Austin High School (Minnesota)

Austin High School (originally called Franklin School when constructed in 1869) is a public high school in Austin, Minnesota, United States.[2] It is part of Austin Public Schools, established in 1857. The home of the Packers, the school has over 1,250 students; AHS prides itself on having strong academics, athletics, and fine arts. The school colors are Scarlet and White, and the sports team is the Packers. AHS is a member of the Big 9 Conference.

Austin High School
Address
Map
301 3rd St NW

Austin
,
Minnesota
55912

United States
Coordinates43°40′06″N 92°58′45″W / 43.6683°N 92.9791°W / 43.6683; -92.9791
Information
School typePublic High School
Established1869
School district492
SuperintendentJoey Page
PrincipalMatt Schmidt
Staff91.49 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Number of students1,356 (2018-19)[1]
Student to teacher ratio14.82[1]
Hours in school day7
Color(s)Scarlet and White   
SongAustin High Gives Hail to Thee
Fight songAHS Fight Song; Scarlet and White
Athletics conferenceBig 9 Conference
MascotPackers
NewspaperThe Sentinel
YearbookAustinian
Feeder schoolsEllis Middle School
WebsiteAustin High School
Austin High School. Shown here is the 1919 building and the main entrance to the 1939 addition, which continues to the left.

School layout edit

The original (north) block and first addition (south block) are laid out in a fashion where the classrooms all have exterior windows. The only exception being what was the original south hall of the original (north) block which currently overlooks the commons area. The interior of the north block of the building houses the school's library/media center on the main floor and the original auditorium – named Christgau Hall – on the second and third floors. The interior of the south block / first addition houses Knowlton Auditorium and Ove Berven gym. The basement of the south block/first addition is home to the school's cafeteria. The second addition which is located to the south of the main classroom blocks is home to the competition gymnasium, locker rooms, a wrestling mezzanine above the locker rooms, and another gym which has a composite-type floor and is used mainly for wrestling and gymnastics. Across Fourth Street to the west of the main building is the school's Annex building. It is home to industrial arts, child care, and music programs. It is connected to the main building via a tunnel under the street. The Annex basement contains the school's weight room and a small auditorium. The Annex recently received a second floor addition which houses the MacPhail Center for Music.

 
Pool
 
Exterior architectural detail of the school's 1911 section

Sports available edit

 
Packer Dome, a seasonal athletic facility located at Haas Stadium/Wescott Field and managed by Austin Public Schools.
  • Dance Team (Girls)
  • Cheer Team (Girls)
  • Gymnastics (Girls)
  • Softball (Girls)
  • Basketball (Boys/Girls)
  • Soccer (Boys/Girls)
  • Tennis (Boys/Girls)
  • Golf (Boys/Girls)
  • Wrestling (Boys/Girls)
  • Hockey (Boys/Girls)
  • Bowling (Boys/Girls)
  • Cross Country (Boys/Girls)
  • Track and Field (Boys/Girls)
  • Swimming/Diving (Boys/Girls)
  • Football (Boys)
  • Baseball (Boys)
  • Clay Target Shooting (Co-ed)

Other information edit

Austin is a member of the Big Nine athletic and music conference. Austin High School is in the hometown of Hormel Foods Headquarters. The population was 24,718 at the 2010 census. "Spam Town USA," as Austin is sometimes called, is also home to the Spam Museum. American Football coach and broadcaster John Madden and 2-time U.S. Open golf champion Lee Janzen were born in Austin.

Notable alumni edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "AUSTIN SENIOR HIGH". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  2. ^ Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn (1911). The History of Mower County, Minnesota (Illustrated). H. C. Cooper, Jr. & Company. p. 275.

External links edit