More Than a Summer: What Your Child Carries Home From Academy Summer

Summer is a gift! A chance for your child to step away from the usual rhythms of school and discover who they are when they have time to breathe, explore, and connect with others. It's something many parents think about, but finding the right fit matters.

We call it Academy Summer—not a camp—intentionally. The distinction matters because this is a thoughtfully designed program built on the foundation that children thrive when surrounded by caring mentors who invest in their development. Every aspect of the program, from the moment your child arrives, reflects this commitment to creating an environment where they can flourish.

A Program Built With Intention

That commitment starts with Director of Summer & Auxiliary Programs Kerri Killian, who reimagined Academy Summer around a simple idea: the experience should be just as meaningful for the staff who lead it as it is for the campers who attend. Kerri designed the program not just to keep children engaged and safe, but to surround them with mentors who are themselves being coached, trained, and held to a high standard.

“From the beginning, my vision for Academy Summer was to build a program that reflects Albany Academy and the experience families can expect from our school,” said Kerri Killian, Director of Summer & Auxiliary Programs. “That doesn't happen by chance. It starts long before the first day of the program, with thoughtful planning, hiring the right people, supporting them well, and creating a culture where relationships matter. When you do that consistently, families feel the difference.”

The Power of Intentional Staff Selection

What makes Academy Summer truly special is the people who lead it. The program brings together an intentionally diverse team: 25 Albany Academy faculty and staff members work alongside 18 Albany Academy students and 20 college students, young professionals, and alumni. This isn't random staffing, it's strategic mentorship, shaped by Kerri's vision and reinforced daily by Assistant Director Matthew Essery.

"The mentors on our team genuinely care about helping each child grow. They listen, they show up, and

they create space for real connection." — Matthew Essery, Assistant Director, Academy Summer

Your child benefits from this blend in meaningful ways. Experienced educators create a learning-rich environment where younger staff members are also developing their own leadership and communication skills. This means your child isn't just being supervised; they're being guided by people who genuinely care about their growth and model positive behavior every single day.

Learning Beyond Academics

Friendships matter at this age. So do the inevitable conflicts and challenges that come with them. At Academy Summer, children navigate these social dynamics with guidance from mentors who have been carefully selected and trained to support them. Your child learns resilience, empathy, and problem-solving in real time.

The experience gives Academy Summer children something precious: confidence. They leave with new friendships, cherished memories, and the deep knowledge that they were safe, valued, and supported during their time here.

What happens at Academy Summer stays with your child long after the summer ends: in the friendships they hold onto, in the challenges they're more ready to face, and in the quiet confidence that comes from being truly supported. That's what makes it matter.