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COMMUNITY UPDATE

APRIL 2026

122 seniors join Honor Society

This year, 122 Albany High seniors had the incredible honor of being inducted into the Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society in recognition of their individual academic achievement.

Faculty, friends and loved ones gathered for a beautiful ceremony to celebrate our inductees.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s inductees.

Well done, Falcons!

Escoto-LaVoie named new Arbor Hill principal

Join us in once again congratulating Janet Escoto-La Voie for being appointed principal of Arbor Hill Elementary School!

“Arbor Hill is already a place of strength, commitment and heart,” Escoto-La Voie said. “My role as principal is to build on that success by working alongside our incredible faculty and staff as one team.

She begins her new role after serving as Arbor Hill’s assistant principal since 2017. Tom Verret – currently an administrator in The Greater Amsterdam School District – will join Arbor Hill’s administrative team as the new assistant principal beginning June 1.

Jamil Hood to coach boys' basketball

Join us in welcoming Jamil Hood Sr. as our new Falcon boys’ basketball coach!

A 1991 Albany High grad and highly regarded local coach and mentor, Hood is poised to lead his alma mater back to prominence on the basketball court.

“I am humbled and thrilled for this incredible opportunity,” Hood said. “I remember watching Albany High’s great teams in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when I was in school, and how exciting and uniting that was for this whole community. We will be focused on restoring that pride and preparing Albany High’s young men for success in every aspect of their lives – in the classroom, on the court and for their future.”

Falcons meet with community leaders

At the Serve Albany Brunch on April 16, student leaders from Albany High invited dozens of community leaders to participate in important conversations focused on the topic of providing centralized support in times of crisis for City of Albany residents.

Our Falcons curated thought-provoking questions and the dialogue that took place gave community leaders the opportunity to take detailed notes on the unique perspectives and creative ideas our youth have to offer.

Falcon pride at the Tech Valley Regional

Our Falcons on the FIRST Robotics Team 1493 soared to exciting heights at the Tech Valley Regional April 16-18!

Despite a tough preliminary schedule against top teams, our Falcons stayed competitive and resilient.

Although this was the team’s only official competition of the season, Albany High FIRST Robotics Team 1493 is exploring offseason events to keep building momentum!

Albany High hosts Media Arts Festival

Albany High showcased the inspiring work of student-artists from 16 area schools at the 2026 Capital Region Media Arts Festival!

During the school day, approximately 200 students from Albany High and around the Capital Region gathered for a juried showcase of film, photography, animation and graphic design featuring 150 pieces of artwork and nearly 90 minutes of video.

Students enjoyed an inspirational keynote address from filmmaker Bhawin Suchak, and Senator Pat Fahy and Wayne Bequette presented “The Brendan Fahy Bequette Fund Award” to Falcon filmmaker Ian Roach in memory of their son, Albany High alum and filmmaker Brendan Fahy Bequette.

Matilda Gish shares her story

We could not be prouder of Albany High senior Matilda Gish for sharing her story to bring awareness about neurodiversity with WNYT Channel 13 !

Gish (pictured with Albany High teacher Erin Reeve) spoke openly and authentically about being autistic, sharing both the struggles and joys she has experienced as a student who experiences the world in a different way than many of her neurotypical peers.

“What I want to tell people is that we can be who we want to be,” Gish shared with enthusiasm.

Be sure to check out her story, “” on WNYT Channel 13.

Falcon brass players perform in Romania

Five talented Albany High brass players -- Freddy Lizardo, Caleb Goldstein, Eli Stanwicks, Sidney Blanken and Andrew Fish -- travelled all the way to Romania to perform with the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) Wind Orchestra during spring recess!

Our Falcons, along with approximately 40 other students from Upstate New York, were invited to participate in the prestigious World Association for Symphonic Bands & Ensembles (WASBE) International Wind Band Festival with the Empire State Youth Orchestra (ESYO) Wind Orchestra after sharing samples of their work with director Robert S. Hansbrough, Ph.D.

Bravo, Falcons, on expanding your horizons and sharing your talents with music aficionados from across the world.

Falcons earn postseason recognition

Congratulations to Albany High student-athletes Colin Paulsen, Akarri Gaddy, Noah Bizer and Sincere Allah for receiving postseason recognition for their excellence in winter sports!

NYSERDA's Clean Green Schools Initiative

We’re thrilled to announce that the City School District of Albany has been awarded $10.1 million grant through NYSERDA’s Clean Green Schools Initiative. NYSERDA officials and several elected leaders came to Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science and Technology on April 27 to share the great news.

This significant funding will directly support essential energy efficiency improvements at three of our schools: TOAST, Albany International Academy and Giffen Memorial Elementary School. The grant also will support the district’s share of our proposed $98 million facilities project, which would have no additional impact on taxes if voters approve it on May 19.