History

Rooted in the rich legacies of The Albany Academy, chartered in 1813 as a private school for boys, and Albany Academy for Girls, founded in 1814, today’s coeducational Albany Academy carries forward a shared tradition of excellence, innovation, and character.

From the beginning, The Albany Academy focused on classics, math, and science to prepare the sons of prominent citizens for leadership in a growing city, while Albany Academy for Girls blazed its own pioneering path in women’s education with its focus on math, science, literature, and the arts. Together, these institutions shaped generations of students.

In 2007, a formal realignment brought The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls together under one institutional leadership team as “The Albany Academies,” ensuring that the distinct legacies and strong educational foundations of each school would carry forward in a united future.

In 2013 and 2014, we proudly celebrated 200 years of academic, artistic, and athletic excellence, marking the Bicentennial of both schools and ushering in our third century of innovation and achievement. It was a moment to honor our rich histories, recognize milestones, and express deep gratitude to the students, faculty, families, alumni, alumnae, and supporters who have shaped our journey and continue to propel us forward.

In 2024, the school undertook a significant campus realignment to enhance the educational experience and better serve its students. This initiative involved reorganizing campus spaces to focus on students’ developmental stages while maintaining the school’s commitment to academic excellence. Under the new model, the Albany Academy for Girls building at 140 Academy Road now houses the co-educational Lower School and Middle School, and The Albany Academy building at 135 Academy Road now houses the co-educational Upper School. In addition to this campus shift, the school formally unified its brand as "Albany Academy."