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{{refimprove|date=August 2021}}
{{Redirect|Albany Academy}}
{{Redirect|Albany Academy}}
{{Infobox school
{{Infobox school
| name = The Albany Academy
| name = The Albany Academy
| image = Albany Academy Seal.jpg
| image = Albany Academy Seal.jpg
| established = {{start date and age|1813}}
| established = {{start date and age|1813}}
| type = [[Private school|Private]], [[University-preparatory school|College-prep]], [[Day school|Day]]
| type = [[Private school|Private]], [[University-preparatory school|College-prep]], [[Day school|Day]]
| gender = [[Single-sex education|Boys]]
| gender = [[Single-sex education|Boys]]
| head of school = Christopher J. Lauricella
| head of school = Christopher J. Lauricella
| streetaddress = 135 Academy Road
| streetaddress = 135 Academy Road
| city = [[Albany, New York|Albany]]
| city = [[Albany, New York|Albany]]
| state = [[New York (state)|New York]]
| state = [[New York (state)|New York]]
| zipcode = 12208
| zipcode = 12208
| country = [[United States|USA]]
| country = United States
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
| motto = Honor Integritas Officium
| motto = Honor Integritas Officium
| motto_translation = Honor, Integrity, Service
| motto_translation = Honor, Integrity, Service
| campus_type = [[Suburb]]an
| campus_type = [[Suburb]]an
| campus_size = {{convert|25|acre|m2}}
| campus_size = {{convert|25|acre|m2}}
| ceeb = 330035
| ceeb = 330035
| enrollment = 324 (AAG), 438 (AA)
| enrollment = 315 (AAG), 323 (AA)
762 (Combined Boys & Girls)
638 (Combined Boys & Girls)
| grades = [[Preschool|P]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]]
| grades = [[Preschool|P]]–[[Twelfth grade|12]]
| tuition = $13,500-$23,100
| tuition = $13,500-$23,100
| faculty = 50+ teachers
| faculty = 50+ teachers
| avg_class_size = 16 students
| avg_class_size = 16 students
| ratio = 9:1
| ratio = 9:1
| athletics = 13 interscholastic sports teams
| athletics = 13 interscholastic sports teams
| colors = Red and Black <br />{{color box|#CC0000}}&nbsp;{{color box|black}}
| colors = Red and Black {{color box|#CC0000}}{{color box|black}}
| mascot = Cadets
| mascot = Cadets
| conference = Colonial Council; [[New England Preparatory School Athletic Council|NEPSAC]]
| conference = Colonial Council; [[New England Preparatory School Athletic Council|NEPSAC]]
| affiliation = [[The Albany Academies]]<br />[[New York State Association of Independent Schools|NYSAIS]]
| affiliation = [[The Albany Academies]]<br />[[New York State Association of Independent Schools|NYSAIS]]
| sister_school = [[Albany Academy for Girls]]
| sister_school = [[Albany Academy for Girls]]
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.albanyacademies.org/}}
| homepage = {{URL|http://www.albanyacademies.org/}}
}}
}}
'''The Albany Academy''' is an independent [[college preparatory]] [[day school]] for boys in [[Albany, New York|Albany]], [[New York (state)|New York]], USA, enrolling students from Preschool (age 3) to Grade 12. It was established in 1813 by a charter signed by Mayor [[Philip S. Van Rensselaer|Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer]] and the city council of Albany. In July 2007, the once separate Albany Academy and [[Albany Academy for Girls]] merged into [[The Albany Academies]]. Both schools retain much of their pre-merger tradition and character and each continues to give diplomas under its own name. Tuition ranges from $13,500 for Preschool, up to $23,100 for grade 12.
'''The Albany Academy''' is an independent [[college preparatory]] [[day school]] for boys in [[Albany, New York]]. It enrolls students from Preschool (age 3) to Grade 12. It was established in 1813 by a charter signed by Mayor [[Philip S. Van Rensselaer|Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer]] and the city council of Albany. In July 2007, the once separate Albany Academy and [[Albany Academy for Girls]] merged into [[The Albany Academies]]. Both schools retain much of their pre-merger tradition and character, and each continues to give diplomas under its own name.


