Apply
We're thrilled that you have decided to take the first step toward applying to Shady Side Academy! Beginning in mid-September, the admissions portal will be open for application to the fall of 2021, and you can use the checklists below as a guide to the steps and deadlines.
Application Process
Shady Side Academy has partnered with an admissions database called Veracross to offer families an easy-to-use, web-based application process. Families manage the entire process online through Veracross including completing the admissions application, signing up for events and interviews, requesting teacher recommendations and transcripts, and, for applicants to grades 6-12, completing the student questionnaire.
Inquire and start your Veracross account here. Be sure to create your account using your preferred email address, as all admissions communications will be sent to this address.
Questions?
For questions regarding any part of the admissions process, please don't hesitate to contact a member of the SSA admissions team. We're here to help!
Application Checklists
- Country Day School
- Junior School
- Middle School
- Senior School - Day & Domestic Boarding
- Senior School - International Boarding
Country Day School
APPLICANTS FOR GRADES PK-5
The complete list of steps for an applicant to apply to Shady Side Academy can be accessed in our admissions portal, Veracross. It includes a parent questionnaire, parent interview, applicant testing/screening, transcript (grades 1-5) and teacher recommendation. For questions, please call Josh Frechette, interim director of admission, at 412-963-1277.
Application Deadlines
- Grades PK/K: Friday, Jan. 1
- Grades 1-5: Friday, Jan. 15
Recommended Steps
1. Start your account in our admissions portal, Veracross. This is where parents will find the complete list of application steps.
2. Schedule the parent interview with Josh Frechette, interim director of admission, in your Veracross portal. All interviews will be conducted on-line through Zoom or Skype.
3. Explore our Visit Options, which include Saturday campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through your Veracross Admissions Portal account.
Weekday campus tours may be available starting the end of September. These can be arranged by calling the admissions office.
4. Complete the Parent Questionnaire by Monday, Dec. 14. If you inquire after this date, submit your questionnaire as soon as possible. The application fee is $50.
5. Request a teacher recommendation after Nov. 14 through Veracross by providing the current teacher’s email address. Veracross will email the teacher instructions to complete and submit the recommendation form online. You will receive a real-time update in your Veracross account when the form has been submitted.
6. Request Transcripts (Grades 1-5 only) after Nov. 14 by downloading the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submitting it to your child's school allowing the school to send your child's transcript to SSA.
7. Schedule a Readiness Evaluation/Admissions Testing by calling the Country Day School’s admissions office. Procedures and safety protocols will be explained during the registration process.
- Applicants for grades PK – 4th will participate in an individual readiness evaluation in person if possible, or through Zoom.
- For PK and K, group readiness activities will take place in January if possible, or we will provide at home activities for a parent and child to do together.
- Applicants for grades 3-4 will take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) at the Country Day School. The ISEE code is 393620. If this is not possible, we will send an assessment to the home which the child can complete while on Zoom.
- Applicants for 5th grade have four test options when registering for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Country Day School's ISEE code is 393620.
- At a Prometrics testing site
- At home through ISEE’s Proproctor feature
- On our small group testing days on Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Friday, Nov. 20. Please call Vanessa Cannon at 412-968-3180 for more information.
- On our large group testing days: Saturday, Dec. 12, or Saturday, Jan. 30 (groups will be divided into small cohorts keeping safety in mind)
Junior School
Applicants for Grades PK-5
The complete list of steps for an applicant to apply to Shady Side Academy can be accessed in our admissions portal, Veracross. It includes a parent questionnaire, parent interview, applicant testing/screening, transcript (grades 1-5) and teacher recommendation. For questions, please call Joyce Greece, admissions assistant, at 412-473-4437.
Application Deadlines
- Grades PK/K: Friday, Jan. 1
- Grades 1-5: Friday, Jan. 15
Recommended Steps
1. Start your account in our admissions portal, Veracross. This is where parents will find the complete list of application steps.
2. Schedule the parent interview with Maggie Marquette, director of admission, in your Veracross portal. All interviews will be conducted on-line through Zoom or Skype.
3. Explore our Visit Options, which include Saturday campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through your Veracross Admissions Portal account.
Weekday campus tours may be available starting the end of September. These can be arranged by calling the admissions office.
4. Complete the Parent Questionnaire by Monday, Dec. 14. If you inquire after this date, submit your questionnaire as soon as possible. The application fee is $50.
5. Request a teacher recommendation after Nov. 14 through Veracross by providing the teacher’s email address. Veracross will email the teacher instructions to complete and submit the recommendation form online. You will receive a real-time update in your Veracross account when the form has been submitted.
6. Request Transcripts (Grades 1-5 only) after Nov. 14 by downloading the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submitting it to your child's school allowing the school to send your child's transcript to SSA.
7. Schedule a Readiness Evaluation/Admissions Testing by calling the Junior School’s admissions office. Procedures and safety protocols will be explained during the registration process.
