Academy Magazine | Spring 2026

MAGAZINE

SPRI NG 2026

I N THI S I SSU E :

Christopher Lauricella Architect of Albany Academy transformation, reflects on his tenure

Athletics: Raising the Game

Reunion 2025

Our Next Head of School

CONTENTS 3 Talking Head

Christopher J. Lauricella

6 Lower, Middle, and Upper School Highlights

14 Academy Fund

15 Board President Letter 2

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FEATURE STORY:

Christopher Lauricella, architect of Albany Academy transformation, reflects on his tenure.

Our Next Head of School

22 Athletics Story

20 Arts Story

The Arts at Albany Academy: A Legacy in the Making

Raising the Game

Michael G. Turner prepares to lead Albany Academy into its next chapter

30 Innovation Center Appeal

24 The Class of 2025

A Celebration of Achievement, Character, and Community

26 Reunion 2025

Connection and Celebration

33 Alumnae & Alumni Spotlights

TALKING HEAD FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Christopher J. Lauricella Dear Friends, As I write this letter, my eighth and final year as Head of School at Albany Academy is drawing to a close. It’s a moment that invites reflection and inspires a deep sense of gratitude.

For the past eight years, it has been my great privilege to work alongside an extraordinary group of faculty, staff, trustees, parents, alumnae, and alumni who care deeply about Albany Academy and the students in its care.

One of the defining challenges of our work together came early in 2020, when COVID-19 reshaped schools worldwide. That moment of uncertainty revealed the character of this community, as we all worked tirelessly to keep the school operating safely and effectively. Faculty adapted their teaching with creativity and dedication.

Students showed resilience and determination. Families demonstrated patience and trust.

Successfully navigating the pandemic was a powerful reminder that our strength lies in our people, and it set the stage for the important work of reshaping The Albany Academies into a more unified Albany Academy.

The Albany Academies was formed in 2007 through the merger of The Albany Academy and Albany Academy for Girls. In the years that followed, there was an earnest effort to preserve the distinct identities, traditions, and cultural strengths of the two historic schools. This approach honored the legacies that had shaped each institution and provided important continuity for students, families, and alumni.

Over time, however, our community increasingly looked to the future while celebrating our proud history, recognizing the opportunity to create a more fully integrated experience for our students.

In recent years, we have worked intentionally to bring that vision to life by evolving from two single-sex institutions into a fully coeducational school, strengthening collaboration across divisions, and aligning our programs and operations. Nearly two decades after our merger, Albany Academy has emerged as a cohesive institution with a single, shared identity. In doing so, we have honored the traditions that shaped us while embracing the clarity and unity that position the school well for the opportunities ahead.

None of this progress would have been possible without the dedication of this community. I am deeply grateful to our faculty and staff for their care and professionalism, to our Board of Trustees for their stewardship, and to our parents and alumnae/i community for their partnership and support.

On July 1, 2026, Michael Turner will assume the role of Head of School. I have been working closely with Michael during this leadership transition and am confident that he will build upon our strong foundation and continue to advance our school as the first and finest independent school in the Capital Region.

Serving this school and this community has been one of the great honors of my professional life. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me and for the many ways you continue to support Albany Academy and the students who call it home.

Go Academy!

Christopher J. Lauricella P’20, ’22 Head of School ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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Belonging F RO M

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Pinning and House Ceremony Welcomes Every Lower Schooler in the Albany Academy Community On an early fall morning at 140 Academy Road, one of Albany Academy’s most meaningful traditions quietly unfolds.

Lower School students and their teachers gather in the auditorium, anticipation in the air, as new students wait to receive their pins or house assignments. Small gestures, perhaps, but ones rooted in generations of history and purpose.

As each student receives a pin or a house shirt, a moment of belonging is made real. From that day forward, every child becomes part of the Albany Academy community, which is a legacy more than 200 years in the making.

There is a quiet pride in seeing a young student step forward, a small hand reaching out to accept something that represents far more than it appears.

For students, the pin or house shirt may feel like a simple welcome at first. Over time, it becomes a reminder of friendships formed, confidence gained, and a place where they are known and supported.

It is, in many ways, the first chapter in an Albany Academy story shaped by tradition and carried forward by each new generation.

“Continuing to honor traditions at Albany Academy—such as the pinning and house shirt ceremonies—is essential to preserving the strong sense of community and shared identity that defines our school.”

Suzanne Gardner-Clarkson, Head of Lower School Pictured left; Arshan E. ’30 assists Mrs. Suzanne Garnder-Clarkson with handing out House shirts to new Lower School boys.

Pictured right; Lower School students beam with pride as they take the stage to receive their pins or house shirts, a moment that beautifully captures Academy’s spirit of community and cross-divisional interaction.

ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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Middle School

Change PR EPA R ES FO R

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Grades 5-8 to Become Coeducational in 2026-2027 School Year In fall 2026, Albany Academy’s Middle School will open its doors as a fully coeducational program, marking a pivotal moment in the school’s long history.

For students and families, the shift reflects a forward-looking approach to education, one designed to prepare young people for a world that values collaboration, perspective, and connection.

It also follows a successful transition completed in the Lower School during the 2024-2025 school year.

coeducational Middle School will continue to strengthen Albany Academy’s foundation for the future.”

Following the September 2025 announcement, school leadership, in partnership with faculty and current families, has been carefully mapping out what the Middle School transition will look like, with every step guided by one essential question: how can Albany Academy best serve students?

“Change at this level does not happen overnight,” Adam Collett P’32, Head of Middle “The transition to coeducational School, shared. “We study, learning in the Lower listen, and plan with care.”

School during the 20242025 academic year has Planning has included the been a positive step for development of faculty task our community, welcomed forces that meet monthly, in by students and families addition to family forums, alike. It has also contributed where families have been to strong enrollment, an able to ask questions, express encouraging sign as we look concerns, and learn about ahead,” said Head of School which traditions will remain Chris Lauricella. “Building on the same. this progress, the move to a

“When a school has more than 200 years of history, you learn that honoring the past doesn’t mean standing still. It means carrying forward what matters most, while building something even stronger for the students who are here today.”

“When a school has more than 200 years of history, you learn that honoring the past doesn’t mean standing still. It means carrying forward what matters most, while building something even stronger for the students who are here today.”

With strong enrollment and growing interest from families, the school’s leadership is confident the shift is already strengthening the Middle School community.

“This is about honoring our history and preparing for the future,” Lauricella said. “And it is exciting to watch that future take shape.”

Prepared, excited, and ready.

Faculty and students have been building toward this moment as we open our doors to a coeducational experience for every grade.

ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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A PURP OSEFU L

Path to

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Individualized College Counseling Keeps Albany Academy’s College Preparatory Mission at the Center Every student deserves to find the college that fits them best and allows them to truly thrive.

This promise is woven into the daily life of Albany Academy’s Upper School and supported by a college counseling program designed around one central purpose: helping students discover not just where they can go, but where they should go.

The work begins long before applications are submitted.

Through conversations that unfold over months and years, students explore their interests, consider possible fields of study, and reflect on the experiences that have shaped them during their time at the Academy.

Leading that process are College Counselors Jak Bestle, Jen Poole P’35, ’38, and Amy McDonald P’19, ’20, who work closely with students and families to guide them through each step of the college search. With a 36-to1 student-to-counselor ratio, the team provides thoughtful, individualized support, helping every student feel known throughout the process.

For the Class of 2026, that commitment has meant more than 500 hours of one-on-one counseling sessions, where students have discussed everything from academic

interests and potential majors to essays, interviews, and building balanced college lists.

Among those students is Angelina Huynh ’26, who was accepted to Brown University, one of the nation’s most selective institutions. Her acceptance reflects not only years of academic dedication but also the thoughtful guidance that helps students identify colleges aligned with their interests and aspirations.

“The college counseling program prepared me very well for applying to all my colleges. Mrs. Poole and the college counseling team offered me so much support during a very stressful time, and they were always willing to set time aside to help me with my applications, essays, and decisions.”

Angelina Huynh ’26

Along the way, the wide range of academic interests emerging from the class has become clear.

Members of the Class of 2026 plan to pursue majors spanning business, international relations, film, STEM disciplines, music therapy, and many fields in between. The variety reflects the intellectual curiosity encouraged across the Academy’s classrooms, studios, laboratories, and performance spaces.

For more than two centuries, Albany Academy has been a college preparatory school in the fullest sense of the word.

Today’s students benefit from that same tradition of careful guidance, meaningful relationships, and high expectations as they pursue their college ambitions.

Angelina Huynh ’26 meets with Mrs. Poole P’35, ’38 — the kind of individualized college counseling that has long defined the Albany Academy Upper School experience.

ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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The classrooms.

The labs.

The studios.

The fields.

These experiences do not happen by accident.

They happen because members of the Albany Academy community choose to support the Academy Fund each year.

Your participation strengthens the programs, the faculty, and opportunities that define the Academy experience for every student.

Make your gift today.

ALBANYACADEMY.ORG/GIVE

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FROM THE BOARD BOARD OF TRUSTEE PRESIDENT

Dr. Eric Lewis ’83, P’17 It has been one of the great privileges of my professional and personal life to serve as President of the Board of Trustees during this period of exceptional leadership under Head of School Chris Lauricella. As I reflect on the past eight years, I am filled with deep gratitude for Chris’s partnership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the mission of Albany Academy.

