Shady Side Academy
The Senior School (grades 9-12, optional five- and seven- day boarding program available) offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum driven by a traditional liberal arts philosophy, where students begin to make curricular choices as early as their freshman year. A great range of opportunities exists for students to discover their talents and experience success. The program is comprehensive and allows students to learn through a variety of experiences while working closely with peers and faculty members in the classroom, art studio, playing field and even the dining hall. Every experience contributes to the learning and development of students. 100% of Shady Side Academy seniors matriculate to highly respected colleges and universities supported by the efforts of three full-time college counselors.
Alumni Reviews Review School
- Review Description
- University of California -- San Diego At SSA, sports are required and there is a designated club period between the end of school and when most sports begin. I think this provides a lot of motivation for students to be involved. . .
Top Rankings
All Schools Similar Size Schools
Shady Side Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 303 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Faculty Education High percent faculty with advanced degrees
- Offering Breadth Most extracurriculars offered
- Student Test Scores High average SAT scores
| Definition of Terms | 2021 School Data | Shady Side Academy | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 9-12 | 9-12 |
| School Type | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1883 | 1907 |
| Campus Size | 130 acres | 125 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 474 students | 300 students |
| % Students of Color | 31% | 25% |
| % International Students | 5% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 17% | 70% |
| Average SAT Score | 1350 | * National Avg. »View |
| SAT range (25th-75th percentile) | 1220 - 1440 | - |
| Average ACT score | 29 | *National Avg. » View |
| Offers Post-Grad Year | No | No |
Academics and Faculty
| Saturday Classes | No | No |
| Classroom Dress Code | Casual | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 15 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 8:1 | 7:1 |
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 7 | 18 |
| ESL Courses Offered | No | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 90% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | Yes | Yes |
| Summer Program Details | Link to Summer Program Details | |
Tuition Cost
| Endowment Size | $60 million | $25 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $56,495 | $59,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $32,995 | $33,500 |
| Tuition international students | $53,975 | $54,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (5 Day Boarding) | $47,995 | $44,100 |
| % Students on Financial Aid | 33% | 40% |
| Avg. Financial Aid Grant | $17,400 | $25,000 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | Yes | No |
Acceptance Rate
| Application Deadline | Feb. 1 / rolling | Jan. 15 |
| SSAT Required | Yes | Yes |
| Director of Admissions | Meredith Colicchie Bob Grandizio | |
Course Listings
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
AP / Advanced Courses
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 7 | 18 |
| Courses | AP Computer Science, Calculus AB , Calculus BC, Chinese V AP, French V AP, German V AP, Spanish V AP | |
Sports
| # Interscholastic Sports Offered | 18 | 16 |
| Sports | Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Crew, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee | |
Extracurriculars
| Total Extracurricular Organizations | 64 | 23 |
| Extracurriculars | Club or Organization: Academian (Yearbook), Angles, Art Club, Astronomy Club, Black Student Union, Board Game Club, Cancer Awareness Club, Chiapas, Chinese Club, Christian Fellowship, Club for Animal Respect and Education (CARE), Dance Club, Democratic Student Union, Diversity Leadership Council, Drama Club, Dumbledore's Army, Egerian (Literary Magazine), Environmental Club, Film Club, Finance Club, French Club, Gay-Straight Alliance, Jewish Student Union, Latin Club, Learning Difference Awareness Club, Library Ambassadors, Math Club, Model U.N., Patriot Society, Philosophy Club, Piano Club, Political Science Club, Portfolio Art Club, Pre-Med Club, Quiz Bowl Team, Refugee Relations, Robotics Club, Science Olympiad, Service Learning, Spanish Club, Speach and Debate Team, SSA App Club, SSA Makes a Difference, SSA News, Students Activities Board, Video Game Club, Volunteering for Veterans, World Quest, Writing Center Arts and Music Programs: Chamber Choir, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Hillman Volunteer Ushers, Intonations (male a cappella), Jazz Ensemble, String Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Technical Theater Recreational Athletic Programs: Adventure Sports, Crew, Fitness, Ice Hockey, Swimming, Yoga | |
College Matriculation
| Year: 2014 - 2017 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled) | |
| University of Pittsburgh | 32 | |
| Pennsylvania State University | 19 | |
| University of Pennsylvania | 15 | |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 13 | |
| Washington University of St. Louis | 12 | |
| Bucknell University | 11 | |
| George Washington University | 11 | |
| Elon University | 10 | |
| New York University | 10 | |
| Georgetown University | 8 | |
| Link to Matriculation Data | ||
School Notes
- Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades PK-12, with an optional boarding experience in high school. Four age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts, and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life.
- Shady Side offers two options for an enriching boarding experience. Five-day boarding allows those who live close by to spend time with family on weekends. Seven-day boarding is great for students who live beyond commuting distance and want to open themselves to further opportunities through weekend cultural, educational and service activities that take advantage of our campus and the city of Pittsburgh.
- At Shady Side, there is a balanced approach to education with a commitment to students' academic, physical and emotional development. Putting that approach into action is a caring faculty and staff dedicated to fostering a true love of learning. Small class sizes encourage a strong sense of community and Shady Side`s academic program provides a challenging yet nurturing atmosphere in which learning occurs at the highest levels.
- The broad academic program exists in an atmosphere that encourages inquiry, questioning, self-determination, and creativity. Arts and athletics are an integral part of the curriculum. Music, visual and performing arts are intertwined at all levels of learning, and students are encouraged to explore an array of athletic options to find the sport or activity best for them. Extracurricular activities and clubs support students` diverse interests.
- Faculty members are leaders in their respective fields. Seventy-one percent hold advanced degrees, and they participate regularly in professional development activities. They believe in a traditional approach to learning while developing creative curricula and determining how to best meet the needs of individual students. Senior School students (grades 9 - 12) refine critical thinking, writing and analytical skills that distinguish them in the college search, while three full-time college counselors help them prepare for the next stage of their academic careers. The Academy enjoys a 100 percent college matriculation rate.
- Shady Side Academy accreditations: National Association of Independent Schools//The Association of Boarding School
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- David McCullough '51 - Pulitzer Prize winning author
- Bentley Weiner '92 - VP and Senior Producer, HBO Sports
- Christian Borle '91 - Broadway actor, Tony Award recipient
- Courtney Hershey Bress '92 - Principal Harpist, Colorado Symphony Orchestra
- Jonathan Zittrain '87 - Professor of Law, Harvard University, Former Chair of FCC Open Internet Advisory Committee
- Nia Phillips '08 - Producer Good Morning America, Emmy Award recipient
- Chris Meyer '84 - Research Zoologist, Smithsonian Institute
- Marisa Muscari '01 - Senior Manager, Activision
- Peter Ackerman '88 - Actor, writer, producer. Ice Age films and the Amazon series, The Americans
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