Enrichment Programs & Clubs

List of 19 items.

• Academy Road (co-ed)

  Faculty Advisor: Dave Pascone and Elizabeth DiNuzzi
  Student Leader(s): Austin M. '20
  View Newspaper
  
  The Academy Road is The Albany Academies, student run, online newspaper. We write articles on a variety of topics ranging from in-school news to current events. Our writers, from freshman to seniors, both girls and boys, each have diverse interests and passions that come through in their articles. With the nature of an online newspaper, it can be constantly updated and articles can be published at any time. In addition to writers and editors, members can also design graphics for articles as well as take photographs for use on the website.

• Art Club (co-ed)

  Faculty Advisor: Jane Chasin
  Student Leader(s): Emmett W. '20
  
  The Art club meets once a week during club block in Mrs. Chasin’s room to work on various craft projects. The club will also make items to sell for fundraising activities for different charities. Completed projects will be displayed on both sides of the street.

• Certamen Club

  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Susannah Brower 
  Student Leader(s): Owen B. '19 and George S. '19
  
  A jeopardy-style game for Latin. We practice every club block and make periodic trips to compete against other schools.

• Chess Club

  Faculty Advisor: John Hofgesang
  Student Leader(s): Sandeep A. '19
  
  Aside from the in-house tournament the chess club focuses on the three main parts of the game, the opening, the middle game and the end game.  All players are ranked after two months and then we set the brackets for the tournament.  Throughout the winter we complete the competition.

• Environmental Club

  Faculty Advisor: Peter Hansen '91

  Student Leader: Max H. '19  and Mitch C. '19
  
  

  Club will meet regularly to schedule volunteers to staff different environmental opportunities. They will also hold discussions about environmental issues and discuss ways to raise awareness of those issues.

• Fishing Club

  Faculty Advisors: Mr. Zabinski 
  Student Leaders: Ethan D. '19 and Niko M. '19

• International Club

  Faculty Advisor: Kellie Gorton
  Student Leader(s): Alex L. '21
  
  The International Club has the objective of providing support to international students at The Albany Academy through various activities, such as field trips, cross-cultural awareness activities, celebrating cultural holiday, etc.  All students at The Albany Academies are welcome to join.

• Investment Club (AA)

  Faculty Advisor: Dr. Scott Milliken
  Student Leader(s): Zach M. '19
  
  The Albany Academy Investment Club offers a unique learning experience, affording students the opportunity to experiment with real money in the American stock market. Club members are divided into small groups and challenged to research public companies in order to provide logical support for their investment choices. Once a stock choice is approved by a group leader and the faculty advisor, real shares are purchased on the stock market. Students are then tasked with monitoring their shares and determining the best time to sell. Members of the club leave with an improved understanding of the market and an appreciation of the risks associated with buying and selling shares. Any student interested in the stock market or equity investment is encouraged to join.

• Math and Science Tutors

  Faculty Advisor: Joel Donato
  Student Leader(s): Alex Demoly
  
  The aim of our peer tutoring program is to offer students the opportunity to tutor their classmates in all courses that are based upon core mathematical principles. We offer help in all levels of mathematics, in addition to chemistry and physics classes. By affording students the chance to hold leadership positions and help others, we contribute to the academic growth of the Albany Academies and pave the way for a community that emphasizes the importance of spreading knowledge to all.

• Meditation Club

  Faculty Advisor: Powell Cucchiella 

  Student Leader: Kevin H. '20
  
  

  Use meditation methods to improve a person’s ability to concentrate in both academics and athletics. This club will provide a platform for students and teachers build up mental toughness.

  
  

• Model UN

  Faculty Advisor: Mr. Kauth
  Student Leader: Hudson F. '19

• Neuroscience

  Faculty Advisor: Maddie Harris
  Student Leader(s): Connor Balter
  
  Neuroscience club offers students the opportunity strengthen their knowledge of the Science's and the opportunity to compete in the regional Brain Bee in February at Albany Medical Center.

• Robotics Team (co-ed)

  Faculty Advisor: Walter Keeley
  Student Leader(s): Levi Frienberg-Trufas
  
  The Albany Academies Upper School Robotics Team competes in the FIRST Robotics Tech Challenge as FTC Team 4809. The team, known as “Botman”, designs, builds, and programs a robot every year to compete in tournaments across New York State. Team members learn important technical skills in design, fabrication, 3-D printing, and Java programming as well as practicing management skills in areas of communication, organization, and public speaking.

• Science Bowl

  Faculty Advisor: Emer Taylor
  Student Leader(s): WIlliam F. '20
  
  The group meets every club block to practice for the regional competition held at General Electric in March. The goal of the group is to compete at the National Compeition held in April.

• Ski Club

  Every winter, Middle School and Upper School students from both campuses have the opportunity to enjoy some outdoor winter fun with Ski Club! For five Friday nights in January and February, students are transported by motor coach to the Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort, where they can enjoy three hours on the mountain with their friends, accompanied by our chaperones. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, students have the option of taking an hour long lesson as well. Students may bring their own gear, or rent skis/snowboards from the Snowsports Desk at Jiminy Peak.
  
  Registration is now open.  Please download the following forms and return them to Elise Balint, along with payment.  Questions?  Email Elise at balinte@albanyacademies.org.
  
  

  • Ski Club Permission Form
  • Jiminy Peak Agreement
  • Rental Equipment Agreement

• Speech and Debate Team

  Faculty Advisor: Robert Bischoff
  Student Leader(s): Zachary H. '19
  
  Primary focus is Lincoln-Douglas debate with forays into political and moral philosophy. Eventually, students will participate in tournaments throughout the Northeast. Primary meeting time is Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• Student Ambassadors

  Faculty Advisor: Taylor Schupp
  Student Leader(s): Nick G. '19
  
  Student ambassadors help with different aspects of presenting our school positively.  They work with the Admissions office with campus tours, student visits, and our Open House.  Some students present during our monthly Lunch on Us meetings giving perspective families an idea of what it is like to be an Academy student.  Ambassadors help with different events throughout the year both on and off campus as well as coordinate with other offices in many different facets.

• Student Political Forum

  Faculty Advisor: Mark Wimmer
  Student Leader(s): Connors O'Brien
  
  The heart of democracy is participation, and that extends far beyond voting. A clash of ideas and activism are what really fuel the fire. The Student Political Forum, or SPF, allows students to congregate and express their own personal beliefs on communal, national, and global issues we face. Monthly meetings with federal, state, or local elected officials are a mutual benefit between SPF and our elected representatives. Students benefit because our voices will be heard, we learn from others and gain new ways of thinking, and we gain the invaluable experience of working with these leaders. Elected officials benefit from getting another perspective of an often neglected, but prominent and highly influential group.

• Young American's Foundation

  Faculty Advisor: Bo Buran 
  Student Leaders: Dan T. '20 and Berkeley T. '20
  
  This club will provide students the opportunity to voice their opinions about current political issues without being discriminated against due to their outlook. The mission of the club is to unite students of all political ideologies and encourage a deeper understanding of current political issues.