Admissions

Application Process & Financial Aid

We are excited that you are considering The Albany Academies for your son or daughter's education, and we look forward to working with you throughout the admissions process!

 
Our Admissions Office looks for students who are talented, eager and responsible citizens whose skills and interests will enhance and strengthen the school community. We value students who will contribute in a variety of areas, including athletics, the arts, leadership and service. We hope to make this process comfortable and efficient for prospective students and families.
 

Start the application process

List of 5 items.

  • 1. Schedule a School Tour

    We ask all prospective students and their parents to come to the school for a campus tour, which will allow a family to see our students in action, observe our engaged faculty, view our amazing facilities, and meet with our Admissions team to learn more about our school.

    It also provides the Admissions Office with the opportunity to get to know the applicant and their family, and answer any questions the family may have about our programs or the application process. Tours are given throughout the year, but we encourage you to visit the campuses while classes are in session.
     
    To arrange a tour, please contact the Admissions Office at (518) 429-2348 or admissions@albanyacademies.org.

  • 2. Submit Application Forms

    Please use our online application form or print and fill out the hard copy application forms and mail to the Office of Admissions 135 Academy Road, Albany NY 12208.

    Note: Pre-K applicants are typically 4-year-olds, respectively, when the school year begins. Applicants for Kindergarten are usually 5 years old.

    If you would like to submit an Application for Admission for the current school year, please contact Shellie Carr in the Admissions Office at 518-429-2348 or by email at carrs@albanyacademies.org for this form.

  • 3. Schedule a Student Visit

    As part of the Admissions process, we recommend candidate's spend a day visiting with us. The student visit allows the applicant an opportunity to experience a day at our school firsthand -- meeting our faculty and getting to know our students. Lower school student assessments and Middle School candidate interviews will take place during the student visit. Student visit days are scheduled on Wednesdays throughout the academic year. For convenience, student visit days are also scheduled during local school vacation weeks in February and April.

  • 4. Required Testing & Evaluations

    Pre-K – Grade 1: Evaluation of the candidate's skills will be done during the child's morning visit to the school. In the event that the skills screening is not completed during a student visit, the candidate will be invited back for a second visit.
     
    Grades 2 – 4: The candidate's skills will be observed during the classroom visit. In the event that the skills screening is not completed during the student visit, a candidate will be invited back for a second visit.
     
    Grades 5 – 12: An entrance exam is required for all students entering Grades 5-12. The entrance exam will be administered on campus by the Admissions Office. If the SSAT (Secondary School Admissions Test), ISSEE (Independent School Entrance Exam), PSAT, SAT, or ACT has already been taken, please have the scores sent to the Admissions Office.

  • 5. Acceptance & Enrollment

    Application files are reviewed by the Admissions Committee once they have been completed. Upon acceptance, students will be sent an acceptance packet and an Enrollment Contract; the Enrollment Contract and a deposit of $1,000 are due within three weeks of receipt of the Enrollment Contract. This deposit will reserve your child’s space at The Albany Academies and will be applied toward tuition.
If you would like to submit an application for admission for the current school year, please contact the Admissions Office at 518-429-2348.

Financial Aid

The Albany Academies are committed to maintaining a strong, diverse student body in a learning environment rich with cultural, ethnic and economic diversity. With this in mind, we have developed a variety of financing options to help make an Academy education affordable. Our financial aid program exists to attract and assist a diverse and qualified student population, including students who might not otherwise pursue an independent school education.

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Q. How do I apply for financial aid?

    If you are a new family to our school and indicate interest in financial aid on your application, the Admissions Office will send you information regarding the financial aid application. If you would like to request these forms, please contact Admissions at (518) 429-2348 or admissions@albanyacademies.org.
     
    Families who have participated in our Financial Aid program in the past can login to School and Student Services to complete a Parent Financial Statement for the next school year. Families new to the Financial Aid process can reach out to the Office of Admissions for instructions.

    You may submit the Parent's Financial Statement (PFS) online at https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal. Please note that the Academies code is 1162. For assistance, please contact the SSS Helpline at (800) 344-8328.

    In addition, parents will have the opportunity to upload required supporting documents (Federal tax returns and W2s) when they complete the Parent Financial Statement. Final decisions by the Financial Aid Committee will be based on the most recent year's data. Please contact the Admissions Office with questions about supporting documents.
     
