A Commitment to Quality

The AASD began its pursuit of Total Quality Education in 1985. Some seven years later, Q-SITE (Quality Schools Involving Teams for Excellence) became a reality.

Q-SITE is a process of decision-making which takes place at each school and actively involves the people who are responsible for increasing student achievement.

Q-SITE teams at each school are comprised of parents, community members, teachers, support staff and the building principal. These stakeholders, using available data, systematically plan, monitor and evaluate goals and projects to continuously improve their schools.

In January, 2002, the school district took another step forward in its pursuit of quality when it received ISO 9001 certification.

ISO 9001, the internationally-recognized standard, provides a guide for establishing, improving and maintaining a quality management system. Certification is proof that the AASD has met these standards. ISO 9001 focuses on customer service, standardization of processes and procedures, strategic planning and continuous improvement.

District Facts

• The school district encompasses 59.6 square miles in the city of Altoona, Logan Township and a small portion of Tyrone Township.
  
• The physical plant covers 128 acres and more than 1.6 million square feet are maintained.
  
• The assessed value of the school district exceeds $220 million.
  
• With 8,300 students, Altoona Area is one of Pennsylvania's largest school districts.
  
• AASD has ten elementary schools, two junior high schools, one high school, a secondary alternative education school and a Community Education Center.
  
• Construction of the state-of-the-art Altoona Area Junior High School that will be completed in 2008. It will offer enhanced technology including wireless Internet and computing.
  
• The Community Education Center in the Stevens Building serves more than 1,000 clients each year. GED test preparation, job skill training and academic refresher courses are offered.
  
• The Family Literacy program is recognized by the Department of Education as one of the best in PA.
  
• Seventy-five percent of the Class of 2007 will move on to post secondary education.
  
• The school district operates two television channels, Public Access and Educational Access, from studios located in Altoona Area High School.
  
• School cafeterias serve 1,775 breakfasts and 5,700 lunches daily.
  
• On a daily basis, buses and vans transport 3,960 students to AASD schools and 577 students to non-public schools.
  
• AASD is one of Blair County's largest employers with more than 1,500 staff members.

• In 2003, the school district was inducted into the Chamger's Business Hall of Fame.
  
• Employees play active roles in community organizations like the Altoona Blair County Development Corporation, the Allegheny Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau, the American Cancer Society and the Altoona Railroaders Museum.
  
  
  If you have any questions about programs or services, please write to the AASD Public Relations Office, 1415 Sixth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, or call 814-946-8424. Complete packets of information will be mailed upon request.