==History==
==History==
[[File:Albany Academy 1907.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Old Academy Building, now the [[Joseph Henry Memorial]]]]
The Albany Academy is the oldest boys day school in the New York [[Capital District, New York|Capital Region]], chartered in March 1813 to educate the sons of Albany's political elite and rapidly growing merchant class. In the [[Largest Cities in the United States by Population by Decade#1810|Census]] three years prior, Albany was the tenth-largest city in the United States, and would remain so through the 1850s due to the prominence of the [[Erie Canal]].
[[File:Albany Academy Cupola.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Academy's cupola rises above the main building is topped with a fish and pumpkin.]]
The Albany Academy is the oldest day school for boys in [[New York (state)|New York state]]'s [[Capital District, New York|Capital Region]]. The Academy was chartered in March 1813 to educate the sons of Albany's political elite and rapidly growing merchant class. In the [[Largest Cities in the United States by Population by Decade#1810|Census]] three years prior, Albany was the tenth-largest city in the United States, and would remain so through the 1850s due to the prominence of the [[Erie Canal]].


[[File:Albany Academy 1907.jpg|thumb|left|Old Academy Building, now the [[Joseph Henry Memorial]]]]Classes began within months after the charter was granted, offering a college preparatory track (including intensive study of Ancient Greek, and Latin) and an arithmetic-based track to prepare young men for Albany's role as a center of commerce. Two years later, in 1815, a purpose-built building was completed in present-day Academy Park, adjacent to the [[New York State Capitol]]. The [[Federal architecture|Federal-style]] building, now known as the Old Academy and headquarters of the City School District of Albany, was designed by renowned Albany architect [[Philip Hooker]]. The building is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] for its architectural significance and role as home to scientist [[Joseph Henry|Joseph Henry's]] laboratory.<ref>http://www.nationalhistoricalregister.com/NY/Albany/state.html</ref>
Classes began within months after the charter was granted, offering a college preparatory track (including intensive study of Ancient Greek, and Latin) and an arithmetic-based track to prepare young men for Albany's role as a center of commerce. Two years later, in 1815, a purpose-built building was completed in present-day Academy Park, adjacent to the [[New York State Capitol]]. The [[Federal architecture|Federal-style]] building, now known as the Old Academy and headquarters of the City School District of Albany, was designed by renowned Albany architect [[Philip Hooker]]. The building is listed in the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/71000515|title=NPGallery Asset Detail|website=npgallery.nps.gov}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Waite |first=Diana S. |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Joseph Henry Memorial (Albany Academy) |url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=449|date=January 1970|access-date=2011-07-31 |publisher=New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation}}</ref>
[[File:Albany Academy.jpg|thumb|Current Academy Building|alt=An ornate three-story brick building with a pedimented front section and tall gray cupola]]


In 1870, in response to a lack of military preparation institutions in the north during the [[American Civil War]], the Albany Academy adopted the [[Battalion]] Leadership Program, instructing the "cadets" in military procedure and the art of leadership. In 2005 the school ended compulsory involvement in the program in favor of a House-based leadership program commonly found in English [[Preparatory school (UK)|preparatory schools]]. The four houses, named for prominent historical Academy figures ([[Theodric Romeyn Beck|Beck]], [[Merrill Edwards Gates|Gates]], [[Joseph Henry|Henry]], and [[Frederic P. Olcott|Olcott]]), compete against one another in the fields of academics, athletics, [[community service]], and [[extracurricular]] involvement for honor and special privileges awarded to the leading house.
In 1870, in response to a lack of military preparation institutions in the north during the [[American Civil War]], the Albany Academy adopted the [[Battalion]] Leadership Program, instructing the "cadets" in military procedure and the art of leadership. In 2005, the school ended compulsory involvement in the program in favor of a House-based leadership program commonly found in English [[Preparatory school (UK)|preparatory schools]].


