· leader ship the c. kyser miree ethical leadership center is the umbrella program under which...

4801 Altamont Road South | Birmingham, AL 35222 | Phone: (205) 879-2006 | Fax: (205) 871-5666

www.altamontschool.org

The Altamont School admits students of any race, color, creed, gender, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions practices, employment practices, or other school-administered programs.

WHY CHOOSE ALTAMONT?

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WHY CHOOSE ALTAMONT?

The Missionof The Altamont School is to improve the

fabric of society by graduating compas-

sionate, well-educated individuals capable

of independent thinking and innovative

ideas. To this end, the school attracts, nur-

tures, and challenges students whose

commitment to truth,

knowledge, and honor

will prepare them not

only for rigorous college

programs, but also for

productive lives.

The Altamont environ-

ment is one of respect

and encouragement;

where it is cool to be

smart; where students

feel free to take intellec-

tual risks; where passions are discovered.

After more than thirty years of teaching

at Altamont and over eight as Head of

School, I am still so proud of the depth and

breadth of our program, our students’

fervor in its undertaking, and the

commitment with which it is sustained by

our community. I hope you enjoy learning

more about all that Altamont has to offer,

and I look forward to seeing you on

campus!

Sincerely,

Sarah W. Whiteside, Head of School

n Altamont offers a challenging college preparatory

curriculum where every class is taught at the Honors

level. It includes numerous AP offerings, college-level

mathematics, sciences, foreign languages, and a

multitude of fine arts and elective courses.

n To prepare students further for college academics,

Altamont offers semester-long seminars for seniors in

English and History. Seminars give students exposure

to more specialized subject matter while providing

experience with the semester-long course model

found in most undergraduate programs.

n For a complete list of course offerings and graduation

requirements, please refer to the Curriculum Guide

found on the “Academics” page under the “Our Program” section of the Altamont website.

Academics

From the Northeast to the Southwest to overseas,

Altamont graduates are sprinkled around the globe

doing great things. We are so proud of the many and

varied schools Altamont students are admitted to

and attend. An institution’s selectivity, however, is not

synonymous with success, and students must focus

on finding the school that best fits them: their goals,

passions, strengths, and values. The more involved

students are in the process, and the more they own

the research, evaluation, and application, the more

successful their college selections, and ultimately

their college careers, will be.

College Counseling

HigHligHts of tHe College AppliCAtion proCess:

n An optional Project Week trip to

visit colleges and universities of all

shapes and sizes

n Approximately 65 college

and university representatives

visit Altamont every year

n Individual student meetings with

the college counseling office followed

by individual family meetings

n A week-long application workshop

n Financial aid meeting for parents

and students

n A college counseling meeting with an

admissions representative from a college

or university to hold a mock admissions

committee and to discuss reading applica-

tions from the other side of the desk

n Saturday hours so students can work

on applications at a time other than

during the school week

n Altamont is an ACT testing site

Cameron Gaede ’84, Director of College Counseling

Honor Code

■ The Honor Code is essential to the fulfillment of

Altamont’s mission. It applies not just to academic

pursuits, but to all aspects of school life.

■ The tenants of the code are simple, to not lie, cheat, or

steal, and they allow students to establish sound moral

and ethical standards that will serve them for the

rest of their lives.

■ Excerpt from “Honor:

The Heartbeat of Altamont,”

a speech given by Jim

Palmer ’70, member of the

Altamont English

Department

–Where else do you find a

high school with a student-

operated Honor Code?

Where else do students rise

when an adult enters the

classroom, and thank the

teacher at the end of class?

Walt Whitman once said,

“Make good people. The rest

follows.” We make good peo-

ple at Altamont. Altamont’s

mission statement, most of

which I am proud to have written, is “to improve the fabric of

society.” I believe passionately that we do this, that society

improves a little with every class of seniors that we graduate.

If I did not believe this, then I might as well be selling shoes…

I am perhaps proudest of our Code of Honor, that when

seniors walk down our halls for the last time, they will realize

that even more than all the wonderful things they learned

inside books here, that honor is the heartbeat of Altamont.

