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 Musicians Society
- Altamont Thespians (Troupe 251)
- Asian Culture Club
- Basil M. Parks National Honor Society
- The C. Kyser Miree Ethical Leadership Program
- Cool Cat Club
- Debate Team
- Environmental Club
- Elizabeth Brooke National Junior Honor Society
- French Club
- Friends of the World
- Gender Sexuality Alliance
- Latin Club
- Mu Alpha Theta
- National Art Honor Society
- Outdoor Club
- Pep Band
- Positivity Pals
- Scholars Bowl Team
- Spanish Club
- Spikeball
- Spirit Club/Lettermen
- Student Government Association
- Junior United Nations Assembly (JUNA)
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.
The purpose of the club is to promote a love of literature in a positive, nurturing environment. Open to both upper school and middle school students, this club will have monthly meetings.
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:
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.
Altamont's debate teams compete at the local, state and national level. This club is open to middle and upper school students.
This club is open to all students and has as its mission to decrease our school's carbon footprint and fight against the climate crisis.
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 middle school and upper school 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.
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. 
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. Their goal is to break down stigmas around mental health and to foster dialogue and awareness.
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!