Chris brought to the role a rare combination of clarity, discipline, and vision. From the outset, he demonstrated an ability to understand the strengths of the institution, and to identify the opportunities that would define its future. His leadership has been characterized by thoughtful strategies, careful execution, and genuine respect for the traditions that make Albany Academy distinctive.

Among his many accomplishments, Chris’s work on campus realignment stands out as both transformative and enduring. In close collaboration with the Board, and with input from faculty, families, and alumnae/i, he led a comprehensive effort to ensure that our physical spaces align with our educational ambitions. This was not simply a facilities initiative. It was a strategic rethinking of how our campus can best support student experiences, foster community, and position Albany Academy for the decades ahead. The result is a more cohesive, purposeful environment that reflects both who we are and where we are going.

Equally significant has been Chris’s leadership in advancing Albany Academy’s institutional identity and branding. At a time when independent schools face increasing competition and complexity, he recognized the importance of clearly articulating what sets Academy apart. Through a disciplined and inclusive process, Chris helped refine and elevate Albany Academy’s brand, ensuring that it resonates authentically with current families, while also inspiring prospective students and the broader community. This work has strengthened both how we present ourselves externally, and how we understand ourselves internally.

Throughout his tenure, Chris has been an extraordinary partner to the Board of Trustees. He has approached our shared governance with transparency, rigor, and a collaborative spirit that has elevated our work. He understands that the relationship between the Board and the Head of School is foundational to institutional success, and has consistently fostered a culture of trust, open dialogue, and shared purpose. In moments of both opportunity and challenge, his judgment has been steady, his communication clear, and his focus unwavering.

What I have appreciated most is Chris’s deep and genuine care for the Academy community. He has taken the time to listen to students, faculty, parents, and alumni to ensure that their perspectives inform the school’s direction. His manifest value of the people who make up this community will continue to have a lasting impression.

Leadership transitions are always moments of reflection, and they offer an opportunity to recognize the impact of those who have served with distinction. Chris Lauricella leaves the Academy stronger, more focused, and better positioned for the future than it was on his arrival. That achievement is a testament to his skill, his character, and his dedication.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, and on a personal note, I extend my deepest thanks to Chris for his partnership and his leadership. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work alongside him. I am confident that the foundation he has helped to build will serve Albany Academy for many years to come.

Dr. Eric Lewis ’83, P’17 President, Board of Trustees ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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Lauricella CHRISTOPHER

ARCHITECT OF ALBANY ACADEMY TRANSFORMATION REFLECTS ON HIS TENURE

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s Albany Academy has transitioned to a single school, all three of Cara Mildé’s children have lived it. Her daughter started at Albany Academy for Girls; her son at The Albany Academy. Both now attend the fully coeducational Upper School. The youngest, a sixth grader, is currently in all-girls’ classes — until September, when the Middle School becomes coeducational, and the transition to a pre-kindergarten through postgraduate coeducational school is complete.

This gradual process will be completed this fall, with the Lower and Middle Schools based at 140 Academy Road, the former Albany Academy for Girls building, and the Upper School just across the street, at what was The Albany Academy. Already, administrators oversee school divisions rather than separate gender boys’ and girls’ programs.

“They’re thriving, they’re resilient, and I’ve spoken to many parents who were resistant to the change who are now thrilled with the way it’s going,” said Mildé, a Saratoga Springs resident who serves on the Board of Trustees. “But I understand it. Change is hard, and many didn’t want to see any more change.”

Academic advising will remain single-sex, along with some student lounges. But a combined student body has allowed clubs and activities to expand. Already, enrollment has risen to more than 660 students – up 30 from 2024. Just as notable, attrition has dropped, remaining well below the national average.

She also knows that, given the drop in the K-12 population, Albany Academy’s future depends on change. She and others appreciate Head of School Christopher Lauricella’s concern for the school’s longevity – and following through with the steps needed to secure it.

Getting there required bold and often painful steps. But Lauricella remains confident the school will emerge stronger.

Now, Lauricella, 58, is stepping down after eight years, following the 2026 spring semester.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and built together,” he said in an interview in his office, an airy room filled with photos and mementos reflecting the school’s long history. “Someone else is going to continue the improvements, provide stability, and help the school heal.”

In late October, the Board of Trustees announced that Michael G. Turner, an experienced independent school leader, will become head of school starting in July.

During his tenure, Lauricella has raised much of the funding needed to complete the James E. Poole Athletic Center, adding 33,000 square feet of essential practice space. He also worked with the Class of 1970 to design and fund an outdoor pavilion used as a classroom and event venue. Most recently, he oversaw renovation of the Middle and Lower School lobby, along with additional updates to welcome girls to the newly coeducational program. Before his departure, he hopes to complete fundraising for a college-level technology and engineering lab planned for an unused Upper School gym (see story p. 30).

shutdowns and the complete merger of two proudly single-sex schools.

“I fully expect that in 10 years I’ll come back and this place will be thriving,” he said.

