Middle School to Become Coeducational in 2026-2027 School Year

Albany, New York – Albany Academy announced that its Middle School will transition to a coeducational model beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, aligning with the successful transitions of the Lower and Upper Schools. The board-approved change will be guided by a structured, multi-phase plan that ensures thorough preparation, as well as ongoing engagement and transparency with families, alumni/alumnae, and faculty.

The school has seen a positive response to coeducation at the Lower and Upper School levels, and heads into the 2025-2026 academic year with its first year-over-year enrollment increase since the 2018-2019 academic year. The Lower School has doubled sections in most grade levels, with some grades having waitlists.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for our Middle School and for Albany Academy as a whole. The transition to a coeducational model reflects our commitment to a fully integrated Pre-K–12 experience at Academy, aligning across divisions, and to preparing students for a world where they engage, collaborate, and lead, whoever their peers are. We encourage families and alumni/alumnae to participate in the dialogue and provide feedback to ensure a consistent and positive path forward for current and future students,” said Head of Middle School, Adam Collett.

“The transition to coeducational learning in the Lower School during the 2024–25 academic year has been a positive step for our community, welcomed by students and families alike. It has also contributed to strong enrollment, an encouraging sign as we look ahead. Building on this progress, the move to a coeducational Middle School will continue to strengthen Albany Academy’s foundation for the future,” said Head of School Chris Lauricella.

To ensure the transition reflects the values and strengths of the community, Academy will host a series of forums and provide regular updates to families and alumni/alumnae. Details about the forums and planning timeline will be shared in the coming weeks.