Air Academy High School
Encyclopedia
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 in the US built on a military academy (School District 20 also has an elementary school on academy property). 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.
for the '57-'58 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 is now referred to as 'A' building, and 'B' building was added the second year after the original building was constructed. Through the years, two other buildings were constructed to supplement the growing student population. The two buildings were fittingly named 'C' and 'D' building. It is the second oldest high school in Colorado Springs behind Palmer High School .
AAHS also offers the Advanced Placement program to students in numerous subject areas.
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 achievements
by 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. She has some disease that makes her tiny. However, this did not stop her from "Rocking the pants off of all the judges (wink)" Eric Fridell.
Track and Field
The Marching Band also placed 1st in AA at the 2011 San Antonio Bands of America (BoA) Super Regionals.
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".
, Discovery Canyon Campus
, The Classical Academy
, Air Academy High School, and Pine Creek High School
. The unit won Distinguished Unit with 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 Colonel Rob Huber and Master Sergeant Anthony Rush. Each class is broken down into "flights" consisting of A Flight-G Flight.
History
The school was opened in 1956 on the grounds of the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
for the '57-'58 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 is now referred to as 'A' building, and 'B' building was added the second year after the original building was constructed. Through the years, two other buildings were constructed to supplement the growing student population. The two buildings were fittingly named 'C' and 'D' building. 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
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 achievements
by 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
Foot Locker
Foot Locker, Inc. is an American sportswear and footwear retailer, with its headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, and operating in approximately 20 countries worldwide. Formerly known as Venator Group, Inc., it is the successor corporation to the F.W. Woolworth Company , and many of...
Regional and fifth at the national competition, only twelve seconds behind the winner. She has some disease that makes her tiny. However, this did not stop her from "Rocking the pants off of all the judges (wink)" Eric Fridell.
State Titles
- Baseball
- 1989
- Basketball
- 1989 (M)
- Cheerleading (not a sport)
- 2001 (co-ed)
- 2003 (co-ed)
- 2004 (co-ed)
- 2005 (co-ed)
- 2009 (co-ed)
- 2010 (F)
- Football
- 1962
- Ice Hockey
- 1995
- 2000
- 2005
- Swimming & Diving
- 1993 (M)
- 1999 (M)
- Lacrosse
- 1990 (M)
- 1991 (M)
- 1992 (M)
- 2009 (F)
- Soccer
- 1980 (M) First year Colorado elevated soccer to a varsity sport
- 1990 (M)
- 1992 (M)
- 1993 (W)
- 2010 (M)
Track and Field
-
- 1994 (m) 4x100 Mark Booker, Derien Latimer, Dean Donegan, Terry Thompson
Instrumental music program
Air Academy has received national acclaim for its numerous musical ensembles. Its marching band has consistently been in the top five for the past 20 years with state titles in 1994, 1998, 1999, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 along with percussion caption awards in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2003.The Marching Band also placed 1st in AA at the 2011 San Antonio Bands of America (BoA) Super Regionals.
Choir program
The school boasts multiple choirs, as well as three a capella groups. There is an all boys a capella group named the Inflatable Misconceptions, an all girls a capella group named C' est la vie, and a mixed a capella group named Out of the Blue.Drama program
Air Academy has a drama department that includes an award winning chapter of the National ThespianActor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
Honors Society. Additionally, the program put on productions of The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers
The Three Musketeers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard...
and Chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, 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 schools eligible are Liberty High School, Rampart High SchoolRampart High School
Rampart High School is located in Academy School District 20 of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Rampart opened as only the second high school in the district in 1983, and was awarded the National School of Excellence award in 1989. It is one of only 2 high schools in Colorado Springs with the...
, Discovery Canyon Campus
Discovery Canyon Campus School
Discovery Canyon Campus is a prekindergarten-12 school in Academy School District 20 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. The campus was opened in fall of 2005 for 5th and 6th grade students. DCC became an International Baccalaureate World School in May 2008.The school offers the IB Primary...
, The Classical Academy
The Classical Academy (Colorado)
The Classical Academy is a kindergarten through twelfth grade charter school located in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Classical Academy's mission statement is "The Classical Academy exists to assist parents in their mission to develop exemplary citizens equipped with analytical thinking...
, Air Academy High School, and Pine Creek High School
Pine Creek High School
Pine Creek High School is a public high school in Academy School District 20 that serves the Pine Creek, Gleneagle, Black Forest, Northgate and Flying Horse Ranch neighborhoods of north Colorado Springs...
. The unit won Distinguished Unit with 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 Colonel Rob Huber and Master Sergeant Anthony Rush. Each class is broken down into "flights" consisting of A Flight-G Flight.
Notable alumni
- T. A. BarronT. A. BarronThomas Archibald Barron is an American writer of fantasy literature, books for children and young adults, and nature books.-Biography:...
, Fantasy Writer - Linden KingLinden KingLinden Keith King was a linebacker who played thirteen seasons in the NFL 9 for the San Diego Chargers and 4 for the Los Angeles Raiders....
, Pro Football - Pat FordePat FordePat Forde is a sports journalist who currently serves as a national columnist for Yahoo Sports.- Work :Forde is currently a writer for Yahoo Sports. Forde left ESPN on November 1, 2011 to pursue a career with more journalistic freedom. Prior to leaving ESPN, Forde was a staple on radio and...
, ESPN - Wil McCarthyWil McCarthyWil McCarthy is a science fiction novelist, Chief Technology Officer for Galileo Shipyards , and the science columnist for Syfy...
, Inventor, Scientist, Science Fiction Writer - Matt SlausonMatt Slauson-2009:The New York Jets selected Slauson with their sixth round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Jets offensive line coach Bill Callahan previously coached Slauson at Nebraska who was considered versatile, athletic and durable. Slauson was signed to a four year deal by the team in May...
, New York Jets - Donald CerroneDonald CerroneDonald Anthony Cerrone is an American mixed martial artist and Muay Thai kickboxer who fights out of Albuquerque, New Mexico and currently competes as a lightweight in the UFC...
,World Extreme Cagefighting, Pro MMA Fighter - David Kibler, DJ and Morning Show Host-KDWB Minneapolis/St. Paul