- Applicants for grades PK – 4th will participate in an individual readiness evaluation in person, if possible, or through Zoom.
- For PK and K, group readiness activities will take place in January if possible, or we will provide at home activities for a parent and child to do together.
- Applicants for grades 3-4 will take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) at the Junior School. The ISEE code is 393903. If this is not possible, we will send an assessment to the home which the child can complete while on Zoom.
- Applicants for 5th grade have four test options when registering for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Junior School's ISEE code is 393903.
- At a Prometrics testing site
- At home through ISEE’s Proproctor feature
- On our small group testing days on Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Friday, Nov. 20. Please call Vanessa Cannon at 412-968-3180 for more information.
- On our large group testing days: Saturday, Dec. 12, or Saturday, Jan. 30 (groups will be divided into small cohorts keeping safety in mind)
Middle School
Applicants for Grades 6-8
The complete list of steps for an applicant to apply to Shady Side Academy can be accessed in our admissions portal, Veracross. It includes a parent questionnaire, student questionnaire and essay, student and parent interview, admissions testing, transcript and two teacher recommendations. For questions, please call Becci Carter, admissions assistant, at 412-968-3164.
Application Deadline
Monday, Feb. 1
Recommended Steps
1. Start your account in our admissions portal, Veracross. This is where parents will find the complete list of application steps.
2. Schedule the student and parent interview with Jeff Gross, director of admission, in your Veracross portal. All interviews will be conducted on-line through Zoom or Skype.
3. Explore our Visit Options, which include Saturday campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through your Veracross Admissions Portal account.
Weekday campus tours may be available starting the end of September. These can be arranged by calling the admissions office.
4. Complete the Parent Questionnaire by Monday, Dec. 14. If you inquire after this date, submit your questionnaire as soon as possible. The application fee is $50.
5. Request math and English teacher recommendations after Nov. 14 through Veracross by providing the current teacher’s email address. Veracross will email the teacher instructions to complete and submit the recommendation form online. You will receive a real-time update in your Veracross account when the form has been submitted.
We recommend initiating this step after the second quarter, which is usually early January, or after the first trimester, which is usually late November so that your child's teacher has worked with them a few months prior to providing us feedback.
6. Request Transcripts after Nov. 14 by downloading the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submitting it to your child's school allowing the school to send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.
Please submit this form to your child's school after the completion of their school's first term or semester.
7. Register for Admission Testing:
Students can choose to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Please call the admissions office to discuss the options and choose which option is best for your child.
- There are four ways to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Middle School's code is 393902.
- At a Prometrics testing site
- At home through ISEE’s Proproctor feature
- On our small group testing days on Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Friday, Nov. 20. Please call Vanessa Cannon at 412-968-3180 for more information.
- On our large group testing days: Saturday, Dec. 12, or Saturday, Jan. 30 (groups will be divided into small cohorts keeping safety in mind)
- There are two ways to take the SSAT. The Middle School's code is 7307.
- At a Prometrics testing site
- SSAT at Home
8. Complete the Student Questionnaire and Essay online in Veracross. This can be submitted any time prior to the Feb. 1 application deadline.
Senior School - Day & Domestic Boarding
Applicants for Grades 9-12
For day and domestic boarding applicants:
The complete list of steps for an applicant to apply to Shady Side Academy can be accessed in our admissions portal, Veracross. It includes a parent questionnaire, student questionnaire and essay, student and parent interview, admissions testing, transcript and two teacher recommendations. For questions, please call Vanessa Cannon, admissions assistant, at 412-968-3180.
Application Deadline
Monday, Feb. 1
Recommended Steps
1. Schedule the student and parent interview with the director of admission, in your Veracross portal. The Senior School directors are Bob Grandizio and Meredith Colicchie. All interviews will be conducted on-line through Zoom or Skype.
2. Explore our Visit Options, which include Saturday campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through your Veracross Admissions Portal account.
Weekday campus tours may be available starting the end of September. These can be arranged by calling the admissions office.
3. Complete the Parent Questionnaire by Monday, Dec. 14. If you inquire after this date, submit your questionnaire as soon as possible. The application fee is $50.
4. Request a math and English teacher recommendations after Nov. 14 through Veracross by providing the current teacher’s email address. Veracross will email the teacher instructions to complete and submit the recommendation form online. You will receive a real-time update in your Veracross account when the form has been submitted.
We recommend initiating this step after the second quarter, which is usually early January, or after the first trimester, which is usually late November so that your child's teacher has worked with them a few months prior to providing us feedback.
5. Request Transcripts after Nov. 14 by downloading the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submitting it to your child's school allowing the school to send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.
Please submit this form to your child's school after the completion of their school's first term or semester.
6. Register for Admission Testing:
Students can choose to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). Please call the admissions office to discuss the options and choose which option is best for your child.
- There are four ways to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Senior School's code is 393901.
