Mr. Crane is the Director of Upper School and a member of the History Department. He holds an Applied Baccalaureate from Kenyon College and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University. He has been with the Academy since 1991. Mr. Crane served the Academy in the past as the Director of Middle School, as well as spending two years as the Director of Alumni Affairs. Prior to accepting his current position of Director of Upper School, he served as Academic Dean.

Mr. Crane continues to coach Lacrosse and teach Upper School History classes because he values the importance of staying connected with both students and faculty. As a member of the History Department he has taught Advanced Placement European History and United States History, as well as a number of required Middle and Upper School classes and electives. He was also the recipient of two Richard E. Diamond Faculty Enrichment Grants. Mr. Crane has also coordinates the annual Grade 9 London trip since its inception and serves as a Grade 12 advisor.

An independent school graduate, Mr. Crane attended the Nichols School and the Hopkins School. Before joining the Academy faculty, Mr. Crane worked at Lawrence Academy in Groton, Ma and the Gow School in South Wales, NY. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Staten Island Historical Society's Board. He is married to Caroline Stirn Crane '83 and the father of Claire'15 and Charles '22.

Mr. Michael Acquilano is the Assistant Director of Upper School and Director of College Guidance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Hobart College and a Master of Arts in History from Rutgers University. Mr. Acquilano came to the Academy in 1997 as Director of Development. One year later, he added college advising and teaching to his responsibilities. As a member of the History faculty, Mr. Acquilano has taught United States History as well as numerous Upper School elective courses. Also at the Academy, Mr. Acquilano serves as the Girls Junior Varsity Lacrosse Coach.

In 2001, Mr. Acquilano became the full-time Director of College Guidance. He is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling (NYSACAC) and the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS). Mr. Acquilano is a Past President of the New York State Association for College Admission Counseling where he also held the positions of Chief Delegate and Government Relations Co-Chair. He has presented on college counseling and admissions at numerous state and national conferences. Mr. Acquilano is also a member of the Princeton’s Review’s National College Counselor Advisory Board.

Prior to joining the Academy, Mr. Acquilano spent six years at Wagner College, four in the admissions office as Associate Director of Admissions and Assistant Director of Admissions and two in Development. He was an Admission Counselor at Hobart College and is a Past President of the Hobart College Alumni Association. Other outside interests include history-related travel and serving on the Board of Directors of the Conference House Association on Staten Island. Mr. Acquilano and his wife, Giovanna, are the proud parents of three children, all of whom are Academy students, Grace ’18, Kate ’22 and Nicholas '26.

Mrs. Ryan joined the Academy in 2022 as the Upper School Administrative Assistant. She is the mother of two Academy students, and excited to become part of the SIA family. She is responsible for assisting the Upper School Director, faculty, and students from Grade 9 through Grade 12 in Kearns Hall. Additionally, she works closely with Director of College Guidance, Mr. Michael Acquilano, processing college applications, transcripts, and recommendation letters for all of our seniors.