[[File:Albany Academy Cupola.jpg|thumb|left|The Academy's cupola rises above the main building and is topped with a fish and pumpkin.]]In 1931, the school moved from its original downtown building in present-day Academy Park to its current location on the corner of [[William Stormont Hackett|Hackett]] Boulevard and Academy Road, in the University Heights section of Albany. Designed by Marcus T. Reynolds in the [[Georgian architecture|neo-Georgian style]], the building incorporates many elements of the Old Academy building, namely the main entryway and cupola. The school stands approximately two miles from the city center, allowing students access to the resources of the [[State University of New York at Albany]], [[Russell Sage College]], [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]], the [[New York State Capitol|state capitol]], and the [[New York State Museum|state museum]] and [[New York State Library|library]]. The red-brick Academy building's marble cornerstone was laid by the then governor and future [[President of the United States|president]] [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]. All grades enrolled in The Albany Academy are housed under the same roof, a point of pride for the Academy Community.
In 1931, the school moved from its original downtown building in present-day Academy Park to its current location on the corner of [[William Stormont Hackett|Hackett]] Boulevard and Academy Road, in the University Heights section of Albany. Designed by Marcus T. Reynolds in the [[Georgian architecture|neo-Georgian style]], the building incorporates many elements of the Old Academy building, namely the main entryway and cupola. The school stands approximately two miles from the city center. The red-brick Academy building's marble cornerstone was laid by the then-governor of New York and future [[President of the United States|president]] [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].


In 2005, The Albany Academy ended its long standing Army [[JROTC]] program. This decision came due to declining enrollment among other factors. Certain military aspects are still available to students, but are all "electives."
In 2005, The Albany Academy ended its longstanding Army [[JROTC]] program.


In July 2007, the board of trustees announced that the decision had been made that The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls would merge into The Albany Academies. Enrollment at The Albany Academy had dropped from 479 students in the 2000–2001 school year, to a low of 340 students in 2005. [[Single-sex education|Single-gender]] education continues under the present form in Lower and Middle Schools, while Upper School students may continue to cross-register for coed classes and certain extracurricular activities.
In July 2007, the board of trustees announced that The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls would merge into The Albany Academies.

On July 1, 2009, the board of trustees announced the appointment of [[Douglas M. North]] AA'58, president of [[Alaska Pacific University]], to the position of head of school of [[The Albany Academies]], effective July 2010.<ref>http://www.albanyacademies.org/news/news_full.cfm?ID=223{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref>

==Facilities==
[[File:Albany Academy.jpg|thumb|Current Academy Building|alt=An ornate three-story brick building with a pedimented front section and tall gray cupola]]
The main academic building houses 40 classrooms, two [[libraries]], [[Mac OS|Mac]] and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] computer labs, the [[cafeteria]] (called the Buttery), the school book store, the [[auditorium]] (known as Caird Chapel), the Wellness Center, the Black Box Theater, a [[darkroom]], the [[Joseph Henry]] Science Wing, student and faculty lounges, board rooms, art and music studios, the school's archives, and various administrative offices. The school's athletic facilities include 11 team locker-rooms, 1 soccer/lacrosse field, 1 [[baseball field|baseball diamond]], 1 football field, the 400-meter Robison Track, the Robison Hockey Arena (formerly home to the Albany Cougars, a special needs hockey team who now play at the Albany County Hockey Facility), 6 outdoor [[tennis courts]], the 6-lane, {{convert|25|yd|adj=on}} Standish Pool, the Rea Fitness Center, 2 indoor gymnasiums, 2 squash courts, conference rooms, long- and high-jump pits, a discus court, and a shot-put court. Other on-campus facilities include Leonard House, the head of school's residence.

==Student body==
Drawn predominately from a six-county area and from within a radius of {{convert|65|mi|km}}, the student body is ethnically, religiously, and economically diverse. The total 2019-2020 school population is 438 boys, including 86 in the Lower School, 100 in the [[Middle School]], and 252 in the Upper School. There is a total of six countries represented in the school. Students are encouraged to actively participate in all aspects of school life; they are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and treat each other and their teachers with respect. Students are responsible for upholding school rules. The Albany Academy adheres to a school-wide honor code. Student Council members, especially seniors, occupy important leadership positions at Albany Academy. Its Leadership Development Program prepares students to hold leadership positions at school and beyond by providing formal classes on [[leadership]], advising/student mentoring, community service, and involvement in co-curricular programs—all within the structure of a British-modeled [[House System]].


==Accreditation and memberships==
==Accreditation and memberships==
The Albany Academies are accredited by the [[New York State Association of Independent Schools]] and recognized by the [[Regents of the State of New York]].
The Albany Academies are accredited by the [[New York State Association of Independent Schools]] and recognized by the Regents of the State of New York.

The Albany Academies are a member of the following associations: the [[College Board]], the [[Cum Laude Society]], the [[National Association of Independent Schools]], the [[Educational Records Bureau]], the [[Capital Region Independent Schools Association]], the [[Association of Boys' Schools]], the [[Secondary Schools Admission Test Board]], and the [[New England Prep School Athletic Association]].


