Student Life
At Altamont, academics, athletics, the arts, and extracurricular activities are intertwined, creating a seamless fabric of programs and activities designed to stimulate personal growth, learning and sense of community. Students are encouraged to take advantage of many and diverse opportunities to discover more about themselves and their world.
Events and Traditions
The Altamont Solo Competition, held annually in the fall, is open to instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 5-12. Student auditions are judged by a professional guest musician. Winners perform for the student body at an X-period assembly.
Each year several assemblies are designated as formal assemblies. On such occasions, all students, faculty and staff "dress up." Boys wear dress slacks and shirt, coat and tie. Girls wear a dress, skirt or nice slacks. 
Altamont has a popular, school-wide Halloween costume contest, sponsored by the SGA, with prizes going to winners in several categories. 
Homecoming is celebrated during basketball season. It features a spirit week of fun dress up days, leading up to a Friday afternoon of games and booths sponsored by our many clubs, a Scholar's Bowl competition, and class games. 
Mardi Gras is an annual event sponsored by the French Club. There is a cupcake competition and bake sale, with proceeds going to charity. A costume contest is held for 5th and 6th graders, and a musical parade (complete with thrown beads) winds its way through the school. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 
On the first day of May (or as close to May 1 as possible), students and teachers are given the afternoon off to enjoy one last “hurrah” before exams. During May Day, clubs set up booths and sell items and treats, There are games, a talent show, a teacher dunk dank, and a huge, amazing barbecue meal prepared by the Diner staff. It is truly one of the highlights of the Altamont school year. 
Every student participates in Altamont's longest running tradition, the poetry competition. In English class, students select a poem and write an introduction that describes the poem and why the student feels connected to it. Students then read both the introduction and the poem to the class. Winners of the class-level portion of the competition advance to perform their poem at a school-wide assembly and in front of independent judges who select first, second and third place. There is a middle school competition and an upper school competition. 
Roundtable is a meal and talent show hosted by the senior class. Each year, the seniors decorate the gym the week leading to Roundtable. This theme is kept a secret from the rest of the school and is revealed on the night of Roundtable. Previous themes have included Shrek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Clubs and Organizations
- The Acta Diurna
- Addiction Prevention Coalition
- Altamont Ambassadors
- Altamont Beacon
- Altamont Book Club
- Altamont eSports
- Altamont Fencing Club
- Altamont Gaming Club
- Altamont Musicians Society
- Altapreneurs
- Amazing Shake
- Asian Culture Club
- Basil M. Parks National Honor Society
- Bracelets for Kids (BFK)
- The C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Program
- Carpentry Club
- Chess Club
- Computing for Everyone (C4E)
- D23 Club
- Debate Team
- Desi Culture Club
- EcoAltamont
- Elizabeth Brooke National Junior Honor Society
- French Club
- Friends of the World
- Gender Sexuality Alliance
- Girls Who Code
- GirlSpring
- Honors Reading Seminar
- Juggling Club
- Knightly Chefs
- Knight's Table
- Latin Club
- Mu Alpha Theta
- National Art Honor Society
- Outdoor Club
- Pep Band
- Positivity Pals
- Scholars Bowl Team
- Spanish Club
- Spirit Club/Lettermen
- Student Government Association
- Young Conservatives
- Young Democrats
Addiction Prevention Coalition (APC) is a student group that meets twice a month with a counselor from the Birmingham chapter of APC to discuss healthy habits and lifestyle.
Every month students select a new, fun book to read and then meet off-campus at different, cool locations to discuss. Food is usually involved. If you love to read, this is the club for you!
Learn team building and life skills while competing in fun video game challenges to win cool prizes, help charities, and potentially earn scholarship money. This club is open to all students.
All students are welcome to join this club, no experience is needed. The Fencing Club promotes the sport both at the school and in the wider community.
Board game enthusiasts, unite! Whether its a quick game of Scrabble during activities or longer strategy games like Risk that evolve over days, the Altamont Gaming Club has something for every interest and schedule. For the upcoming school year, the club is working with Mrs. Rogers to build a gaming collection in the library and to supply our popular Game Nights with fun games.
The Altamont Musicians Society is a student-run record label begun in 2005. The club has become an integral part of student-organized concerts and musical activities. The goals of AMS are to:
This club meets after school and is open to middle school students interested in fun activities that teach professional conduct, social skills, discipline and respect.
The Asian Culture Club’s mission is to provide students from middle to upper school with exposure to Asian cultures and traditions, including Chinese New Year and Holi Festival. The club will highlight annual Asian cultural events for the school’s global education mission in an entertaining and enjoyable way.