“We turned a corner. Last year was one of the most gratifying years I’ve had here.”

The challenges thrown his way have made the job “interesting,” he understated.

On the tough end were a pandemic, teacher layoffs, backlash against a new administrative structure, and the difficult decision to become coeducational.

Lauricella fully understands why the news was not welcome.

The Albany Academies were sibling schools that developed unique cultures dating back to their founding in 1813 and 1814, respectively.

To elevate interscholastic competition, he is helping guide Academy’s shift to a prep-school league model. Lauricella also helped develop a scholarship with the Touhey Foundation, enabling students who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to enroll. He also created the Gifford Innovation Awards — five annual $10,000 faculty grants that support faculty piloting innovative curricular or program enhancements.

But Lauricella will inevitably be remembered for guiding Albany Academy through two all-encompassing challenges: the COVID

Mr. Lauricella with members of the 2024-2025 Student Government.

ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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Like private schools nationwide, Albany Academy faced an enrollment decline intensified by the pandemic. Trend data, he said, also suggested that single-sex education in a coordinate school construct was no longer the draw it once had been.

The board and administrative leaders moved to complete the merger into a unified, coeducational institution after conducting an outside economic analysis and considering various other alternatives. Though he expected criticism, Lauricella admits he was surprised by the level and personal nature of the rancor during what became his hardest years as an educator. As the face of the school, however, taking the heat was part of his job.

In his final year, he drew praise for favoring facts over emotion, at a time when emotions ran high.

“Chris was the right person at the right time for this school,” said Neerav Patel ’96, P’31, who served on the search committee that recommended Lauricella. “He executed difficult yet essential decisions in response to prevailing market conditions. His unwavering commitment to navigating the organization through this transformational period merits considerable recognition.”

Lauricella helped push a transformation, rather than let future administrators face the consequences of unresolved challenges.

He did it as his children, Josephine ’20, and Tristan ’22, attended the school he headed. (Josephine recently graduated from Mount Holyoke, while Tristan attends Hobart and William Smith College.)

Their experiences reinforced the view that the two single-sex schools had come to divide, rather than strengthen, the community.

“The separate schools had two very distinct cultures that were siloed and competing with each other, sometimes in unhealthy ways,” he said. “It was nobody’s fault. It’s just the way it developed.”

Being an Academy parent also reinforced the excellence of the faculty, coaches, and staff who delivered a top-tier education and fully devoted themselves to the school’s mission. Through their efforts, he said, students largely thrived during COVID and the phase-in of coeducation.

Lauricella is unsure of his next professional step, but is certain of his first personal one: spending more time with his wife, Kristin, who has already relocated to their home in Vermont. Beyond that, it will be the first time in many years he has had the luxury to consider whether to take another school position right away or tackle long-overdue projects at their 1850s farmhouse.

Lauricella is proud of the dozens of Albany Academy students who came in unsure of their abilities, only to graduate with honors, move on to college, and lead in a broad array of fields.

He is equally proud of the school’s senior leadership team, a group he largely recruited and mentored. “These exceptional administrators are the ones who turned a new vision for Albany Academy into something real and lasting,” he said. As he turns his attention to the school’s leadership transition, he is confident that this team will play an integral part in supporting the new head of school in taking Academy to “the next level.”

Planning for the Middle School shift to coeducation is well underway, and Lauricella is also busy helping students and their families adjust to a unified Albany Academy.

He continues to enjoy a job where no two days are alike, drawing inspiration from student-led morning meetings at all three levels and from sporting events. Throughout his tenure, he has invested in strengthening the performing arts program and has taken particular delight in watching student music, drama, and dance activities flourish.

The school even received an Emmy Award for its performance.

That happened during reunion weekend when longtime CBS journalist Thomas Flynn ’65 – winner of 11 Emmys – was honored as 2025 Distinguished Alumnus. In his remarks, he credited Albany Academy with sparking his curiosity, building his communication skills, and fostering discipline.

“Tom had brought this Emmy in a Trader Joe’s bag and pulled it out and said, ‘I’m giving this to Albany Academy, where I learned what I needed to work for Dan Rather,”’ recalls Lauricella, who keeps the gleaming statuette on a glass coffee table in his office.

“It was not on my BINGO card to end the day with an Emmy in my hand, but it is an awesome memory.”

Observers who see an unflappable, somewhat reserved administrator are not wrong, said Lauricella, a self-professed introvert. In a nearly 30-year career, he has found his niche in the less-visible role of evaluating systems to shape better outcomes.

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upper school at The Brimmer and May School, then, for nearly 11 years, head of school at the progressive Park School of Buffalo.

There, he introduced collaborations with local colleges and helped boost enrollment and fundraising.

Lauricella and his family had been in Albany for less than two years when he heard rumblings of a worldwide health crisis.

