Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Shady Side Academy

5.00 (1 review)
423 Fox Chapel Road Pittsburgh PA 15238
Tel: (412) 968-3180
www.shadysideacademy.org

Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 520 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $65,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $40,900
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
Shady Side Academy Photo #1 - Rowe Hall is the Senior School's main academic building residing at the heart of its 130 acre campus which feels like a small college. The campus also includes 2 dormitories, dedicated buildings for the visual and performing arts, an extensive athletic complex and ice rink, and in 2018 the McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation.
Shady Side Academy Photo #2 - On the weekends, boarders are offered a range of activities from trips to the mall to cultural and sporting events that take advantage of our Pittsburgh location. A sample includes kayaking, city tours including the incline, baseball games, plays, movie nights and sampling the local cuisine. Brunch is on campus Saturday and Sunday.
Shady Side Academy Photo #3 - The small size of our boarding program, and the school's Pittsburgh location, are meaningful competitive advantages for students. Creating a Home Away from Home - a family-style environment with a culture of support - drives our student to residential life faculty ratio of 2:1.
Shady Side Academy Photo #4 - The classroom environment is inquiry based and students sit at Harkness tables or in small groups. These settings encourage discussion, debate and collaboration. The average class size is 15 with a student to teacher ratio of 8:1.
Shady Side Academy Photo #5 - 5- and 7-day boarders live in two single gender residence halls. The boarding population is diverse with students coming from different regions and countries and with varied interests and talents. Students have access to the campus facilities after hours and the student leaders, Prefects, plan activities including feeds, holiday events, Tuesday Night Football and Wednesday World Cup.
Shady Side Academy Photo #6 - The campus has a number of outdoor spaces that teachers and students use for class, to study or to just enjoy time with friends.
Shady Side Academy Photo #7 - The Benedum Visual Arts Center offers a range of 2-D and 3-D art electives as well as media arts classes. There are studios for painting, metal and wood working, ceramics, a dark room and an art gallery to display student work. In addition to classes, students come during their free time and boarders have an evening art club.
Shady Side Academy Photo #8 - The Hillman Center for the Performing Arts features a 650 seat theater, a black box theater, numerous rehearsal spaces as well as housing classrooms for the band and choral programs at the Senior School. Each year numerous Shady Side concerts and shows are presented as well as community events through the Hillman Performing Arts Series.
Shady Side Academy Photo #9 - The Senior School fields 30 highly competitive varsity teams in 17 sports for boys and girls. At the lower levels, the emphasis is on being active to encourage healthy choices, and learning the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Athletic facilities include an ice rink, squash courts, a swimming pool, 6 athletic fields, baseball facility, track and tennis courts.
Shady Side Academy Photo #10 - Shady Side Academy has 3 full-time college counselors who work as a team to help all students reach their future goals. They are dedicated to assisting students in finding best fit colleges and universities that will nurture their abilities and undiscovered talents, while allowing them to realize their career aspirations. 100% of students matriculate to college or university annually.
5.00 (1 review)
Tel: (412) 968-3180
423 Fox Chapel Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
www.shadysideacademy.org
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Shady Side Academy Photo #1 - Rowe Hall is the Senior School's main academic building residing at the heart of its 130 acre campus which feels like a small college. The campus also includes 2 dormitories, dedicated buildings for the visual and performing arts, an extensive athletic complex and ice rink, and in 2018 the McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation.
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Shady Side Academy Photo #1 - Rowe Hall is the Senior School's main academic building residing at the heart of its 130 acre campus which feels like a small college. The campus also includes 2 dormitories, dedicated buildings for the visual and performing arts, an extensive athletic complex and ice rink, and in 2018 the McIlroy Center for Science and Innovation.
Shady Side Academy Photo #2 - On the weekends, boarders are offered a range of activities from trips to the mall to cultural and sporting events that take advantage of our Pittsburgh location. A sample includes kayaking, city tours including the incline, baseball games, plays, movie nights and sampling the local cuisine. Brunch is on campus Saturday and Sunday.
Shady Side Academy Photo #3 - The small size of our boarding program, and the school's Pittsburgh location, are meaningful competitive advantages for students. Creating a Home Away from Home - a family-style environment with a culture of support - drives our student to residential life faculty ratio of 2:1.
Shady Side Academy Photo #4 - The classroom environment is inquiry based and students sit at Harkness tables or in small groups. These settings encourage discussion, debate and collaboration. The average class size is 15 with a student to teacher ratio of 8:1.
Shady Side Academy Photo #5 - 5- and 7-day boarders live in two single gender residence halls. The boarding population is diverse with students coming from different regions and countries and with varied interests and talents. Students have access to the campus facilities after hours and the student leaders, Prefects, plan activities including feeds, holiday events, Tuesday Night Football and Wednesday World Cup.
Shady Side Academy Photo #6 - The campus has a number of outdoor spaces that teachers and students use for class, to study or to just enjoy time with friends.
Shady Side Academy Photo #7 - The Benedum Visual Arts Center offers a range of 2-D and 3-D art electives as well as media arts classes. There are studios for painting, metal and wood working, ceramics, a dark room and an art gallery to display student work. In addition to classes, students come during their free time and boarders have an evening art club.
Shady Side Academy Photo #8 - The Hillman Center for the Performing Arts features a 650 seat theater, a black box theater, numerous rehearsal spaces as well as housing classrooms for the band and choral programs at the Senior School. Each year numerous Shady Side concerts and shows are presented as well as community events through the Hillman Performing Arts Series.
Shady Side Academy Photo #9 - The Senior School fields 30 highly competitive varsity teams in 17 sports for boys and girls. At the lower levels, the emphasis is on being active to encourage healthy choices, and learning the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship. Athletic facilities include an ice rink, squash courts, a swimming pool, 6 athletic fields, baseball facility, track and tennis courts.
Shady Side Academy Photo #10 - Shady Side Academy has 3 full-time college counselors who work as a team to help all students reach their future goals. They are dedicated to assisting students in finding best fit colleges and universities that will nurture their abilities and undiscovered talents, while allowing them to realize their career aspirations. 100% of students matriculate to college or university annually.
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 Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 520 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding 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 307 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Faculty Education
High percent faculty with advanced degrees
Offering Breadth
Most extracurriculars offered
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2025 School Data
Shady Side Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12
9-12
Grades Offered (Day)
PK-12
Pre-K-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1883
1909
Campus Size
130 acres
125 acres
School Calendar
View School Calendar
First Day of School
Tue. Aug 25, 2026
School Motto
Fide Semper Vincere (Latin: 'They conquer always who have faith')

