Shady Side Academy

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 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.

To meet the specific needs of children in various life stages, Shady Side Academy is set on four unique campuses. From the neighborhood setting of the Junior School (PK-5) in the East End to the suburban setting of the Country Day School (PK-5), Middle School (6-8) and Senior School (9-12) in Fox Chapel, students are part of something special. Small class sizes encourage a strong sense of community.

At Shady Side Academy, there is a holistic 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 in students. Our hands-on curriculum explores topics across all disciplines – from the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to the humanities and the arts – with the goal of developing well-rounded individuals ready to excel on whatever path they take in life.

Our 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. Small class sizes encourage a strong sense of community. Technology is integrated throughout PK-12 classrooms.

Arts and athletics are an integral part of the curriculum. Visual and performing arts are intertwined into all levels of learning, and students are encouraged to explore an array of athletic options. Extracurricular clubs and activities support students’ diverse interests, including community service.

Our faculty members are leaders in their respective fields. More than 75 percent of our teachers hold advanced degrees, and they participate in ongoing 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 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. SSA enjoys a 100 percent college matriculation rate. Shady Side Academy’s mission is to challenge students to think expansively, act ethically and lead responsibly.

Shady Side Academy is a vibrant learning community that values intellectual curiosity, personal integrity and diverse perspectives. Through a rigorous and balanced curriculum of academics, arts and athletics, our students are challenged to explore their passions and excel beyond expectations. Supported by active alumni and parents, our unique culture of faculty-student mentorship inspires students to become lifelong learners and engaged, thoughtful citizens of their communities.

Members of the Shady Side Academy community acknowledge and accept five principles that serve as fundamental points of guidance for all adults and students living and working together in the school community: Honesty, Kindness, Responsibility, Respect and Safety. These principles guide our activities and interactions, helping us to measure not only what we attempt but also the spirit in which we do so. While these principles guide our daily interactions, they point to the larger, more encompassing ideals and behaviors of integrity, thoughtfulness and compassion.

One of the oldest independent schools in Western Pennsylvania, Shady Side enrolls more than 1,000 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12 on four unique campuses. Our mission, to challenge students to think expansively, act ethically and lead responsibly, drives our curricular and co-curricular efforts at our schools. The heart and soul of any great school is the teaching faculty, and Shady Side teachers are dedicated to the craft of teaching, passionate about working with children and young adults, and committed to the idea that learning is truly a collaborative endeavor.

In partnership with parents, we strive to build supportive learning communities where students will be adaptive, resourceful, innovative and independent learners. We embrace the differences within our community and know that this diversity adds to the richness and depth of the overall learning experience. We also encourage our students to be risk takers, whether in the classroom, on the playing field or on the stage. We want to nudge students out of their comfort zones in order to expand the number of zones in which they are truly comfortable.

At Shady Side we also place a very strong emphasis on the development of character and instill in students our five Guiding Principles of Honesty, Kindness, Responsibility, Respect and Safety. Legendary SSA athletic director Cap Palmer’s captured this spirit best in an exhortation to his players almost 100 years ago, which still rings true today, whether talking about athletic contests, academic pursuits or life in general: “Honor the game thou playest, for he who playest the game straight and hard wins even when he loses.”

JUNIOR SCHOOL (PK-5)
Address: 400 S. Braddock Avenue, PA
Postal Code: 15221
Phone: +1 412 4734400

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)
Address: 500 Squaw Run Road East, PA
Postal Code: 15238
Phone: +1 412 9683100