==Alumni==
==Alumni==
Noted alumni include nine [[U.S. Representative|U.S. Congressmen]], five [[Professional sports|Professional Athletes]], three [[Chancellor (education)|College Presidents]], two [[poet laureate|Poets Laureate]], one [[U.S. Supreme Court Justice]], and one [[Medal of Honor]] recipient, noted journalists:

===Government, law, business, and public policy===
===Government, law, business, and public policy===
[[File:LearnedHand1910a.jpg|thumb|right|[[Learned Hand]], Class of 1889]]
[[File:LearnedHand1910a.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Learned Hand]], Class of 1889]]
*[[William Barnes Jr.]], chairman of the [[New York Republican State Committee]] and member of the [[Republican National Committee]]
*[[William Barnes Jr.]], chairman of the [[New York Republican State Committee]] and member of the [[Republican National Committee]]
*[[T. Garry Buckley]], [[List of lieutenant governors of Vermont|72nd Lieutenant Governor of Vermont]].
*[[T. Garry Buckley]], [[List of lieutenant governors of Vermont|72nd Lieutenant Governor of Vermont]].
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*[[Andrew Sloan Draper]], jurist, author, and president of the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]]
*[[Andrew Sloan Draper]], jurist, author, and president of the [[University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign|University of Illinois]]
*[[William Durden]], president of [[Dickinson College]]
*[[William Durden]], president of [[Dickinson College]]
*[[Julian Gibbs]], president of [[Amherst College]]
*[[Henry Hun]], [[physician]] and professor of [[nervous diseases]] at the [[Albany Medical College]]
*[[Henry Hun]], [[physician]] and professor of [[nervous diseases]] at the [[Albany Medical College]]
*[[Jesse Montgomery Mosher]], [[physician]] credited with establishing the first [[psychiatric ward]] within the organization of a [[Hospital|general hospital]]
*[[Jesse Montgomery Mosher]], [[physician]] credited with establishing the first [[psychiatric ward]] within the organization of a [[Hospital|general hospital]]
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*[[Howard Townsend]], physician and medical professor
*[[Howard Townsend]], physician and medical professor
*[[William Bell Wait]], teacher in the [[New York Institute for the Education of the Blind]] who invented [[New York Point]], a writing for the blind before [[Braille]]
*[[William Bell Wait]], teacher in the [[New York Institute for the Education of the Blind]] who invented [[New York Point]], a writing for the blind before [[Braille]]
*[[Julian Gibbs]], president of [[Amherst College]]


===Literature and journalism===
===Literature and journalism===
[[File:Andy Rooney (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Andy Rooney]], Class of 1937]]
[[File:Andy Rooney (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Andy Rooney]], Class of 1937]]
*[[Luke Rhinehart]] (George Powers Cockcroft), author of [[The Dice Man]]

* [[Luke Rhinehart]] (George Powers Cockcroft), author of [[The Dice Man]]
*[[Gordon Ackerman]], journalist, writer, and photographer
*[[Gordon Ackerman]], journalist, writer, and photographer
*[[Stephen Vincent Benét]], poet laureate, two-time winner of the [[Pulitzer Prize]] (1929, 1944)
*[[Stephen Vincent Benét]], poet laureate, two-time winner of the [[Pulitzer Prize]] (1929, 1944)
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*[[Ashton Holmes]], film and television actor best known for the role of Jack Stall in ''[[A History of Violence (film)|A History of Violence]]''
*[[Ashton Holmes]], film and television actor best known for the role of Jack Stall in ''[[A History of Violence (film)|A History of Violence]]''
*[[David Holloway (American football)|David Holloway]], [[American football]] [[linebacker]] formerly of the [[Arizona Cardinals]]
*[[David Holloway (American football)|David Holloway]], [[American football]] [[linebacker]] formerly of the [[Arizona Cardinals]]
*[[Andre Jackson Jr.]], professional basketball player for the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
*[[Michael Patrick Jann]], director of the film [[Drop Dead Gorgeous (film)|''Drop Dead Gorgeous'']] and actor on [[MTV's The State]]
*[[Michael Patrick Jann]], director of the film [[Drop Dead Gorgeous (film)|''Drop Dead Gorgeous'']] and actor on [[MTV's The State]]
*[[Kevin Leveille]], professional lacrosse player for the [[Rochester Rattlers|Chicago Machine]] and the [[Chicago Shamrox]]
*[[Kevin Leveille]], professional lacrosse player for the [[Rochester Rattlers|Chicago Machine]] and the [[Chicago Shamrox]]
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*[[Merrick Thomson]], professional lacrosse player for the [[Toronto Nationals (lacrosse)|Toronto Nationals]] and the [[Philadelphia Wings (1987–2014)|Philadelphia Wings]]
*[[Merrick Thomson]], professional lacrosse player for the [[Toronto Nationals (lacrosse)|Toronto Nationals]] and the [[Philadelphia Wings (1987–2014)|Philadelphia Wings]]
*[[Steve Wulf]], executive editor at ''[[ESPN The Magazine]]''
*[[Steve Wulf]], executive editor at ''[[ESPN The Magazine]]''
*[[John Wyman (magician)|John Wyman]], magician and ventriloquist


