Altoona Area School District

09/13/2026

09/12/2026

It was a great day for Altoona Athletics!

Former AASD Athletic Director Jack Ray was inducted posthumously into the PA State Athletics Director Hall of Fame on field at today's Pitt game. Accepting the award in his honor was Dr. Stuart Ray, nephew to Mr. Ray, and AASD Athletic Director Phil Riccio.

On, Altoona!

09/12/2026

The boys cross country team took 1st place at the St. Francis University Invitational. Archie Glover was 1st for the Mt. Lions, Seth Lieb, 3rd place and TJ Dunkle was 7th. Middle school winners were Leo Ingham 4th, Cayden Stickel 12th and Addie Harper was 8th for the girls.

Go Mt. Lions!

09/11/2026

McAuliffe Heights 5th graders got their hands dirty while learning about worms and exploring how ecosystems work! Students took a closer look at the important role decomposers play in breaking down organic matter, recycling nutrients, and helping keep ecosystems healthy and balanced.

Did Mr. Steward and Mr. Little really eat those worms! 🐛

09/11/2026

Juniata Elementary 5th grade had the opportunity to visit with AHS alum Norman Beckel, Jr. (Class of 1949) before watching a sky show at the Neil Armstrong Planetarium.

Mr. Beckel is part of the Alumni in Astronomy wall inside the Neil Armstrong Planetarium. He was part of the team that worked for McDonnell Aircraft Company, contracted by NASA on Project Mercury to design, test, build and launch a vehicle capable of putting an American into space. Project Mercury led to Project Gemini, which carried two men into space and then Project Apollo that landed Neil Armstrong on the moon.

The kids had some great questions for Mr. Beckel before entering the planetarium for the sky show. When asked what was the coolest part of what he has done, he said "we were young engineers, nothing had been done like this before, and it allowed us to design things that had never been designed to ensure a safe journey for the astronaut."

Thanks for the visit Mr. Beckel! 👨‍🚀

09/11/2026

We pause to honor, remember and pay tribute to everyone touched by the events of September 11, 2001.

We hold in our hearts the 2,977 lives lost, honor the extraordinary courage of the first responders; remember the everyday heroes of Flight 93, inside the Pentagon and the Twin Towers; stand alongside the survivors who carry the physical and emotional wounds; and stand beside the families who carry the weight of grief everyday.

May we never forget and may we always choose unity, kindness and unwavering support for one another. ❤️

09/10/2026

Mrs. Ratchford’s first grade class at Pleasant Valley Elementary is off to a great start!! Students are learning how to choose books that they enjoy and are just right for them to read. Students shop and sort books so they can read every day. Sometimes they earn reading stuffies as a special class reward. Learning is fun in first grade! 📖