Altavista High School

Altavista Combined School is a public school in Altavista, Virginia. The school houses both the middle school and high school in the same building, and the current enrollment is about 700 students (6–12). Their mascot is named "The Colonel", and their sports teams are named "The Colonels". The school is a member of VHSL and competes with the Group A Dogwood District.

History
In 1910, the first schoolhouse in Altavista was built, and it contained 4 rooms and was built of wood. Prior to then, the children of Altavista were schooled in a shantyhouse, with Ms. Pearl Yeaman as principal. In 1913, 4 new rooms were added on top of the building, and after a fire destroyed the original building in 1917, further iterations of the building were constructed out of bricks and concrete. The first school yearbook, The Original, was published in 1917, and in 1918/19, the school had an enrollment of 297 students, both elementary and high school, and J. S. Pruitt was principal. In 1920, the school was accredited.

The first recorded use of orange and black to symbolize the school was in The Nuntius 1925, where the football team was called "The Orange and Black". In The Nuntius 1929, the school song cheers on "The Orange and the Black".

In 1979, a separate high school section was built containing an auditorium, a "media center", and high school classrooms.

Athletics
Division A state championship titles:
 * Football: 2009, 2013, 2014
 * Volleyball: 2002
 * Boys Cross Country: 2010
 * Boys Basketball: 2004, 2013, 2014, 2015
 * Girls Basketball: 2004
 * Softball: 2009

Forensics
Numerous state titles.

Nuntius yearbook

 * VHSL Trophy Class
 * Columbia Scholastic Press Association Silver Crown
 * Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Crown
 * National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Finalist

Notable alumni

 * Juan Thornhill, NFL player