Dear Friends,

For school folks, Memorial Day Weekend signals the beginning of the end. June is just around the corner, and the tempo of all the traditions and events that accompany the end of the school year begins to pick up as classes dwindle (the last formal classes in Upper School were held today!). Nonetheless, as you will see below, it was another action-packed week on campus. 

I would be remiss if I also didn’t take a moment to focus on the reason for the upcoming holiday weekend. On Monday, at 3:00 pm, we are meant to pause as a nation and reflect on those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country and the values on which it stands. If you do this, I ask that you join me in remembering our alumni and alumnae in your thoughts.

Have an excellent (long) weekend!

Chris Lauricella

Head of School

Key Club News



The AAG Key Club's final project of the school year was to support area cancer patients through the NYOH (New York Oncology and Hematology) Community Cancer Foundation. The Key Clubbers donated items such as coloring books, word search/sudoku, pens, colored pencils, journals, socks, hand cream, hard candies, tissues and lip balm. Twenty-six tote bags were filled with the items and are being donated to patients that are just starting cancer treatment at NYOH. Thanks to all members for your wonderful service performed throughout this year!

Trout Release

Last week Mr. Essery's AA biology class travelled to Doc Shoals Creek to release the brook trout they had been raising in the classroom since December. The trout eggs were part of a grant through Trout Unlimited and the DEC. Doc Shoals Creek is the stream that exits Howe Caverns and is optimally suited for trout survival because of its healthy benthic macroinvertebrate populations and its well-balanced chemistry. After the release they hiked Vroman's Nose in Middleburgh and were able to even observe peregrine falcons in their natural environment.

Joseph Henry Science Fair

On May 19, students from The Albany Academies, that had previously won the Grade 7 Science Symposium, participated in the Joseph Henry Science Fair held at The College of Saint Rose. The presentations were:

Elizabeth D. & Zoha K. - Effects of Angles on Melting Butter

Cora H. - The Classification of Memorization

Cecilia S. - The Effects of Vision Loss on Reaction Time

Amelia B. - Tuck Angles Effects in Downhill Ski Speeds

Leah F. - Flexible Sticks and Speedy Slap Shots

James S. & Patrick V. - Do the Microbes Thrive, Survive or Die

Max A. - Caffeine - Growth or Hoax?

Will H. - Generating the Future

Chris M. - Sonic Extinguisher

Alex S. - One Bad Apple Spoils the Bunch!

Congratulations to the following students recognized:

Alex S. - 3rd place

Chris M. - Honorable Mention

Leah F. - Honorable Mention.

National Spanish Exam

Students in 8^th grade were recognized for earning high marks on the National Spanish Exam. Medal Winners from left to right are: Sela E., bronze, Ahana G., gold; Catie M., silver; and Laurel R. silver. Congratulations for their high achievement!

A Glimpse Into Our Classrooms

Rhea Agrawal received her National Latin Exam book award this week, which she earned by winning gold medals on the National Latin Exam for the past four years. Congratulations on this achievement! 

Students from the Spring After School Theatre Enrichment Program presented their final performances on Tuesday afternoon. The 1st through 4th graders presented a short musical called "Summer Camp", and the 5th and 6th graders presented a play called "What Happened After Once Upon A Time." Both the performers and the audience had a terrific time!

Mrs. LuPone’s 7^th grade English class acting out a scene from "Macbeth."

Mrs. LuPone's 8th grade English Class is preparing to present their scene from Midsummer Night's Dream.

Preschoolers have spent the past 2 weeks studying the butterfly life cycle. They have observed caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies and recorded their observations in their own butterfly journals! 

The AA First Grade boys took a trip to MiSci to explore the museum. They learned all

about dinosaurs, experimented with engineering, and took in a planetarium show.

Adam LeFevre '68, once again, came in to work with Mr. Johnson's Upper School Filmmaking class on their final films for the year. It was an amazing experience to have a seasoned professional take time out of his schedule work and act with our students and give them a taste of what it is like to be on a professional film set. 

Mr. Johnson's Upper School Theatre Class had their final exam, a murder mystery! Students got a list of character traits and facts where they had to create a character, costume, and act and interact through improv over two days to then come up with the clues to find out whodunit!

Second graders visited the New York State Museum to learn about the Haudenosaunee longhouse and how Native Americans in this region lived.