Student Body

Enrollment
520 students
300 students
% Students of Color
39%
25%
% International Students
5%
20%
% Students Boarding
17%
70%
Average SAT Score
1350
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1220 - 1440
-
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Casual
Average Class Size
15 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
80%
70%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Yes
Summer Program Details
View Summer Program Details
Accreditations
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Courses
AP Computer ScienceCalculus AB
Calculus BCChinese V AP
French V APGerman V AP
Spanish V AP

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$80 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$65,500
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$40,900
$33,500
Tuition international students
$65,400
$53,975
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$69,500
$44,000
% Students on Financial Aid
30%
40%

Admissions

Application Deadline
Feb. 1 / rolling
Jan. 15
SSAT Required
Yes
Yes
Director of Admissions
Meredith Colicchie
Bob Grandizio
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
17
16
Sports
BaseballBasketball
CheeringCrew
Cross CountryField Hockey
FootballGolf
Ice HockeyLacrosse
SoccerSoftball
SquashSwimming
TennisTrack and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Colors
Blue and Gold
School Mascot
Bulldogs

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
64
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Academian (Yearbook)Angles
Art ClubAstronomy Club
Black Student UnionBoard Game Club
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
Film ClubFinance Club
French ClubGay-Straight Alliance
Jewish Student UnionLatin Club
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
Robotics ClubScience Olympiad
Service LearningSpanish Club
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:
Chamber ChoirConcert Band
Concert ChoirHillman Volunteer Ushers
Intonations (male a cappella)Jazz Ensemble
String OrchestraSymphonic Band
Technical Theater


Recreational Athletic Programs:
Adventure SportsCrew
FitnessIce Hockey
SwimmingYoga

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
View Matriculation Data

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.
  • 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
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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 17 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Crew, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field and Ultimate Frisbee.
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 High percent faculty with advanced degrees, 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

Class of 2019
5.00
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. . .
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Quick Facts (2026)

  • Grades: (Boarding Students) 9-12
  • Grades: (Day Students) PK-12
  • Enrollment: 520 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $65,500
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $40,900
  • Average class size: 15 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 1 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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