chess, a musical in 2008. The school also holds an annual student directed acting and singing show called "Montage".
- AFJROTC
-
Air Academy is home to District 20's CO-20021 AFJROTC Program. There are currently 190 students from across the district enrolled in it. The unit won Distinguished Unit w/ Merit for the 06/07 school year. Currently the unit holds the honor of having the highest number of cadets to attend service academies and ROTC scholarships in the nation. It is led by Lt. Col Scott Van Ness and MSgt. Anthony Rush.
- Notable alumni
- T. A. Barron, Fantasy Writer
- Andrew Johnson, Producer
- Miguel Sanchez
- Radu Petrescu, Snowboarder
- Sean Hartig, DJ
- Linden King, Pro Football
- Pat Forde, ESPN
- Wil McCarthy, Inventor, Scientist, Science Fiction Writer
- See also
- Pine Creek High School
- Eagleview Middle School
- Rampart High School
- http://asd20.org/education/components/sectionlist/default.php?sectiondetailid=19335
- External links
- AAHS Official Website
- Source: Wikipedia; it is used under the GNU Free Documentation License. You may redistribute it, verbatim or modified, providing that you comply with the terms of the GFDL.
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