Albany High presents gains on Regents and AP participation, cites staffing and assessment changes
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Summary
School leaders reported growth in several Regents subjects (notably geometry up 17 points) and rising AP participation, while flagging challenges in grade‑8 math, new science standards and past staffing vacancies that affected math results.
Albany High School leaders presented an academic report to the Albany Board of Education on April 16, reporting mixed but encouraging results across Regents and AP measures and outlining steps to support students.
Principal Comerford and department supervisors highlighted year‑over‑year progress: global history pass rates rose from 52% to 57%, geometry pass rates rose about 17 points (from 39% to 56%), and algebra 2 is nearly back to pre‑pandemic levels. "We are seeing steady upward trends," a supervisor said when summarizing growth on several Regents exams. At the same time, staff flagged continued attention needed in grade‑8 math and for students performing in the lowest bands.
Administrators noted structural and operational factors affecting results. Science supervisors said New York State’s adoption of new science standards and redesigned exams (life science and earth and space sciences) changed comparability and required new instructional alignment; the life science biology exam’s early administration and required investigations compressed instructional time and depressed results. "Our results are not quite where we want them to be," one supervisor said.
The high school has increased AP participation dramatically — administrators reported AP exam administration rose from roughly 44% in 2019 to about 66% last year — and the district has an AP coordinator and supports intended to expand access for students who have been historically underrepresented in AP courses.
Academic leaders described interventions underway: hiring of AIS (academic intervention services) teachers in math and English, differentiated instruction across departments, MTSS teams and increased presence in common planning time. The math team reported it is fully staffed in algebra for the first time since the pandemic, enabling expanded intervention services.
Board members asked for disaggregated subgroup data and timelines for curriculum review; administrators said curriculum coordinating council meetings and summer review will shape possible changes for next school year.
Sources: Presentations and exchanges during the board’s Grades 9–12 academic report.
