Albany Academy Announces Next Head of School

Michael G. Turner will begin his tenure on July 1, 2026.
 

Albany, New York – Albany Academy is delighted to announce that Michael G. Turner has been selected as Academy’s next Head of School. This decision results from a comprehensive national search, conducted in partnership with search firm Isaacson, Miller, and led by a committee tasked with identifying the right leader for Albany Academy’s next chapter. 

Turner will succeed Head of School Chris Lauricella P’20, ’22, who, after seven years of leadership, announced in December 2024 that he would step down following the 2025-2026 academic year.

“It is a great honor to join this one-of-a-kind community located within the Capital Region. Albany Academy stands at a defining moment: shaped by proud histories becoming one, guided by a compelling mission, and strengthened by a loyal community eager to move forward with purpose. As someone who has spent most of his life in independent schools and dedicated his career to serving them, I am energized by the opportunities that lie ahead,” said Michael G. Turner, Albany Academy’s Incoming Head of School.

Turner comes to Academy most recently from The Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania (2019-2024) and St. Michael’s Episcopal School in Richmond, Virginia (2014-2019), where he served as Head of School. In those capacities, he spearheaded major strategic initiatives, strengthened governance, secured financial stability, and ensured programmatic excellence. Following his tenure as head of school at Shipley, he served there as a Senior Advisor supporting the institution’s transition and strategic initiatives. He is also the founder and president of MT Partners, an educational consulting firm.

“Mr. Turner is an accomplished and visionary leader with over three decades of experience in education and the private and government sectors. He has spent much of his career serving and leading independent schools, with a wide range of experience — each role reinforcing his dedication to helping students reach their highest potential. We are very excited by the experience and skill set that Michael brings to our community, and we look forward to the great things Michael will do on behalf of Albany Academy as its next Head of School,” said Eric Lewis, Albany Academy Board of Trustees President.

“Identifying Albany Academy's next leader was a comprehensive process that included our entire community. The thoughtful engagement and insights from students, families, alumnae/i, faculty, and staff throughout the search validated the Committee's conviction that Mr. Turner is uniquely positioned to advance our storied tradition of excellence and chart an inspired path forward for the Academy, said Neerav Patel, Albany Academy Board of Trustees Vice Chair and Head of School Search Chair.

Mr. Turner graduated cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania with a dual-major B.A. At Penn he captained the two-time undefeated Ivy League champion football team and earned Academic All-Ivy and First Team All-Ivy honors. He also played varsity baseball, was a member of the Sphinx Senior Honor Society, and earned various senior awards selected by both classmates and faculty. He later earned an M.Ed. from Arcadia University and is an Ed.D. candidate at The College of William & Mary.

Please click here for a message from Mr. Turner.
 

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Kayla Germain, Director of Marketing & Communications

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