Altamont's chapter of the National Honor Society promotes and encourages enthusiasm for superior scholarship, exemplary qualities of character, trustworthy leadership, and a willingness to serve. Members are chosen by a faculty council based on outstanding scholarship, character, leadership, and service.
This upper school club will meet to make friendship bracelets to give to children at The Ronald McDonald House.
This group is open to upper school students who want to learn the lifelong skill of how to properly use hand and power tools to build small and large projects. 
Whether you are an expert or new to the game, the chess club welcomes you. We will discuss openings, strategies, and just have fun playing the game.
C4E is a club with something for everyone--whether you are interested in coding, 3D printing, cybersecurity, designing apps and websites, AI, or augmented reality. Plus, we have a lot of fun!
The D23 Club is a "magical" new club at Altamont, and it celebrates all things Disney! Students can talk about Disney, watch Disney movies, participate in Disney Lip-sync competitions and dream about trips to Disneyland/World. 
Altamont's debate teams compete at the local, state and national level. In 2019, two of our varsity public forum teams placed 2nd and 3rd in state and advanced to the national tournament. Our junior varsity public forum teams placed 1st and 2nd in state. Both teams advanced to nationals and one team placed in the top 16 in the nation in middle school public forum.
This new student group celebrates Desi culture by observing religious/national holidays and traditions, and by serving authentic food at festive gatherings.
This club is open to all students and has as its mission to decrease the school's carbon footprint and make Altamont an even more eco-friendly community.
The French Club broadens appreciation of French culture through entertaining (and often tasty) events. Annual activities include dramatic competitions at the French Convention, Mardi Gras, and the Eric Vincent concert!
Friends of the World is a middle school club that strives to serve anywhere in the global community in which service is needed. This may mean service work or sponsoring an awareness activity that points to a larger global issue. Recently, we have served Stop Hunger Now, St. Martin's in the Pines, Juvenile Diabetes, and the Lily Memorial Soccer Tournament. 
This club is open to all students in grades 7-12 who are interested in supporting love and acceptance. Through meetings and fun events the GSA seeks to involve all people in the life of the Altamont community.
Girls Who Code is an after-school club for 5th and 6th grade girls to explore coding in a fun and friendly environment.
GirlSpring is a national non-profit located in Birmingham, Alabama, whose mission is to empower girls by providing them with accurate information, inspiring events, and positive female role models. GirlSpring has an online community for girls, Springboarders teen leaders, and public programs.
The Honors Reading Seminar began in 1969 as a joint venture between Birmingham University School and Brooke Hill to honor our best readers. Over the years the seminar has encouraged our students to read some of the world’s finest books as select students meet with a different teacher each month to discuss a great work. It is one of our proudest traditions. Students in grades 10-12 apply at the beginning of the school year to participate.
The goal of the juggling club is to teach the Altamont student body an impressive and useful skill that improves coordination, ability to work with both hands, and mental focus. The club is open to all students and meets after school and during activities.
Middle school students in Knightly Chefs enjoy learning simple techniques for fun snacks and sponsor seasonal events, including bake sales and an annual French Market soup sale.
The Latin Club seeks to broaden Altamont's understanding and appreciation of ancient Rome and Greek civilizations and cultures. Latin Club students attend an awesome annual convention (in togas) and host fun events during the year.
Mu Alpha Theta is a national high school mathematics society. The requirements for membership at Altamont include a high honors grade in two consecutive or concurrent courses of high school mathematics and successful completion of Algebra I and Geometry.
NAHS gives upper school visual art and photography students an opportunity to participate in a national organization that inspires and recognizes students who have demonstrated passion and dedication to their art and community service. Students have leadership growth opportunities, help with college and career preparation, and chances to give back to the community both within our school and our local community. This program highlights the hard work and dedication of Altamont’s creative, artistic students. 
Outdoor Club plans hikes and other other adventures that encourage students to explore nature and the world surrounding them. Will Denniston, a member of the club, has prepared a 
Altamont's pep band brings school spirit and funky tunes to home volleyball and basketball games. Members of orchestra and other music classes are automatically members of pep band; others musicians wishing to join the band attend after school practices.
Positivity Pals is a student group focused on spreading good cheer throughout the school by hosting events such as Positividay, Funky Sock Friday, and finals week stress relievers, and putting up encouraging messages around the school.
This club seeks to broaden Altamont's understanding and appreciation of Hispanic culture. Activities throughout the year include Chupa-Chup Day, Spanish Holiday activities, and Spanish Club dinners.
Spirit Club and the Lettermen support Altamont athletics by planning Spirit Week and pep rallies, making fun signs, cheering during games, and much more! Go Knights!
Young Conservatives is open to all students and aims to improve political discourse and encourage openmindedness.
Young Democrats welcomes all students interested in politics. The club works to raise awareness around a variety of social and political issues.