Months before the pandemic hit the U.S., he was studying how to run the school if the doors needed to be closed.

“I remember someone asking, ‘We’re not going to use this plan, are we?’’’ He recalls.

“I said, ‘I don’t know, but having a plan beats no plan every day.’ Then, we rolled right into it.”

When the world shut down in March 2020, Albany Academy was ready. Students had been surveyed to identify who might need technology at home. Lessons were published online; teachers were equipped to teach via Zoom and other platforms. Not only that, but they fanned out to deliver materials to every household.

“He steered us through this period with remarkable skill,” recalls Patel, whose first-grade daughter logged into classes each morning in uniform, maintaining a sense of normalcy and structure.

Though she occasionally needed support, Patel was largely able to continue his own work. “The students experienced virtually no disruption to their education,” he recalls.

Upending a culture embraced for more than 200 years was not Lauricella’s goal, any more than designing a way for hundreds of students to attend school from home.

A Long Island native, Lauricella attended SUNY Oneonta, majoring in English education with plans to teach. He started at the National Sports Academy, a now-closed private high school in Lake Placid for skiers and other aspiring Olympians. The experience inspired him to remain in private education, with its student-focused approach, minimal testing requirements, and restrictions on teaching and learning.

“I would have loved to have been a ‘lighthouse keeper’ head of school who was tending long-established fires — it is certainly a more enjoyable role — but the school needed a catalyst for change,” he said.

Cara Mildé wishes challenges had not bookended Lauricella’s tenure.

He also saw that his contributions would not be in the classroom. “It hasn’t been easy to go through these changes,” she said. “But Chris moved us through it with incredible stoicism, resilience, “After teaching ‘Hamlet’ five or six times, I decided this isn’t for and professionalism.” me,” he recalls. “I have colleagues who love teaching ‘Hamlet’ Pictured left: Mr. Lauricella stands proudly with his son, Tristan, who graduated every year. For me, it wasn’t energizing.”

Lauricella earned a Master’s degree in independent school administration from Teachers College, Columbia University. He served as dean of students at The Storm King School, head of

from Academy in 2022.

Pictured, top: Mr. Lauricella’s remarks, often poignant with a touch of flair, have kicked off many Academy events during his tenure.

Pictured, inset: Mr. Lauricella with his wife, Kristin (left); son, Tristan ’22; and daughter, Josephine ’20.

ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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THE

AT ALBANY ACADEMY: A Legacy in the Making

Picture this: Chamber Singers rehearsing in harmony. A student in the darkroom, watching an image emerge. The fall play coming together, line by line, scene by scene. Film & Media Arts students editing their latest project. Dancers moving across the new DuPont Dance Floor, finding their rhythm, their voice, their courage.

This is Albany Academy right now. And it’s extraordinary.

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But here’s what you might not know: this isn’t just a program.

It’s multiple interwoven disciplines (Music, Visual Art, Dance, Theatre, and Film & Media Arts), building pathways for every kind of artist, PreK through 12th grade.

A Lower School student in Pre-K-2 Music becomes a student in 3rd-grade PreBand, then 4th-grade Beginning Band, then Middle School Instrumental Ensembles, and eventually Upper School Chamber Ensemble. A young artist in Lower School Visual Art grows through Middle School Studio Art, Upper School Studio Art, Advanced Studio Art, and finally AP Studio Art. These aren’t isolated classes. They’re journeys. And our students are on them.

The numbers tell the story: Over the past decade, Upper School Arts participation has grown from 44% to 53% of the student body. But here’s the part that matters most: 30% of our students are now taking a second Arts class, beyond the requirement, because they want to be there. They’re choosing between Music Production and AP Photography. Between Dance and Film & Media Arts. Between Advanced Studio Art and AP Music Theory.

They’re not checking a box. They’re building something.

To put that in perspective: Arts programs engage similar or higher percentages of students than our amazing major athletic programs, like basketball. This isn’t a side offering. It’s central to who we are.

And it’s not new. For instance, Dance at Albany Academy began in 1934 with Martha Hinman Ellis, Class of 1929. One of her students, Gertrude Hallenbeck Cashvan ’38, carried that vision forward until 1972. Then one of her students, Cathy Rosenblatt ’65, returned to expand the program even further. When Ann Morris joined her, they created a comprehensive, school-wide dance curriculum. Today, Mrs. Eve Whelchel and Mrs. Gabi Douglas continue that legacy: a nearly century-long conversation between teachers and students, each generation carrying the light forward.

That same spirit lives across all our artistic disciplines. Our students aren’t just learning techniques. They’re learning confidence, empathy, and resilience. They’re learning to move through the world and to express who they are within it.