Cameron Gaede ’84, Director of College Counseling

n Altamont enjoys a long tradition of excellence in the

arts built on quality instruction, variety of offerings,

and students’ freedom to explore interests.

n The arts are vital to the core education of each

student as the skills developed in an enriched arts

curriculum can be applied to learning in all subjects.

n Altamont holds a variety of fine arts events on campus

every year including multiple theatrical productions,

choral, orchestral, and jazz band concerts, photography

exhibitions, art shows, and more.

n Fine arts offerings include the following: Fundamentals

of Art, Art I and II, AP Studio Art, Graphic design, Video

Production, Choir, Creative Writing, Music Ensemble,

Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band, Music History, Music Theory,

Music Technology and Composition, digital

Photography, Acting, Musical Theater, and Technical

Theater.

- New arts facilities: Altamont now has a brand new theatre, theatre classroom, art studio, and digital photography studio.

The Arts

n Altamont enjoys a long tradition of excellence in the



n The arts are vital to the core education of each



n Altamont holds a variety of fine arts events on campus




n Fine arts offerings include the following: Fundamentals

of Art, Art I and II, AP Studio Art, Graphic design, Video



Music Technology and Composition, digital


Theater.

- New arts facilities: Altamont now has a brand new theatre, theatre classroom, art studio, and digital photography studio.

The Arts■ Altamont enjoys a long tradition of excellence in the



■ The arts are vital to the core education of each



■ Altamont holds a variety of fine arts events on campus




■ Fine arts offerings include the following: Fundamentals

of Art, Art I and II, AP Studio Art, Graphic Design, Video



Music Technology and Composition, Digital


Theater.

■ New arts facilities: Altamont now has a brand new

theatre, theatre classroom, art studio, and digital

photography studio.

The Arts

LeadershipThe C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center is the umbrella

program under which Altamont operates distinct yet unified

leadership education and global/local awareness initiatives.

■ The Leadership Distinction: The Miree

Leadership Distinction is experiential

education at its finest. Upper School

participants create and implement a

"Miree Project" that serves a need in the

greater Birmingham community. With the

help of an adult mentor, Miree students

execute their Miree Project for two to

three years before defending their

experience. Upon successful completion of

the project and defense, seniors graduate

with the prestigious Miree Leadership

Distinction on their Altamont diploma.

■ Middle School LEAD: LEAD students

examine leadership through collaborative

initiatives and team-building projects

benefitting The Altamont School. LEAD

organizes Middle School dances, the Black

History Month Assembly, and an

interactive school-wide global event.

■ Friends of the World is a Middle School

club, under the Miree Center umbrella, that

strives to serve anywhere in the global

community in which service is needed.

This may mean service work at a local

farm, participating in a fundraising walk, or

sponsoring an awareness activity that

points to a larger global issue. We value

service as one of the highest virtues, we

delight in leading any charge to help, and

actively seek out new opportunities to

share our energy. ■ Altamont's Global Initiative seeks to reinforce the school

mission by providing our students with a variety of globally

compelling and immersive opportunities that expose students

to global realities; educate them about global issues; and

engender creativity, curiosity, and compassion.

■ Service Corps: The Altamont Service Corps connects

service to need. All students and families are encouraged to

participate in this program with the goal of earning the

Presidential Service Award.

Altamont offers students the opportunity to understand what

ethical leadership and global awareness mean, to envision and

create their own expressions of leadership, and ultimately to

discover the power of beauty and service.

LeadershipThe C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Center is the umbrella

program under which Altamont operates distinct yet unified

leadership education and global/local awareness initiatives.

■ The Leadership Distinction: The Miree

Leadership Distinction is experiential

education at its finest. Upper School

participants create and implement a

"Miree Project" that serves a need in the

greater Birmingham community. With the

help of an adult mentor, Miree students

execute their Miree Project for two to

three years before defending their

experience. Upon successful completion of

the project and defense, seniors graduate

with the prestigious Miree Leadership

Distinction on their Altamont diploma.

■ Middle School LEAD: LEAD students

examine leadership through collaborative

initiatives and team-building projects

benefitting The Altamont School. LEAD

organizes Middle School dances, the Black

History Month Assembly, and an

interactive school-wide global event.

■ Friends of the World is a Middle School

club, under the Miree Center umbrella, that

strives to serve anywhere in the global

community in which service is needed.

