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. To apply, follow these steps:

1. Create an account in Veracross. This is where parents will find the complete list of application steps.

2. Explore our visit options, which include weekday visits, campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through Veracross. 

3. Complete the Family Information section in Veracross. The non-refundable application fee is $50. Waivers are available to those who qualify. Please call 412-473-4402 for information.

4. Request a teacher recommendation 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.

5. Request transcripts (grades 1-5). Download the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submit it to your child's school. This release allows the school to send your child's transcript to SSA.

6. Schedule readiness evaluation/admissions testing in your Veracross Portal and testing will be discussed during the process.

• Applicants for grades PK-4 will participate in an individual readiness evaluation.  
• Applicants for grade 5 have two test options when registering for the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE).  The Junior School's ISEE code is 393903.
  • In person on Shady Side's campus on Dec. 9 or Jan. 27
  • At a Prometrics testing site
  • At home through ISEE’s Proproctor feature

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. To apply, follow these steps:

1. Create an account in Veracross. This is where parents will find the complete list of application steps.

2. Explore our visit options, which include weekday visits, campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through Veracross. 

3. Complete the Family Information section in Veracross. The non-refundable application fee is $50. Waivers are available to those who qualify. Please call 412-968-3155 for information.

4. Schedule the student and parent interview with Kasey Fron, Associate Director of Admissions, Grades 6-12, in your Veracross portal. We are happy to meet with you in-person or via Zoom.

5. Request math and English teacher recommendations 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. Download the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submit it to your child's school. This release allows 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.

7. Register for admission testing. Students can choose to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT).  If you would like to learn more about the options, please call the admissions office at 412-968-3155.

• There are two ways to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Middle School's code is 393902.
  • In person on Shady Side's campus on Dec. 9 or Jan. 27
  • At a Prometrics testing site
  • At home through ISEE’s Proproctor feature
• 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 in Veracross.

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. The steps include 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. To apply, follow these steps:

1. Explore our Visit Options, which include weekday visits, campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through Veracross. 

2. Complete the Family Information section in Veracross. The non-refundable application fee is $50. Waivers are available to those who qualify. Please call 412-968-3180 for information.

3. Schedule the student and parent interview with the director of admission in Veracross. We are happy to meet with you in-person or via Zoom.

4. Request math and English teacher recommendations 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.

5. Request transcripts. Download the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submit it to your child's school. This release allow the school to send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include the previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.

6. Register for admission testing. Students can choose to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the Secondary School Admissions Test (SSAT). If you would like to learn more about the options, please call the admissions office at 412-968-3180.

• There are three ways to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Senior School's code is 393901.
  • In person on Shady Side's campus on Dec. 9 or Jan. 27
  • At a Prometrics testing site
  • ISEE At-Home
• 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 in Veracross. 

8. Submit a student writing sample (grades 11-12). For applicants to grades 11-12, 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 4-8 above will be completed through the SAO.

For International Boarding Applicants

Shady Side Academy welcomes interest from international families. Our rigorous academic program and seven-day residential option attract talented students from around the world. For all appointments, please call Vanessa Cannon, Admissions Assistant, at 011-412-968-3180.

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 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 and school code is 7706. Shady Side also accepts the Duolingo, for which the minimum score is 130.

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 Kasey Fron, Associate Director of Admissions, grades 6-12, in Veracross. Interviews can be conducted in person or Zoom and will be limited to students who meet the TOEFL requirements.

3. Explore our visit options, which include weekday visits, campus tours and Zoom information sessions. Please register for these events through Veracross. 

4. Complete the Family Information section in Veracross. The application fee is $100.

5. Request math and English teacher recommendations 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. Download the Transcript Request Form from Veracross and submit it to your child's school. This release allows the school to send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include the previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.

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 in Veracross. 

9. Submit a student writing sample (grades 11-12). For applicants to grades 11-12, 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 5-9 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 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 with previous principal/school head 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.