About Applied Arts, Science and Technology Academy (AASTA)

To understand the history of the Applied Arts, Science and Technology Academy, you have to understand the history of Rezin Orr High School, the origins of which date back to the early part of the last century. Until 1915 or 1916 (records conflict over the exact date), a Branch of Keeler Avenue Elementary School convened in a rented space at North Kildare Avenue & Cortez Street. This Branch of Keeler Avenue Elementary was eventually replaced by the Rezin Orr Elementary School, which was also held in a rented space, this one at Keeler Avenue & Augusta Street starting in 1918. In 1919 Orr finally moved into a non-rented building constructed specifically for use as a school at 1040 North Keeler Avenue.

Many branches and divisions of Orr Elementary came and went through the years. In 1920 a Branch of Austin High School opened in Orr. From December 1958 through 1962, the third floor of Orr housed Our Lady of Angels Catholic School. When the Catholic School moved out, a Branch of Marshall High School moved in. In 1935 a Prevocational Branch of Orr opened in Orr Elementary. Orr Vocational Center was established later; in 1945 its name changed to Orr Vocational Preparatory School. On June 25, 1958, the vocational division of Orr closed, leaving only the elementary school with kindergarten through sixth-grade students.

In 1963 Rezin Orr High School opened in the same building as Orr Elementary and remained there till 1973, at which time Orr High moved into its own newly-erected building, designed by Mies Van Der Rohe, at 730 North Pulaski Road. In 1986 Orr High School changed its name to Orr Community Academy. A much bigger change occurred between September 2002 and September 2004, however, as Orr was converted into four small high schools. The four were: Phoenix Military Academy; Moses Vines Preparatory Academy; EXCEL (Educating eXceptional Children at Every Level) Future Teachers/Leaders Academy; and the Applied Arts, Science and Technology Academy (AASTA).

AASTA opened in September of 2004, and is still open today, at 730 North Pulaski Road. Its focus is on science, math, food technology, and graphic arts.

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