This may mean service work at a local

farm, participating in a fundraising walk, or

sponsoring an awareness activity that

points to a larger global issue. We value

service as one of the highest virtues, we

delight in leading any charge to help, and

actively seek out new opportunities to

share our energy. ■ Altamont's Global Initiative seeks to reinforce the school

mission by providing our students with a variety of globally

compelling and immersive opportunities that expose students

to global realities; educate them about global issues; and

engender creativity, curiosity, and compassion.

■ Service Corps: The Altamont Service Corps connects

service to need. All students and families are encouraged to

participate in this program with the goal of earning the

Presidential Service Award.

Altamont offers students the opportunity to understand what

ethical leadership and global awareness mean, to envision and

create their own expressions of leadership, and ultimately to

discover the power of beauty and service.

For one week in October, Altamont’s doors swing open and the world

becomes the classroom. A staple of the Altamont curriculum since

the late ‘90s, Project Week allows students to learn through experience.

These dynamic journeys range in subject matter and cost so that every

student can enjoy unique educational opportunities. Project Week

offerings have included the following:

■ 5th Grade: The Environmental Camp at Camp McDowell

■ 7th Grade: Camp High Rocks in western North Carolina

■ 8th Grade: Tour of Washington, D.C.

■ Grades 10-12 (student’s choice):

■ Altamont in Action/Local Service Projects: Altamont Road Path

Clearing, Habitat for Humanity

■ 9th Grade: Leadership Disney, Orlando, Florida

■ Books, Blues, and BBQ: Explore the literary, cultural, and

gastronomical sites of the Mississippi Delta

■ 6th Grade: The Farming Camp at Camp McDowell

■

■

It's All in Your Mind- Local Psychology Week: Explore Psychology

with clinical psychologists and research experts

■

■

Miami and Tampa: Explore the cultural highlights of southern Florida

■

■

Scandinavia: Visit the capitals and sights of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden

Project Week

Chicago: Explore the Art, Architecture, Theatre, and Food of Chicago

Robotics: Construct a robot for UAB's BEST Robotics Competition

Yosemite National Park & San Francisco: Hike the beautiful Yosemite National Park and take in the sights of San Francisco

n Over half of Altamont's student body competes

on one or more of Altamont’s twenty teams.

n Altamont, a 2A member of the Alabama State High

School Athletic Association, is the recipient of mul-

tiple All Sports Trophies for Best Small School Athletic

Program.

n In the past ten years, Altamont has won state titles

in Boys & Girls Soccer, Boys Tennis, Boys & Girls Indoor Track, Boys & Girls Track and Field, and holds

numerous individual event Track and Field state

records. n Altamont athletes learn that what matters even more

than winning is the knowledge that they have given

their best effort, worked well with others to achieve a

common goal, respected opponents, and conducted

themselves graciously whether winning or losing.

n Fall Sports: Volleyball, Boys & Girls Cross Country

n Winter Sports: Boys & Girls Basketball, Bowling, Indoor Track, Swimming

n Spring Sports: Baseball, Boys & Girls Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field

Athleticsn Over half of Altamont's student body competes





Program.












Athletics

n Over half of Altamont's student body competes





Program.












Athletics

Altamont seeks highly motivated students

who crave greater breadth and challenge in

all areas of school life.

Prospective parents and students can

experience life at Altamont by attending an

open house, touring campus, scheduling a

student shadow day, or attending an

exhibit, concert, play, or athletic event.

Students deciding to apply to Altamont

should follow the admission check list to

ensure that their applications are complete.

The check list and all other application

materials are available at

www.altamontschool.org under the “How To

Apply” section of "Admissions."

Please contact Thomas Goldsmith,

director of Admissions, at 205-445-1232 or

[email protected] if you

have any questions about Altamont, the

application process, or if you would like

to schedule a visit. We hope to see you

on campus soon!

Admissions

Thomas Goldsmith ’94, Director of Admissions

4801 Altamont Road South | Birmingham, AL 35222 | Phone: (205) 879-2006 | Fax: (205) 871-5666

www.altamontschool.org

The Altamont School admits students of any race, color, creed, gender, or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. It does not

discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions practices, employment practices, or other school-administered programs.

· leader ship the c. kyser miree ethical leadership center is the umbrella program under which...

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