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.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 470 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $59,525
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $36,975
- Average class size: 15 students
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Shady Side Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1883
1906
Campus Size
130 acres
125 acres
Student Body
Enrollment
470 students
315 students
% Students of Color
31%
26%
% International Students
5%
20%
% Students Boarding
17%
70%
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1220 - 1440
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
6
18
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
71%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$60 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$59,525
$66,250
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$36,975
$35,600
Tuition international students
$65,400
$57,650
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
(5 Day Boarding)
$56,375
$49,400
% Students on Financial Aid
33%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$17,400
$25,000
Acceptance Rate
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Director of Admissions
Meredith Colicchie
Bob Grandizio
Bob Grandizio
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
6
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
19
16
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
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
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
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shady Side Academy cost?
Shady Side Academy's tuition is approximately $59,525 for boarding students and $36,975 for day students.
Who are famous alumni from Shady Side Academy?
Shady Side Academy famous alumni include: David McCullough '51, Bentley Weiner '92, Christian Borle '91, Courtney Hershey Bress '92, Jonathan Zittrain '87, Nia Phillips '08, Chris Meyer '84, Marisa Muscari '01 and Peter Ackerman '88.
What sports does Shady Side Academy offer?
Shady Side Academy offers 19 interscholastic 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 and Volleyball.
Does Shady Side Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Shady Side Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Shady Side Academy's ranking?
Shady Side Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Most extracurriculars offered and High average SAT scores.
When is the application deadline for Shady Side Academy?
The application deadline for Shady Side Academy is Feb. 1 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 1 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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. . .
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The nearest boarding school to Shady Side Academy is The Kiski School (22.5 miles away)
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