This year, Elissa DuPont ’52 made a generous donation to create the DuPont Dance Floor in our new Performing Arts Studio, a state-of-the-art sprung floor honoring her daughter, Marcy Stevens Kimball ’79, and her enduring love of dance. That gift didn’t just create a beautiful space to allow our students to explore their creativity through movement. It sent a message: the Arts aren’t just important. They’re essential.

Right now, we’re teaching Film & Media Arts, AP Music Theory, Music Production, Advanced Photography, a Middle School 7/8

Theatre Production, and more than 20 other courses across all the artistic disciplines. We’re producing an Upper School fall play and a winter musical. We’re building pathways from PreK through 12th grade. We’re creating spaces where 100% of our Lower School and Middle School students and more than half of our Upper School students are choosing to be artists.

THE ARTS AT ALBANY ACADEMY AREN’T JUST ALIVE. THEY’RE THRIVING. AND YOU CAN HELP ENSURE THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. Your gift to the Arts helps us continue weaving creativity into the fabric of our community. It helps us write the next chapter of a story that’s been over two centuries in the making. It ensures every student who walks through our doors has the chance to discover their voice, whether that’s through a camera lens, a paintbrush, a dance floor, a stage, or a song.

Thea

Make your gift to the Arts today.

SCAN TO D ONATE ›

ACAD EMY MAG AZ IN E • Spring 2026

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THE GAME

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cross its long history, Albany Academy has set ambitious expectations for what students can achieve. That pursuit of excellence has shaped the classroom, the arts, and the leadership experiences that define an Academy education.

Today, the school is applying that same ambition to athletics.

Albany Academy has begun a multi-year transition toward the prep and Independent school athletic model, aligning many of its varsity programs with respected independent school leagues such as the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) and New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS). The move expands competition across the Northeast and places Academy teams alongside some of the most accomplished independent school programs in the country.

For students, the shift creates an athletic experience that mirrors the collegepreparatory environment they encounter every day at Albany Academy.

Most importantly, the change allows the Academy’s athletic program to fully reflect the potential of the school itself.

“We want our athletic program to meet the same standard of excellence that defines every aspect of an Albany Academy education.”

Paul Gallucci, Director of Athletics

WHY THE PREP SCHOOL MODEL? The prep school athletic model is widely used by independent schools throughout New England and down state independent schools. It creates opportunities that extend well beyond traditional regional leagues.

of intellectual rigor, character development, and athletic excellence.

Student-athletes compete against peer institutions that share similar academic expectations and school missions. Schedules often include travel throughout the region, national showcase events, and expanded exposure for students interested in competing at the collegiate level.

For Albany Academy, the model represents a natural evolution.

Academy has long balanced strong academics with meaningful athletic opportunities. By joining prep & independent school leagues, the school positions its teams within a network of institutions that value the same balance

Just as importantly, it strengthens Albany Academy’s position as the Capital Region’s premier Pre-K through postgraduate independent school.

BUILDING THE NEXT LEVEL Academy’s athletic momentum is also evident in the growing number of studentathletes pursuing collegiate competition.

Recent standout Jack Louridas ’26 committed to Yale University, highlighting the increasing visibility of Albany Academy athletes among college programs. And, he’s not alone. Over two dozen seniors from the Class of 2026 have committed to play collegiate athletics, spanning

multiple sports. As of this writing, the Class of 2026 is trending toward one of the highest percentages in recent Academy history going on to compete in college athletics.

Pictured left: Girls basketball in their final season of Sectional play as they prepare to make a shift in 2026-2027.

Pictured bottom left: Boys swimming & diving team took first in their inaugural NEPSAC season.

Pictured center: Jack Louridas ’26 goes for the dunk. Jack committed to Yale University in his junior year.

Pictured right, top: Cross Country and Track & Field have shifted to competing in NYSAIS. Pictured above: Girls lacrosse entered their first season of NYSAIS play in spring 2026.

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THE C L ASS O F

2025 24

A Celebration of Achievement, Character, and Community In June of 2025, Albany Academy proudly celebrated the graduation of 103 students across two meaningful ceremonies that honored the achievements and aspirations of the Class of 2025. Families, faculty, and friends gathered to recognize the culmination of years of hard work, growth, and community spirit.

At the Albany Academy for Girls commencement, graduates heard from alumna Nicole “Nikki” Borisenok ’08, entrepreneur and owner of Old Tavern Farm. Returning to campus to address the class, she reflected on the importance of resilience and remaining open to unexpected paths.

“Success isn’t a straight line. It’s built through persistence.”

Nicole “Nikki” Borisenok ’08 Her remarks encouraged graduates to pursue work that inspires them and to approach their future with curiosity and confidence.

At the Albany Academy commencement ceremony, technology entrepreneur Sean Austin ’07 reflected on the shared experiences that shaped the class and the lessons learned along the way.

“The lessons we carry from this place extend far beyond the classroom.”

