Possibly the most unknown of all stairwells, stairwell C is truly a hidden gem. Servicing the second and third floors of the A building, C leads to English, foreign language and science classes. It has a similar build to stairwell D; however, it is much more spacious. This is in part due to the larger landing space and decreased flow of traffic. This stairwell is lacking in aesthetics; the layout is nothing revolutionary; it lacks windows and doesn’t make up for the lack of view in art. Because it is more lightly travelled, it doesn’t often have an odor and is among the more pleasant-smelling of the stairwells. Overall, a standard stairwell boosted in rank by its hidden gem status.

This stairwell was heavily disputed on if it should count, but it’s being counted for the sake of the ranking. It only gives access to the first and second floors of the B building. The doors to this stairwell are some of the heaviest in the building, serving as an inconvenience for those students carrying many supplies. Although it does have a very large window, allowing for some great views of the front of the school, this also gives its travellers a feeling of exposure, as the whole parking lot can see inside. This stairwell’s real claim to fame is how loved it is by fine arts students. The stairwell is located in the hallway with the fine arts classrooms (chorus, band and orchestra), which makes it very convenient for musicians to use for private rehearsal. The acoustics of the stairwell provide for a euphoric sound, suitable for both voices and instruments.

“[My favorite has] got to be that one [B1],” junior Lydia Wise said. “It smells bad, but it has really good acoustics.”

Although it may be small and not very well known, there is certainly lots of love for it.

This stairwell really does not have too much going for it. It spans across all three of the B building floors, but that’s really all it has in its favor. The one aspect of this stairwell that is somewhat interesting is the roof access. Although it makes this stairwell unique, it doesn’t do much for the actual practicality. Being in the back corner of the building makes it a hassle to reach and navigate even with the exit doors. The only people who really benefit from it are those few classrooms at the end of the hall, and even they are more often accessed by other routes. This does offer a more secluded feel, however, which is one plus.

“It’s got to be the one by Ms. Eckels [B5] because no one goes there,” senior Sadi Steiner said.

This is one of the best stairwells in the school. It allows access across all three floors of the B building and offers stunning views of the sweeping landscape behind the junior high. These views add to the atmosphere of an already secluded and beautiful stairwell. The scent is not pungent and distracting like other stairwells, and it gives direct access to both the basement and fine arts rooms. There is also an exit door and this stairwell puts you towards the front of the building for another exit route. Overall, the combined breathtaking views of the rolling hills and scenic architecture in Altoona and the light foot traffic, as well as being a convenient exit route, make this stairwell one of the school’s best.

“Out of all the stairwells, I’d have to say B building stair B2, any level,” senior Braxton Eckenrode said. “It’s the best because it’s not very travelled during the day, and it has a lot of natural light. It gives off a serene vibe.”

This is an underrated stairwell. It, like many of its kind, reaches all three floors of the B building. What really makes this stairwell legendary are the classes it leads to. This stairwell allows easy access to Joe Falger, Caleb Marasco and John Saboe with his beloved dog McKinley. This stairwell does not have many other aspects other than some windows looking out at the junior high, but these are not the best aspects of the stairwell. The sheer convenience of this stairwell is really what makes it special even if the teachers may not agree. The only factor working against a perfect rating is the smell. This stairwell is the most consistently odorous, leading to a few docked points.

Many students have expressed unawareness this stairwell exists. Located in the closed cafeteria, it gives access to both the field house and the foods classrooms’ hallway. The issue with this stairwell is its positioning; it is very inconvenient and only has one real niche; to connect the closed cafeteria and field house. It is convenient for the inflow, but for the outflow onto the bridge, it can interrupt the flow of traffic as students cut across the lanes of pedestrians.

This stairwell is the keystone of the A building. It provides access to all three floors, and features a unique layout. Recently, the stairwell has been upgraded and includes a new mural. Many students have expressed differing opinions on the new mural; however, as some prefer the newer, more modern design, while others prefer the old mural’s humanity and reflection of student life.

“I like the one back near the stage door [B2]. It’s so comforting and quiet,” senior Samarra Wertz said. “If I’m talking about stairways I use during the day, I lowkey like the one the A building has with the new mural [E]; I like the old mural better though.”

The divided set-up allows traffic to flow well, and students have access to two or three exit doors (depending on the floor) which better direct the flow of foot traffic.

“The B building stairwells are too sharp; I’d say the A building stairwell E [is the best],” science teacher Stephanie McAleer said.

Stairwell B is similar to stairwell E; however, it is much better. It, too, has three-floor access, but the design is much more pleasing. Located in a corner, the stairwell doesn’t need much in terms of traffic direction, but it has a similar layout to stairwell E’s, which is greatly appreciated. Beyond the stairwell’s aesthetic appeal, it also services some of the A building’s most interesting areas: the pool and planetarium. Additionally, it has wonderful acoustics and utilizes convex mirrors to prevent pedestrian collision, making it all the more convenient.

When people think of stairwells, they think of stairwells similar to this one. Providing access to the second and third floors of the A building, it is a very convenient stairwell. It is out of the way of the usual foot traffic in the A building and has a very eye-catching mural. What this stairwell lacks in windows and views, it makes up for with the mural, which adds to the overall spectacle and atmosphere of the stairwell. It is never too congested, and does not disrupt the flow of traffic. A very solid stairwell.

This stairwell has just about nothing going for it. Although it reaches all three B building floors, that is really all it does. None of the levels lead to anything convenient. Where others let out right at hallways, this one greets pedestrians to blank walls, interrupting the flow of traffic. It does have an exit and some windows to let in light and see outside, but other than that this stairwell is just a bit boring. The views offered are largely obscured by the junior high building, contrasting with its counterparts with amazing views. Overall, this stairwell is more inconvenient than anything and is often circumvented

This is by far the most recognizable stairwell in the school. It connects the first floor of the B building to the second floor. The spectacle of this stairwell is its main characteristic. The layout is certainly the most eye-catching of the stairwells in the school.

“B building grand staircase right up here [to the bridge is the best] because it’s the prettiest. It’s nice and open and bright,” history teacher Mackenzie Negri said.

However, the foot traffic, especially during the school day, is a major flaw. It leads to traffic jams, pedestrians running into each other due to the sharp corners and the narrow passageway limits the number of pedestrians able to actually use it during a time. Especially for those students travelling up and not proceeding to the bridge, it makes the landing especially hard to navigate. When an event like an assembly occurs during a school day, severe traffic jams block the stairwell. Overall, this stairwell has a great atmosphere but fails when it comes to practicality.

“[I have] not really [given the topic much thought],” math teacher Joe Falger said. “I would say that I think the best one is the main one. The landing of the main stairwell makes it very grand.”

It would feel wrong to exclude these stairs, but to call them a full stairwell would be to overstate them. The stairs connecting the B building to the bridge are one of the key features of the school, and possibly the most-used stairs everyday. Additionally, they have a nearby accessibility ramp–unlike the other stairs which are entirely replaced by far-away elevators.