Albany High School was a four-year secondary school located in Albany, Georgia, United States. It was a part of the Dougherty County School System and educated students in grades 9-12. Albany High School was established in 1886 after H.M. McIntosh, editor of the Albany News and Advertiser, initiated a campaign to raise the funds necessary to erect the school. It was the first high school in the county. Two years after the school opened, it was destroyed by a fire of unknown origin. Classes were temporarily held in the town courthouse while the academy was rebuilt. Student enrollment rapidly increased during the first two decades. Overcrowding led to expansion and a new building was constructed in 1908. Located at the intersection of Monroe Street and Society Avenue, it contained ten classrooms. In 1925, the high school moved to 1000 North Jefferson Street and in the fall of 1954, it relocated to Residence Avenue. On June 6, 2017, the Dougherty County School System voted to close the school after summer classes finished. Rising seniors were allowed to choose to attend any one of the three remaining high schools.

Academics

In the fall of 1999, a Magnet Honors Program was added to the curriculum.

School athletics

Basketball

The boys' basketball team was coached by Archie Chatmon for more than 30 years, during which time he accrued a winning 56%. Coach Chatmon appeared in two State Championship games, both lost to their crosstown rival, Westover, in 1990 and 1993.

Football

The school won one State Championship, in 1959.

Baseball

The 1996 team was considered the best team in school history. The team went 24-0 in the regular season (Region 1-AAA Champions). Albany High was swept in a best of 3 by Hardaway, (they defeated Hardaway twice in the regular season) in the second round of the AAA State Playoffs. The Indians baseball team finished the 1996 season at 26-2.

School stadium

Hugh Mills Stadium was dedicated to Hugh M. Mills, the school's principal from 1923 to 1925. The stadium was located near the school, at 601 North Van Buren Street. It was used by teams from all four public high schools: the Albany Indians (now closed), Dougherty Trojans, Monroe Tornadoes, and Westover Patriots football and track teams. It was also the host of the girls' state track meet for all five GHSA classifications. Albany High was the only school in the Dougherty County School System to have an on-site football stadium, so all the high schools in Dougherty County used Hugh Mills as a home field. To alleviate confusion during games between schools, signs were posted at each of the entrance gates to designate the home team. If the three schools have home games on the same weekend, games were played on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

Extracurricular activities

School traditions

Events

Alma mater

(To the tune of "You're a Grand Old Flag") You're a grand old school You're the school that we love And forever in honor we'll hold, Alma mater dear, We you revere, The boast of the brave and the bold. Every heart beats true, One for all we're for you, And your memory we e'er shall bless: For should "Auld Acquaintance" be forgot, Here's to you dear old AHS.

Notable alumni