===Military===
===Military===
[[File:Ted Cane France.jpg|thumb|right|[[Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.]], Class of 1905]]
[[File:Ted Cane France.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Theodore Roosevelt Jr.]], Class of 1905]]
*[[Jacob Downing]], [[Union Army]] officer during the [[American Civil War]], early developer of the city of [[Denver]].
*[[Jacob Downing]], [[Union Army]] officer during the [[American Civil War]], early developer of the city of [[Denver]].
*[[Theodore Roosevelt Jr.]], [[U.S. Army]] [[brigadier general]] and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
*[[Theodore Roosevelt Jr.]], [[U.S. Army]] [[brigadier general]] and [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
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*[[Frederick Townsend]], Union officer in the [[American Civil War]], Adjutant General of the State of New York
*[[Frederick Townsend]], Union officer in the [[American Civil War]], Adjutant General of the State of New York
*[[Robert Townsend (captain)|Robert Townsend]], Civil War-era U.S. Navy captain commanding the ironclad {{USS|Essex|1856|6}}
*[[Robert Townsend (captain)|Robert Townsend]], Civil War-era U.S. Navy captain commanding the ironclad {{USS|Essex|1856|6}}
*[[Egbert Ludoricus Viele]], [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] in the [[Union Army]], military governor of [[Norfolk, Virginia]]; [[U.S. Representative]] from [[NYCongDel|New York]]
*[[Egbert Ludoricus Viele]], [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in the [[Union Army]], military governor of [[Norfolk, Virginia]]; [[U.S. Representative]] from [[NYCongDel|New York]]


===Theology===
===Theology===
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==Faculty/administration==
==Faculty/administration==
Noted former faculty and administration include inventors, politicians, and seven [[Chancellor (education)|College Presidents]], including four presidents of [[Amherst College]]:
Noted former faculty and administration include inventors, politicians, and seven [[Chancellor (education)|college presidents]], including four presidents of [[Amherst College]]:
[[File:Merrill Edwards Gates.jpg|thumb|right|Headmaster [[Merrill Edward Gates]]]]
[[File:Merrill Edwards Gates.jpg|thumb|right|Headmaster [[Merrill Edward Gates]]]]
*[[George W. Atherton]], president of the [[Pennsylvania State University]]
*[[George W. Atherton]], president of the [[Pennsylvania State University]]
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
*[[NRHP]] nomination for the original Albany Academy building: {{cite web |last=Waite |first=Diana S. |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Joseph Henry Memorial (Albany Academy) |url=http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=449|date=January 1970|access-date=2011-07-31 |publisher=[[New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation]]}} ''See also:'' [http://www.oprhp.state.ny.us/hpimaging/hp_view.asp?GroupView=447 Accompanying one exterior photo from 1962]
*[http://www.albanyacademies.org/ The Albany Academies]
*[http://www.albanyacademies.org/ The Albany Academies]
*[http://www.petersons.com/PSchools/code/IDD.asp?orderLineNum=598197-1&inunId=56&typeVC=instvc&sponsor=1 Petersons.com School Profile]