Sean Austin ’07 Across both ceremonies, the message was clear. The Class of 2025 leaves Albany Academy with the knowledge, character, and curiosity that have long defined the school’s mission.

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From the Class of 1975 marking 50 years to the newest graduates just beginning their alumnae and alumni journey, Reunion 2025 brought together the full breadth of the Academy community. The weekend was filled with familiar faces who shared cherished memories and conversations that reminded us why Academy connections last a lifetime.

Throughout the weekend, we proudly recognized the honorees whose commitment and impact continue to shape Academy’s legacy. Join us in recognizing:

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA Jen Marsden Hamilton ’65

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Thomas Flynn ’65

John Harris ’85 Kevin Connell ’95 Joseph Milot ’00 Christopher Ashley ’05 ’04-’05 Boys Basketball Team Paul Weafer (Service Award)

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA Mackenzie Costigan ’15 FEDERICKA VOORHAAR SLINGERLAND ’32 VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARD Natasha Franklin ’00

AA HONOREES:

AAG HONOREES: Amanda Cioffi ’10 Emily Acker ’15 Natalie Squillace Shepperly ’14

ARTS HALL OF FAME James Forni ’80 Robert Najarian ’95 Christopher Paul Sainato ’10 Marilyn Propp ’65 Margaret Lamar King ’65

ption e c e R e m o lc We

Reunion ’

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Turner MICHAEL G.

OUR NEXT HEAD OF SCHOOL 28

Michael G. Turner brings a commitment to excellence, a student-centered vision, and a gardener’s approach to leadership as he prepares to lead Albany Academy into its next chapter.

MICHAEL G. TURNER ON PHILOSOPHY, AND BEING VISIBLE If you ask Mr. Turner what he loves most about being a Head of School, he does not hesitate, “It’s the students. Their energy and growth make the work demanding and complex. No two days are the same.”

In July 2026, Turner will step into that role at Albany Academy, bringing with him a clear educational philosophy and an approach to leadership that’s both thoughtful and deeply personal. For Turner, great teaching starts with truly knowing the students in front of you.

“Being student-centered does not mean abandoning tradition or research,” he explains. “It means bringing expertise and evidence-based practice to bear in ways that meet today’s students where they are.”

It’s a philosophy built on high expectations paired with high support, and it extends directly to how Turner leads.

He often returns to a metaphor his wife, Meredith, likes to use: a gardener’s shadow is the best fertilizer.

That means being visible, accessible, and genuinely invested in the day-to-day life of the school. For Turner, a great school is one where the mission isn’t just framed on a wall, it’s alive across the campus. “It is built around faculty and staff who love their work and care deeply for one another and for their students,” he says. “In such a place, there is both joy and struggle, laughter and tears, and above all a genuine love of learning and being together.”

FAMILY: • Three children: Maggie (Harvard ‘26), Fran (Boston College ‘27), Augie (graduating from William Penn Charter School in 2026, set to attend the U.S. Naval Academy after graduation) Mr. Michael Turner and Mrs. Meredith Turner

belief that Academy is poised for something significant,” he says.

What does he see when he looks at Albany Academy?

“Proud histories, strong faculty and staff, and engaged, and dedicated students–the AN EXCITING MOMENT essential ingredients of a remarkable school.” His vision Turner is joining Academy for the next five to ten years at what he describes as “an is straightforward: “to build exciting moment.” He’s quick on that foundation with clarity to credit outgoing Head of and ambition, ensuring that we School Christopher Lauricella P’20, ’22, the Board of Trustees, fully realize the promise that is already present.” and the leadership team for the thoughtful, strategic work they’ve done to position the school for its next chapter.

“I sense gratitude across the community, along with a clear

“A great school is one where the mission is not simply framed on a wall but alive all across the campus. It is a community that knows who it is, who it is not, and what it is striving to accomplish together.”

Michael G. Turner

GETTING TO KNOW MR. AND MRS. TURNER

“The same is true for leaders and organizations,” Turner says.

“Leadership requires proximity.

You have to be close to the work, present, attentive, and fully engaged in it.”

When asked how he’ll approach innovation while honoring Academy’s deep traditions, Turner doesn’t see it as a tension. “Traditions are not obstacles to innovation; they are part of what makes a school like Academy distinctive and strong,” he says. “Schools like Academy became great by daring boldly. Sustaining excellence demands continuing to do so in ways that are anchored in the mission.”

• Two dogs: Teddy (Newfiepoo) and Enzo (Golden Retriever) • One cat: Mo Cheeks (Ragdoll) ROOTS: • Mr. Turner grew up in Fort Washington, a Philadelphia suburb, adjacent to Germantown Academy (GA), where his father was a legendary teacher and coach.

• All four Turner siblings attended GA, and three married GA alums (including Mrs. Turner, a proud alumna!)