During Library class, AAG Fourth Grade presented "Elephant & Piggie" books by Mo Willems through skits for AAG First Grade. Students were immersed in 5 different stories, performed by our spirited rising Fifth Graders.

The 3rd grade boys visited the New York State Museum this week! They practiced collecting evidence to support their opinion of which was the best exhibit in the museum.

Summer is quickly approaching, and our camp weeks are filling fast! We currently have limited space available in Little Leap (entering pre-K and kindergarten), Jr. LEAP (entering first and second grade), LEAP (entering grades 3-8) and Immersion Chinese (entering grades 3-5). For detailed information about each program, LEAP blocks to choose your child’s schedule and to register for camp, please visit The Albany Academies Summer Program page.

Upper School Math for Credit Summer Classes

Classes: Algebra 1, Geometry and Pre-Calculus

Dates: June 20-July 31

Time: 8am-11am

Cost: $1,250

Registration is now open. Click here to view class information. Click here to register for the class.

For math specific questions, please contact Math Dept. Chair, Robert Bischoff at bischoffr@albanyacademies.org

From the AAPA - End of Year Celebration!

The AAPA has planned an End of Year Celebration to close out a fabulous year on June 6, 2023, from 11:30 am - 3:00 pm. The faculty have asked for parent volunteers to assist with our students in Preschool through Grade 8. If you would like to help, please use the sign-up link below to see the volunteer opportunities. 

Click here to view volunteer opportunities.

*Please note that due to scheduling matters, we do not have a rain date for this event, so please make a wish for sunny skies that day. 

Errata - Athletics Senior Recognitions

In last week's edition of Head Lines, Jacob O. '23 was not in the AA Varsity Track & Field Team Senior Recognition photo. Our sincere apologies for the oversight!

Varsity Golf

Congratulations to members of our girls Varsity Golf Team that competed in the Onondaga Junior Invitational. Samantha V. '25 who won the event and Nicole C. '23 who placed second.

Golf Outing planned -- Make your reservation and purchase raffle tickets now for great prizes!



Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to hit the links! Join us on Monday, June 19, at Colonie Golf and Country Club for a fun-filled day of golf. Come out to meet some of our scholar-athletes, purchase raffle tickets, have dinner with us, donate, or join us for a round of golf – no golf experience needed! The cost is $250 per person for golf and dinner and $60 per person for dinner only. To register, purchase tickets to our awards dinner and raffle, or make a donation, CLICK HERE.

May 29, 2023

Memorial Day - School Closed

May 30, 2023

Day 3

Upper School Math Final Exam

7:15 a.m. Students begin checking in (Michael B. Picotte Field House)

7:45 a.m. All students must be checked in at the gymnasium

8:00 a.m. Math Final Exam Begins

May 31, 2023

Day 4

Upper School History Final Exam

7:15 a.m. Students begin checking in (Michael B. Picotte Field House)

7:45 a.m. All students must be checked in at the gymnasium

8:00 a.m. History Final Exam Begins

June 1, 2023

Day 5

Upper School World Language Final Exam

7:15 a.m. Students begin checking in (Michael B. Picotte Field House)

7:45 a.m. All students must be checked in at the gymnasium

8:00 a.m. World Language Final Exam Begins

8:20 a.m. Joint Lower School Assembly (Auditorium)

1:30 p.m. AAG Grade 6 Renaissance Faire (Courtyard)

June 2, 2023

Day 6

Upper School Science Final Exam

7:15 a.m. Students begin checking in (Michael B. Picotte Field House)

7:45 a.m. All students must be checked in at the gymnasium

8:00 a.m. Science Final Exam Begins

June 5 - Lower School Field Day

June 6 - Middle School Field Day

June 6 - AAPA End of Year Celebration

June 7 - Last Chapel

June 7 - Final Assembly

June 7 - May Project Fair

June 8 - AA Middle School Closing Ceremony

June 8 - AAG Middle School Moving Up Ceremony

June 8 - Kindergarten Graduation Ceremonies

June 9 - AAG Lower School Closing Ceremony

June 9 - AA Lower School Closing Ceremony

June 9 - AAG Senior Tea

June 11 - AAG Commencement Rehearsal

June 12 - AAG Commencement

June 12 - AA Commencement Rehearsal

June 13 - AA Commencement

June 14 - 16 - Professional Development Days