     
     
     

  • Q. How is financial aid determined?

    We require that both natural parents contribute to the cost of education to the full extent of their ability and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. The non-custodial parent must complete a Parent Financial Statement through SSS unless that person's location is unknown or he/she has had no contact with the child for at least two years. The non-custodial parent must also submit his or her current federal and state tax forms, supporting schedules, and W-2s. The custodial parent submits a PFS form as previously noted. We assure complete confidentiality. The cooperation of both parents is required before financial aid awards are determined.”

  • Q. How do I apply for financial aid if I am divorced or have never married?

    We require that both natural parents contribute to the cost of education to the full extent of their ability and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. The non-custodial parent must complete a Financial Statement for Parents who are Separated or Divorced and submit it directly to the Director of Financial Aid unless that person's location is unknown or he/she has had no contact with the child for at least two years. The non-custodial parent must also submit his or her current federal and state tax forms, supporting schedules, and W-2s. The custodial parent submits a PFS form as previously noted. We assure complete confidentiality. The cooperation of both parents is required before Financial Aid awards are determined.

  • Q. When do I apply for financial aid? When are awards made?

    Send your PFS form through SSS as early as possible in the calendar year for which you are applying. Preference is given to applications received by the February 15 deadline. Awards for new students are made after February 15 in conjunction with the admissions decision and continue thereafter as the budget permits.

  • Q. Will my child receive aid in subsequent years?

    Financial aid awards are renewable for subsequent years, as long as the demonstrated need continues, the student remains in good standing, and the funds are available. Applications for financial aid must be submitted annually by the published deadline.

Tuition Includes

  • Early Bird Program -- Students may arrive on campus at 7:15 a.m. for the Early Bird Program, which provides adult supervision and age-appropriate activities.

  • Textbooks -- Student textbooks are provided by the student's home school district in accordance with their textbook policy. Once a student is enrolled, The Albany Academies' Registrar's Office will send a textbook list to the parents to sign the form and send it to their child’s home school district.

Please note that there will be a $500 dining fee per student (non-optional). Foodservice provides a healthy, nutritious morning snack and lunch every day that includes a hot lunch menu, salad bar, deli bar, and fresh fruit.

In accordance with New York State law, a student's home school district must provide transportation to and from school within a 15-mile radius. Families should call their local school district transportation department to make bus arrangements.

Payment Options

Listed below are several payment options available to families. If you have any additional questions, please contact the Business Office by calling (518) 429-2300 or admissions@albanyacademies.org.
  • Single Payment: Offered for full payment by July 31
  • Two Payments: Two convenient payments – July 31 and November 30
  • Up to Ten Payments: $50 annual fee per family, no interest, no credit review, no prepayment penalty, Automatic life benefit coverage, convenient monthly payments through TuitionPay administered by Blackbaud.

2023-2024 Rates

List of 7 items.

  • Early Childhood

    Preschool,
    PreK & K..........................$15,025

  • Lower School

    Grades 1-4...........................$18,920

  • Middle School

    Grades 5-8........................... $22,260
     

  • Upper School

    Grades 9-12 (PG)................. $25,600

  • International

    Interntional students —  $41,350
    International Health Insurance — $2,295

  • Additional Expenses

    • Transportation -- A private busing program is available to families in Columbia, Greene, and Saratoga Counties.
    • Extended Day Program -- We provide an Extended Day Program from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on each campus.
    • Lunch program - $550/yr
    To learn more, please contact CFO Vivian Benton at bentonv@albanyacademies.org.

  • Tuition Deposit

    To enroll a student and secure his space at The Albany Academy, a $1,000 non-refundable tuition deposit is required along with a signed enrollment contract. This payment will be applied to the tuition balance.

The Albany Academy

135 Academy Road - Albany, NY 12208
(518) 429-2300 Fax: (518) 427-7016

Albany Academy for Girls

140 Academy Road - Albany, NY 12208
(518) 429-2300 Fax: (518) 463-5096

Schellenberger Alumni/ae Center

93 Academy Road - Albany, NY 12208
(518) 429-2414 Fax: (518) 429-2380
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