Freshmen and sophomores at Altamont Community High School participated in business tours across Altamont following ACT testing day, according to a Mar. 31 announcement. The tours gave students firsthand exposure to careers in manufacturing, communications, agriculture, healthcare, retail services, and local government.
The initiative aimed to help students connect classroom learning with real-world jobs available in their community. Students visited several businesses including BK Resources, MBS Communications, Irwin Seating Company, Lutheran Care Center, Kremer Pharmacy, The Equity, and Altamont City Hall.
At MBS Communications, Karly Brummer said: “I enjoyed visiting MBS Communications. They were welcoming, especially Rachel Hammer.” Lydia Aldrich also shared her experience: “I really loved touring MBS. The people were really welcoming and happy to talk to us and answer any questions we had. I also liked touring the Pharmacy; they filled us in on everything they do in a day and how everything happens behind the scenes.”
Agriculture was another focus for many students. Garrett Frederking said: “I really enjoyed the Equity tour and seeing how they fill their tanks with fertilizer.” Alyssa Ruholl reflected on her visit to Irwin Seating Company by saying: “I thought Irwin was pretty neat and I did not realize how big their business was. Also I was unaware that they make bleachers for college teams that are far away.” Genevie Burrus appreciated the overall opportunity: “I liked the fact that Mrs. Bueker wanted all freshmen and sophomores to go tour businesses to see what it was like… Overall I really liked the experience.”
Altamont Community Unit School District 10 represents Effingham and Fayette counties; both Altamont Grade School and Altamont High School are part of this district according to state records. The district enrolled 646 students during the 2019-2020 school year as a unit district serving pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade according to official data.
District figures show there are 54 teachers earning an average salary of $49,144 before pension contributions; most (81.6 percent) are women while men comprise 18.4 percent according to state education data. There were no teachers with more than ten absences per year reported.
Demographically, Altamont Community Unit School District 10 is made up of about 96 percent White students; Black students represent half a percent; Hispanic students account for just over one percent; Asian students make up two-tenths of a percent as reported by ISBE.
Financially, per-student spending stood at $16,148 in 2020—totaling $10 million across the district according to financial reports. In terms of attendance issues during that period there were twenty-three chronically truant students (3.6 percent), which is below Illinois’ statewide average of nearly ten percent state education data shows.
Altamont Community High School thanked all participating businesses for helping prepare its future workforce by providing hands-on learning experiences.