- At a Prometrics testing site
- At home through ISEE’s Proproctor feature
- On our small group testing days on Wednesday, Oct. 14 or Friday, Nov. 20. Please call Vanessa Cannon at 412-968-3180 for more information.
- On our large group testing days: Saturday, Dec. 12, or Saturday, Jan. 30 (groups will be divided into small cohorts keeping safety in mind)
- There are two ways to take the SSAT. The Senior School's code is 7307.
- At a Prometrics testing site
- SSAT at Home
7. Complete the Student Questionnaire and Essay online in Veracross. This can be submitted any time prior to the Feb. 1 application deadline.
8. Submit a Student Writing Sample (Grades 11-12 Only)
For applicants to grades 11-12 only, an additional graded analytical writing sample is required from an English or history class this current academic year.
Option for boarding applicants: Shady Side Academy also accepts the Standard Application Online (SAO) and our school code is 7307. To learn more about using the SAO and begin your application, click here. For students using this option, steps 4-9 above will be completed through the SAO.
Senior School - International Boarding
Applicants for Grades 9-12
For International Boarding Applicants
Shady Side Academy welcomes interest from international families. Our
rigorous academic program and seven-day residential option attracts talented students from around the world. For all appointments, please call Vanessa Cannon, admissions assistant, at 011-412-968-3180.
Application Deadline
Monday, Feb. 1
Applicants From China
Shady Side Academy has an agreement with the China-US Leading Schools Association (CULSA). All applicants from China who require an F1 Visa should contact CULSA to begin the application process for Shady Side Academy. Please email CULSA or visit CULSA’s website at www.aligneducation.com.
All Other International Applicants
1. Submit the Applicant's TOEFL Score
The Senior School Admissions Office MUST receive an applicant's TOEFL score prior to beginning the application process. A score of 100 or above (or equivalent performance on the iELTS) must be submitted before any other step in the admissions process is initiated for any student for whom English is a second language. Scores must come directly from ETS. Our school code is 7706. Upon receipt, SSA will contact the family to discuss the scores and whether the applicant should proceed with the process below.
2. Schedule the student and parent interview with the Meredith Colicchie, director of admission, in your Veracross portal. All interviews will be conducted on-line with Zoom or Skype and will be limited to students who meet TOEFL requirements.
3. Explore our Visit Options, which include Saturday campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through your Veracross Admissions Portal account.
Weekday campus tours may be available starting the end of September. These can be arranged by calling the admissions office.
4. Complete the Parent Questionnaire by Monday, Dec. 14. If you inquire after this date, submit your questionnaire as soon as possible. The application fee is $100.
5. Request a math and English teacher recommendations after Nov. 14 through Veracross by providing the current teacher’s email address. Veracross will email the teacher instructions to complete and submit the recommendation form online. You will receive a real-time update in your Veracross account when the form has been submitted.
We recommend initiating this step after the second quarter, which is usually early January, or after the first trimester, which is usually late November so that your child's teacher has worked with them a few months prior to providing us feedback.
6. Request Transcripts after Nov. 14 by downloading the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submitting it to your child's school allowing the school to send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.
Please submit this form to your child's school after the completion of their school's first term or semester.
7. Complete Admissions Testing: In addition to an English proficiency test, applicants are required to take either the SSAT or ISEE. Shady Side Academy must receive the test scores directly from SSAT or ISEE (including the essay). The Shady Side Academy testing code for the SSAT is 7307 and for the ISEE is 393901.
8. Complete the Student Questionnaire and Essay online in Veracross. This can be submitted any time prior to the Feb. 1 application deadline.
9. Submit a Student Writing Sample (Grades 11-12 Only)
For applicants to grades 11-12 only, an additional graded analytical writing sample is required from an English or history class this current academic year.
Shady Side Academy also accepts the Standard Application Online (SAO) and our school code is 7307. A Veracross account is still necessary for certain steps of the admissions process. To learn more about using the SAO and begin your application, click here. For students using this option, steps 4 – 9 above will be completed through the SAO.
10. Other Application Requirements
Prior to completion of the application process, international applicants must show proof of a valid passport, credit card and mobile phone.
International applicants also must show evidence of sufficient funds to cover all tuition, fees, books and living expenses. Therefore, Shady Side Academy requires completion of a Certification of Finances form and collects all personal and business taxes from the parents or legal guardians of international applicants.
11. After Enrollment
The I-20 will be submitted for the F1 Visa by Shady Side Academy’s admissions office after the applicant has been accepted, the signed enrollment contract has been returned and the tuition deposit has been paid.
PIAA athletic eligibility paperwork and previous school head’s sign-off must be completed and submitted to SSA by the student’s parents over the spring and summer before the student arrives in the U.S.
SSA requires all students to have health insurance. All newly admitted international students will be enrolled in an Academy sponsored health insurance plan offering coverage in the United States. Enrolling international students must show proof of immunizations as directed by the summer Family Information Update process, which has a deadline of Aug. 1.
Shady Side Academy admits qualified applicants of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on these bases in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.