Applications are available for the lottery to determine placement in Albany High School’s four academies for the 2018-19 school year.
Click here to download an information booklet and application.
Each of Albany High's four unique academies has its own theme. Each offers electives specific to that theme, and the themes also are woven into the core curriculum. However, students also can take electives in different academies and the electives are equally available to all.
The themes are:
- Citizenship Academy: global awareness and multiculturalism
- Electives: Upper-level classes in social studies and foreign language
- Discovery Academy: communication and performing arts
- Electives: Upper-level classes in English, music and art
- Innovation Academy: science, technology and engineering
- Electives: Upper-level classes science, technology and engineering
- Leadership Academy: civic and social responsibility
- Electives: Upper-level classes in math and business
The Albany High lottery is open to all incoming freshmen and new students, as well as to current Albany High students wishing to change academies for next school year. Students need to submit a lottery application to increase their chances of entering the academy of their choice.
The lottery will include caps to help balance enrollment across the four academies. For each academy, the lottery will randomly select 175 students who listed that academy as their first choice on the application. Remaining seats available in that academy then will be randomly filled with students who selected it as their second, third or fourth choice.
Important upcoming dates
- Monday, Oct. 16-Tuesday, Oct. 17 -- Academy principals will visit each middle school to discuss each academy's unique offerings
- Starting Wednesday, Oct. 18 -- MIddle school guidance counselors will begin meeting with eighth-graders in each of the district's three middle schools
- Wednesday, Oct. 18 -- Academy Information Night for Eighth-grade Families -- Albany High School, 6 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 13 -- Lottery application deadline
- Thursday, Dec. 7 – 2018-19 lottery, Albany High School, 10 a.m.
If you would like an application booklet in addition to the version each district eighth-grade student will receive from school, download one here. You also can pick one up at Central Registration, located at 75 Watervliet Ave. Applications will be mailed to Albany families whose children currently attend eighth grade in charter schools, and applications will be mailed to private and parochial schools to share with their eighth-grade students.
Questions about Albany High's academies? Please contact Innovation Academy Principal Julie Barber at 475-6240 or jbarber@albany.k12.ny.us.
Questions about the lottery? Please contact Cora Derocher at 475-6551 or cderocher@albany.k12.ny.us.
The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and prepare all students for college and career, citizenship and life, in partnership with our diverse community. The district serves nearly 9,700 students in 18 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.