Shady Side Academy Junior School (Top Ranked Private School for 2025)

400 S Braddock
Pittsburgh, PA 15221

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #1 - Shady Side Academy has four campuses. The Junior School, located in Point Breeze, begins at PK and goes up to the fifth grade. On this seven-acre campus, our youngest students reside in the newest facility built specifically for their needs. This photo shows PK students tending their garden. Our second PK - 5 campus is located in Fox Chapel.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #2 - A one-to-one iPad program in fifth grade gives students access to educational apps and the internet for school projects. Grades K - 4 also have access to iPad's through a mobile lab.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #3 - Starting with our youngest students, we instill our Guiding Principles of honesty, kindness, respect, responsibility, and safety. With these values as our roadmap, we are joined in a partnership based upon the individual educational journey of our children. We establish individual goals for our students, ensure that we know the whole child and strive to help students feel safe.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #4 - The Junior School offers small class sizes and two sections per grade which allows for a close student to teacher interaction.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #5 - Writing Workshop offers students in grades K - 5 the chance to be authors of their stories. Teachers conference with students individually to help move them forward as a writer.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #6 - Shady Side Academy was one of the first schools in Pittsburgh to implement a Singapore Math curriculum, called Math in Focus. This innovative approach to teaching math focuses on problem-solving, deep understanding and the use of model drawing to drive the acquisition and application of mathematical skills.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #7 - The 4th grade financial literacy program offers students the chance to be entrepreneurs. This year-long project brings together creative thinking, math, planning, budgeting and communications skills as students develop a business and market their product to the Junior School community.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #8 - Across all four campuses, students at Shady Side can work in our campus gardens, help with the chickens and use our beautiful outdoor spaces as an extension to the classroom. Featured here with Junior School students is our chicken, Snicker, and Gianna Fazioli, Director of SSA Farms.

Shady Side Academy Junior School Photo #9 - The school day runs from 8:15 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. The After-School Explorers program runs until 6:00 pm daily and offers classes, study and play time for students. A before-school program is also offered where students can be dropped off as early as 7:30 a.m.

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.

Quick Stats (2025)

Top Ranked PA School
Grades: Prekindergarten-5
Enrollment: 322 students
Yearly Tuition: $26,350
Acceptance rate: 39%
Average class size: 15 students
Application Deadline: Dec. 16
Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Shady Side Academy Junior School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for:

School Overview

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS)
Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades Prekindergarten-5

Year Founded

1883

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

First Day of School

Mon. Sep 1, 2025

Last Day of School

Mon. May 25, 2026

Campus Size

189

Student Body

Total Students

322 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

33%

State avg.: 27%

Students by Grade

Shady Side Academy Junior School Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

21 teachers

Student : Teacher Ratio

15:1

National avg.: 13:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

44%

Average Class Size

15 students

Number of AP Courses

30 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Singapore Math, Writing Workshop

Average SAT score

1330

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Common Dress Code

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Dec. 16

Yearly Tuition Cost

$26,350

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

The above tuition is for grades 1-5. Pre-Kindergarten tuition is $18,650 for full days and other schedules are available. Kindergarten tuition is $21,475.

% on Financial Aid

30%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$14,000

Acceptance Rate

39%

National avg.: 81%

Admissions Director

Maggie Marquette

Admissions Associate

Joyce Greece

Endowment Size

$60 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

1 sport

Sports

Cross Country

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

1 extracurricular

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:
After School Explorers

School Notes

Shady Side Academy has two elementary school campuses. At the Junior School (grades PK-5), our 7-acre campus in Point Breeze, students are offered a nurturing and strong academic program integrating broad themes to help children make meaningful connections between subject areas. Using this interdisciplinary approach enhances students' creativity and comprehension while developing a strong set of core skills to prepare them to excel in the years to come. Supportive faculty create a learning environment that fosters safe, challenging and joyful elementary classrooms. Our second campus, Country Day School, is located in Fox Chapel.

Source: Verified school update

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Shady Side Academy Junior School cost?

Shady Side Academy Junior School's tuition is approximately $26,350 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of Shady Side Academy Junior School?

The acceptance rate of Shady Side Academy Junior School is 39%, which is lower than the national average of 81%. Shady Side Academy Junior School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Pennsylvania with low acceptance rates.

Does Shady Side Academy Junior School offer a summer program?

Yes, Shady Side Academy Junior School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Shady Side Academy Junior School offer?

Shady Side Academy Junior School offers 1 interscholastic sports: Cross Country.

What is Shady Side Academy Junior School's ranking?

Shady Side Academy Junior School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Pennsylvania for: Highest average SAT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for Shady Side Academy Junior School?

The application deadline for Shady Side Academy Junior School is Dec. 16.

In what neighborhood is Shady Side Academy Junior School located?

Shady Side Academy Junior School is located in the Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA. There are 2 other private schools located in Point Breeze.

School Reviews

Endorse Shady Side Academy Junior School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Academic or athletic awards

Recent Articles

June 05, 2025

Podcasts That Will Change the Way You Think About Education

This article highlights a curated selection of podcasts that offer thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and innovative ideas on various aspects of education. From exploring new teaching methods and technologies to discussing policy changes and social issues, these podcasts provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for anyone interested in education. Each podcast is briefly described, highlighting its unique focus and tone.

June 04, 2025

For-profit vs. Not-for-profit Schools

This comprehensive guide explores the differences between for-profit and not-for-profit private schools, discussing their organizational structures, advantages, and key considerations for parents. It emphasizes that a school's success is determined by its educational quality and management rather than its profit status.

June 03, 2025

2023-24 Best SSAT Prep Courses Reviewed

This article reviews the top SSAT prep courses, including Test Innovators, Enrollment Management Association (EMA), Princeton Review, Ivy Global, and Kaplan. Each course is evaluated based on its price, in-person and online services, officially licensed materials, instant normative scoring, and free trial options. We'll dive into the features and benefits of each course, helping you understand which one best fits your student's needs and learning style.