• Mr. Turner and Mrs. Turner went to junior and senior prom together. Later, they both returned to their alma mater to begin their teaching and coaching careers.

FUN FACTS: • Mr. Turner’s nickname is “Pup.” • A defensive end, Mr. Turner holds the career sacks record at UPenn.

• Mrs. Turner played D1 lacrosse and studied Art Education at Temple University.

• Mr. Turner recently learned to scuba dive.

• Coffee? Black.

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A Legacy of

Innovation A

TOM TUT TL E ’84 L EA DS THE WAY— W IL L YOU JOIN HIM?

lbany Academy is embarking on one of the most ambitious academic initiatives in its modern history: the creation of a new Innovation Center—a transformational hub where students will learn, collaborate, and create across science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

This bold vision is being made possible through a transformational gift from Tom Tuttle ’84, whose generosity and belief in the power of innovation will impact generations of students to come.

“When I arrived at Albany Academy in 1980, a technology transformation was just beginning. From the new Apple II computers to the discussions of gene sequencing in biology class—the Academy teachers were forcing the students to imagine the future in the fields of science and technology.

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Today’s opportunities are no longer science fiction— they are necessary reality. The opportunities range from robotics and artificial intelligence to gene manipulation and energy independence. Academy must provide a center to gather young minds together and tackle these challenges and opportunities immediately.

We cannot wait.”

Tom Tuttle ’84

THE FUTURE OF LEARNING The Innovation Center will serve as a dynamic space where creativity meets technology, equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and computer-aided design tools that allow students to bring ideas to life. Located in the repurposed Upper School “old gym,” it will unite classrooms currently scattered across campus, fostering collaboration, experimentation, and discovery.

Above: Renderings of the Innovation Center.

The Center will also free up space in the Borisenok Family Science Center, which will become a dedicated hub for Middle School science. This shift in space benefits the entire Lower School Middle School campus, allowing for Middle School students to move into the Borisnok wing, and freeing up needed classroom space for the growing Lower School.

“Our Innovation Center is part of a much larger plan to re-establish our school as the leading scientific and engineering high school in the Capital Region. With your help, this can happen sooner rather than later.”

ENVISION THE INNOVATION CENTER

A CALL TO INNOVATE TOGETHER

Ready to see what’s possible? Scan the QR code to watch an animated fly-through of the Innovation Center.

“The careers and technologies that our students will face in the future don’t even exist yet! They will have to use their critical and creative leadership to carve new pathways in all industries. In order for students to do this, they need to be able to create, invent, and reiterate here at Albany Academy.”

Matthew Essery

As Albany Academy begins this exciting new chapter, the Innovation Center stands as both a space and a symbol of curiosity turned into confidence, and ideas transformed into impact. Tom Tuttle ‘84 has led the way. Now, we invite you to join him.

Will you help build the space for building futures?

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY Brad Bodmer, Director of Institutional Advancement bodmerb@albanyacademy.org

Matthew Essery P’25, ’29, ’33, Science & Technology Faculty and Department Chair

Your name. Your legacy. Your impact.

TODAY’S GENEROSITY SHAPES TOMORROW’S LEADERS

Honor your connection to Albany Academy with a lasting tribute. Naming opportunities are still available:

Tom Tuttle’s transformational gift continues a long tradition of alumni and alumnae leadership that sustains Albany Academy’s legacy of excellence. His support not only makes the Innovation Center possible but also invites others to join in advancing a shared commitment to preparing students to become the thinkers, creators, and leaders our world needs most.

Every contribution will help equip the classrooms, labs, and creative studios where tomorrow’s innovators will discover, experiment, and lead.

Innovation Center Classroom: Two opportunities remaining Innovation Center Lab: One opportunity remaining These spaces will carry your name—and your belief in the next generation of innovators—for decades to come.

To learn more about naming opportunities, contact Brad Bodmer in the Office of Institutional Advancement.

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A baker.

A data analyst.

An entrepreneur.

A chef.

A coach.

What do they all have in common?

An Academy education.

Don’t miss the stories of our alumnae and alumni.

Elon D. Johnson AAG ’94: Producing stories not found in Hollywood

Joe Fitzgerald ’74: Anchored in History, The Port of Albany Erik Payton ’21: Tackling Questions Light Years Away

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Emily Allen ’20: From Our State to the National Stage

Karen Avery ’83: A Mild-Mannered Powerhouse Rachele Genhofer Feisthamel ’06: Setting the Record Straight About Bagels

Michael Murray ’99: He set school records; now he prepares the next Academy swimming champions Katianna Weiner Hong ’02: Albany Academy’s own top chef

Thomas “TJ” Conti ’97, P’34, ’35: A Wall Street Executive Who Will Take Your Order

Amari Duncan ’14: The unexpected journey to Alumnae Association president

Visit our Spotlights page to read more.

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