Shady Side Academy has once again earned top honors in the Pittsburgh region, securing the number one spot in multiple categories in Niche’s 2027 Best Schools Rankings.

The Academy was ranked #1 Best Private K-12 School and #1 Best Private High School in the Pittsburgh Area, positions Shady Side has held in both categories since 2020. Shady Side also earned the top spot in Allegheny County in both categories. 

Shady Side’s 2027 rankings also reflect the breadth of the Academy’s educational experience, with nine additional #1 distinctions across academics, STEM, and the full pre-kindergarten to grade 12 program. 

The Academy earned four #1 rankings for diversity, placing first among private K–12 schools and private high schools in both the Pittsburgh Area and Allegheny County. Shady Side also leads the region in STEM education, ranking #1 among public and private high schools in the Pittsburgh Area and #1 among public and private high schools in Allegheny County.

Shady Side also maintained an A+ overall Niche grade for the eighth consecutive year, reflecting a sustained record of excellence even as Niche continues to evolve its methodology.

Niche’s ranking considers a range of factors, including college enrollment and outcomes, student and parent feedback, student-teacher ratio, culture and diversity, accreditation, and investment in the student experience. 

Among those measures, 100% of Shady Side seniors enroll in four-year colleges, placing the Academy in the 99.9th national percentile for college enrollment. 

Together, the 2027 rankings reinforce Shady Side Academy’s position as a leader in independent education in Pittsburgh and highlight the strength of an educational experience that prepares students for what comes next.