In 1904, the United Brethren Church (UBC), headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, USA, founded the Albert Academy (AA), in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa. The Academy was named after the late Rev. Ira Albert, an American missionary working in Shenge, however, he tragically drowned at the Bumpeh River. In his memory, a donation of 8,000 US dollars was used to found the school.
The Albert Academy began in a single family residential home at East Street, Freetown, with enrollment at 5 students, served by 1 teacher, a principal and a janitor. Today, the Albert Academy is located on five acres at Berry Street, on the foothills of Mount Aureol, and presently, educates over 2600 students, who are served by 96 teachers and 12 supporting staff.

The AA draws students from all parts of Sierra Leone and has educated scores of Sierra Leoneans, who now work in the US, Canada, Europe and in Sierra Leone. The alumni associations in the U.S,  U.K  and Freetown fund the advancement of the education of students by providing support for the work of the teachers and staff and engaging in infrastructural developments.

At present, the principals, Mr. Morie John Aruna is head of the Senior School, while Mr. Fred Coker is in-charge of the Junior School. They serve as administrative and curriculum leaders of their respective schools and are answerable to the Board of Trustees and the Ministry of Education.

The UBC, now the UMC Conference, Sierra Leone, is under the spiritual and administrative leadership of the Right Rev. Bishop Dr. John Yambasu, who serves as chairman of the School Board.

School Motto

The motto of the Academy, Esse Quam Videri (rather to be than to seem), instill in teachers and students, the love of God in the pursuit of knowledge, to be employed in the service and betterment of others and most especially, our country, Sierra Leone.