Private School

Shady Side Academy

#1 in Best Private High Schools in Pittsburgh Area

grade A+
Overall Grade
Private, Boarding
PK, K-12
PITTSBURGH, PA
Rating 4.34 out of 5 138 reviews

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A+

Overall Niche Grade

How are grades calculated?Data Sources

Academics
grade A+
Diversity
grade A
Teachers
grade A
College Prep
grade A+
Clubs & Activities
grade A+
Sports
grade A

shadysideacademy.org

(412) 968-3000

423 FOX CHAPEL RD
PITTSBURGH, PA 15238

About Shady Side Academy...

Applying

Application Deadline

February 1

Application Fee

$50

Interview Required

Yes

Required/Recommended Tests

ISEE, SSAT, TOEFL

Tuition

Yearly Tuition

$36,950

Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.

Boarding (Tuition + Boarding)

$59,525

Received Financial Aid

20%

Average Financial Aid

$20,397

From Shady Side Academy

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades PK-12, with optional 5- or 7-day boarding 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 students to high achievement in academics, arts, and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life.

With an approach that includes small class sizes, individual attention, and a rigorous curriculum, Shady Side understands that how we educate students equips them to thrive in college and in life. Because "how" widens perspectives, reveals hidden talents, cultivates character, and elevates expectations – at every level and for every child. Because "How" Matters.

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Shady Side Academy Rankings

Niche ranks nearly 100,000 schools and districts based on statistics and millions of opinions from students and parents.

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Academics

Average Graduation Rate

100%

Average SAT

1370

206 responses

Average ACT

85 responses

Niche College Admissions Calculator

Popular Colleges

Niche users from this school are most interested in the following colleges.

grade A
University of Pittsburgh
93 Students
grade A+
Carnegie Mellon University
89 Students
grade A+
University of Pennsylvania
66 Students
grade A
Penn State
63 Students
grade A+
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
49 Students
grade A+
New York University
47 Students
grade A+
Columbia University
46 Students
grade A+
Cornell University
42 Students
grade A+
University of Southern California
42 Students
grade A+
Boston University
39 Students

More About Shady Side Academy Academics

Innovation at Shady Side Academy

The McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation opened in 2018 as the stunning new home of the Senior School Science Department. The building features 10 flexible classroom/lab spaces for physics, biology and chemistry, featuring college-level lab equipment.

Learn More

Culture & Safety

Poll

71%

of students agree that they feel safe at their school. 21 responses

Poll

62%

of students agree that they like their school and feel happy there. 21 responses

Poll

What are your favorite school events or traditions?

Based on 44 responses

Assemblies
25%
CUP Days
14%
Homecoming
14%
Advisory
9%
Sport events
9%
Clipper
7%
Chorus concerts
5%

Boarding

Students Boarding

17%

Boarding Days Per Week

5-day, 7-day

Top Countries

Canada, China, Hong Kong, Viet Nam

International Boarding Students

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Students

Diversity

Based on racial and economic diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.

Students

1,209

84%

of students and parents agree that students at this school are competitive. 25 responses

68%

of students and parents agree that students at this school are creative and artsy. 25 responses

88%

of students and parents agree that students at this school are athletic. 25 responses

Preschool

Annual Cost

$18,650

Cost is for the most complete schedule offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.

Starting Age

3 years

Pre-K Student-Teacher Ratio

7:1

Website

shadysideacademy.org/schools/junior-school

Offers Full Week
Yes
Offers Part Week
Yes
Offers Full Day
Yes
Offers Part Day
Yes

Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

9:1

National

17:1

Poll

88%

of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. 26 responses

Poll

85%

of students and parents agree that the teachers genuinely care about the students. 26 responses

Poll

85%

of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. 26 responses

Map

Homes For Sale

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Clubs & Activities

A+

Based on student and parent reviews of clubs and activities.

Girls Athletic Participation

Very High

Boys Athletic Participation

Very High

94%

of students and parents agree that there are plenty of clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. 16 responses

50%

of students and parents agree that clubs and organizations get the funding they need. 16 responses

75%

of students and parents agree that lots of students participate in clubs and organizations. 16 responses

Shady Side Academy Reviews

138 reviews

If considering SSA, also consider spending your money on a good prep school such as Exeter, Andover or Lawrenceville. This school is overpriced, insular and the administration and teachers work there only to advance their own children. The education and environment is not worth $36k. The exposure to top schools is nonexistent. Very limited experience for the money most of which goes to fund the cost of the staff and teacher children who attend. The money is not used to improve the facilities or education. Sad place.

Review Shady Side Academy

Student body largely prestigious and limited. Very few numbers of AP courses provided and the course syllabus is not adequate for most colleges during the application process. College counseling office provide limited to no help at all. No weighted GPA and grades cannot reflect student abilities. Money spent on unnecessary place. Fees and tuitions rise every single year by a lot. Don’t come here.

Transferring to Shady Side Academy as a junior was the best decision I could have made for myself and my education. The teachers genuinely care for their students and go above and beyond for them, making the rigorous academics manageable. Curriculum and academic programs are unique and beyond compare. Outside of academics, the focus is mainly on the school's highly successful athletic teams. However, the arts department is also incredible and gets highlighted often (much deserved). The administration is admirable, especially the school's president. They are transparent, communicative, and respectful with families and students. It is clear that the president and administrative faculty genuinely care about students' and their facultys' experience at the school. Students can be cliquey and it can sometimes be hard to find your people (transferring as a junior can contribute to this problem), but it is still a strong community where all students are welcome and involved.

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About

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Tuition

Upcoming Events

Shady Side Academy Rankings

YouTube Video

Academics

Popular Colleges

Innovation at Shady Side Academy

Culture & Safety

Boarding

Students

Preschool

Teachers

Map

Home Listings

Clubs & Activities

Shady Side Academy Reviews

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