Albert Academy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Albert Academy (AA) is a secondary school in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It was founded on 4 October 1904 and named after American missionary Rev. Ira E. Albert. The school's motto is Esse Quam Vederi (Rather To Be Than To Seem). It is situated at Berry Street in Freetown. Among its famous alumni are Sierra Leone's first Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai and Sierra Leone's first president, Siaka Stevens.

The school is famously referred to as Mende Man College reflecting the fact that over the years students from the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone were overrepresented. AA Students' have also been referred to as Okamory Boys due to the area in which the school is located in Freetown. However, the school has students from everywhere in Sierra Leone and it is not restricted to any tribe.

Although the school has a Christian tradition, the United Methodist Church, students from all religious background can attend (a common phenomenon in Sierra Leone). AA is one of the most successful institutions of learning in Sierra Leone. It has alumni associations in the UK, USA and Freetown. The Alumni Associations take a very keen interest in the school's activities/development; they make regular contributions to the school including, for example, giving scholarships and grants to students.