{{Portal bar|Architecture|New York (state)|Schools}}
{{Portal bar|Architecture|New York (state)|Schools}}
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[[Category:Education in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Education in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1813]]
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1813]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Preparatory schools in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Preparatory schools in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Private elementary schools in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Private elementary schools in New York (state)]]
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[[Category:Private middle schools in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Private middle schools in New York (state)]]
[[Category:School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)]]
[[Category:School buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in New York (state)]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:Organizations based in Albany, New York]]
[[Category:The Albany Academy alumni|*]]
[[Category:The Albany Academy alumni]]

Latest revision as of 04:22, 11 December 2023

The Albany Academy
Address
135 Academy Road

,
12208

United States
Information
TypePrivate, College-prep, Day
MottoHonor Integritas Officium
(Honor, Integrity, Service)
Established1813; 211 years ago (1813)
Sister schoolAlbany Academy for Girls
CEEB code330035
Head of schoolChristopher J. Lauricella
Faculty50+ teachers
GradesP12
GenderBoys
Enrollment315 (AAG), 323 (AA) 638 (Combined Boys & Girls)
Average class size16 students
Student to teacher ratio9:1
Campus size25 acres (100,000 m2)
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Red and Black   
Athletics13 interscholastic sports teams
Athletics conferenceColonial Council; NEPSAC
MascotCadets
Tuition$13,500-$23,100
AffiliationThe Albany Academies
NYSAIS
Websitewww.albanyacademies.org

The Albany Academy is an independent college preparatory day school for boys in Albany, New York. It enrolls students from Preschool (age 3) to Grade 12. It was established in 1813 by a charter signed by Mayor Philip Schuyler Van Rensselaer and the city council of Albany. In July 2007, the once separate Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls merged into The Albany Academies. Both schools retain much of their pre-merger tradition and character, and each continues to give diplomas under its own name.

History[edit]

The Old Academy Building, now the Joseph Henry Memorial
The Academy's cupola rises above the main building is topped with a fish and pumpkin.

The Albany Academy is the oldest day school for boys in New York state's Capital Region. The Academy was chartered in March 1813 to educate the sons of Albany's political elite and rapidly growing merchant class. In the Census three years prior, Albany was the tenth-largest city in the United States, and would remain so through the 1850s due to the prominence of the Erie Canal.

Classes began within months after the charter was granted, offering a college preparatory track (including intensive study of Ancient Greek, and Latin) and an arithmetic-based track to prepare young men for Albany's role as a center of commerce. Two years later, in 1815, a purpose-built building was completed in present-day Academy Park, adjacent to the New York State Capitol. The Federal-style building, now known as the Old Academy and headquarters of the City School District of Albany, was designed by renowned Albany architect Philip Hooker. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[1][2]

An ornate three-story brick building with a pedimented front section and tall gray cupola
Current Academy Building

In 1870, in response to a lack of military preparation institutions in the north during the American Civil War, the Albany Academy adopted the Battalion Leadership Program, instructing the "cadets" in military procedure and the art of leadership. In 2005, the school ended compulsory involvement in the program in favor of a House-based leadership program commonly found in English preparatory schools.

In 1931, the school moved from its original downtown building in present-day Academy Park to its current location on the corner of Hackett Boulevard and Academy Road, in the University Heights section of Albany. Designed by Marcus T. Reynolds in the neo-Georgian style, the building incorporates many elements of the Old Academy building, namely the main entryway and cupola. The school stands approximately two miles from the city center. The red-brick Academy building's marble cornerstone was laid by the then-governor of New York and future president Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In 2005, The Albany Academy ended its longstanding Army JROTC program.

In July 2007, the board of trustees announced that The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls would merge into The Albany Academies.

Accreditation and memberships[edit]

The Albany Academies are accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and recognized by the Regents of the State of New York.

Alumni[edit]

Government, law, business, and public policy[edit]

Learned Hand, Class of 1889

Medicine and academia[edit]

Literature and journalism[edit]

Andy Rooney, Class of 1937

Science and technology[edit]

Arts, sports, and entertainment[edit]

Military[edit]

Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Class of 1905

Theology[edit]

Faculty/administration[edit]

Noted former faculty and administration include inventors, politicians, and seven college presidents, including four presidents of Amherst College:

Headmaster Merrill Edward Gates

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NPGallery Asset Detail". npgallery.nps.gov.
  2. ^ Waite, Diana S. (January 1970). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Joseph Henry Memorial (Albany Academy)". New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved 2011-07-31.

External links[edit]