Shady Side Academy is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's best private school for pre-k through grade 12. Offering an exceptional coed education with an optional boarding experience for high school students in grades 912.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: (ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Students) 9-12
- Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
- Enrollment: 520 students
- Yearly Tuition (ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Students): $65,500
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $40,900
- 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 278 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
2-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1883
1907
Campus Size
130 acres
125 acres
First Day of School
Fri. Aug 15, 2025
Last Day of School
Mon. May 25, 2026
Student Body
Enrollment
520 students
315 students
% Students of Color
39%
26%
% International Students
5%
21%
% Students ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø
17%
67%
Average SAT Score
1350
(Out of 1600)
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1220 - 1440
-
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Average Class Size
15 students
12
* National Avg. »
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
72%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$80 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Students)
(ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø Students)
$65,500
$68,800
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$40,900
$37,000
Tuition international students
$65,400
$59,000
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø)
(5 Day ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø)
$69,500
$49,624
% Students on Financial Aid
30%
40%
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No
Admissions
Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Director of Admissions
Meredith Colicchie
Bob Grandizio
Bob Grandizio
Application URL
AP / Advanced Courses
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
n/a
18
Courses
AP Computer ScienceCalculus AB
Calculus BCChinese V AP
French V APGerman V AP
Spanish V AP
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
21
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
64
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Academian (Yearbook)Angles
Cancer Awareness ClubChiapas
Chinese ClubChristian Fellowship
Club for Animal Respect and Education (CARE)Dance Club
Democratic Student UnionDiversity Leadership Council
Drama ClubDumbledore's Army
Egerian (Literary Magazine)Environmental Club
French ClubGay-Straight Alliance
Learning Difference Awareness ClubLibrary Ambassadors
Math ClubModel U.N.
Patriot SocietyPhilosophy Club
Piano ClubPolitical Science Club
Portfolio Art ClubPre-Med Club
Quiz Bowl TeamRefugee Relations
Speach and Debate TeamSSA App Club
SSA Makes a DifferenceSSA News
Students Activities BoardVideo Game Club
Volunteering for VeteransWorld Quest
Writing Center
Arts and Music Programs:
Concert ChoirHillman Volunteer Ushers
Intonations (male a cappella)Jazz Ensemble
String OrchestraSymphonic Band
Recreational Athletic Programs:
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
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 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's best private school for pre-k through grade 12. Offering an exceptional coed education with an optional boarding experience for high school students in grades 912.
- Inspired by our mission, Shady Side's driving purpose remains the development of responsible, transformative leaders for the City of Pittsburgh and beyond. This reason for existing was embedded at our inception, as the pioneers of the American steel industry founded a preparatory school designed to ensure next-generation leadership for what they envisioned would become the great, enduring industrial city of the 20th century.
- Would you thrive in a community of curious learners, supportive teammates, and lifelong friends? As a Shady Side Academy boarding student, you can pursue your academic passions, grow as a leader, and conclude your day with a two-minute walk to your home away from home.Choosing Shady Side's boarding program means choosing a world of opportunity. Students describe it as "the best sleepover." Living on campus means you'll immerse yourself in every opportunity, develop independence, and form lifelong connections with peers from around the world. Our boarding program offers a gateway to the full Shady Side experience-academics, athletics, arts, and a community that inspires.
- Shady Side Academy accreditations: National Association of Independent Schools//The Association of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø 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
- School Motto: Fide Semper Vincere (Latin: 'They conquer always who have faith')
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Shady Side Academy cost?
Shady Side Academy's tuition is approximately $65,500 for boarding students and $40,900 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 21 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Esports, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball and Winter Track.
Does Shady Side Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Shady Side Academy offers a summer program. Visit their 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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