A completed applicant file includes the application, teacher recommendation, testing/screening and transcript (grades 1-5).  Have questions?  Please email  Joyce Greece, admissions assistant, at joygreece@shadysideacademy.org.

We are currently filled for the fall in our PK and Kindergarten classes.  If you would like to be considered for the wait pool for these grades, please contact Maggie Marquette at mmarquette@shadysideacademy.org to discuss further.

Recommended Steps

1. Schedule an appointment to meet with Maggie Marquette, director of admission.
While our campuses are currently closed due to the Coronavirus, we are committed to meeting with families and helping them learn about our school.  Virtual meetings over Skype can be scheduled by emailing joygreece@shadysideacademy.org.  

In addition to talking about the school, and answering questions families may have, we will also share plans for student evaluation and testing.

2. Complete the Online Application

Please complete the online application form (submitted by the parent(s)) through Ravenna. The application fee is $50.

3. Request a Teacher Recommendation

Request a teacher recommendation through Ravenna. You can "delegate" a recommendation form by entering the teacher’s email address. Ravenna will email the teacher instructions to complete and submit the recommendation form online. You will receive a real-time update in your Ravenna account when the form has been submitted.

4. Request Transcripts (Grades 1-5 only)

Download the Transcript Request Form from Ravenna and submit it to your child's school to request they send your child's transcript to SSA.

5. Schedule Admissions Testing (Grades 1 - 5 only)

• Please contact the admissions office to discuss testing options.

A completed applicant file includes the application, interview, two teacher recommendations (English and math), admissions testing, transcript and student questionnaire.  Have questions?  Please email Becci Carter, admissions assistant, at bcarter@shadysideacademy.org.

Recommended Steps

1. Schedule an appointment to meet with Jeff Gross, director of admission.
While our campuses are currently closed due to the Coronavirus, we are committed to meeting with families and helping them learn about our school.  Virtual meetings over Skype can be scheduled by emailing jgross@shadysideacademy.org.  

In addition to talking about the school, and answering questions families may have, we will also share plans for student admissions testing.

2. Complete the Online Application

Please complete the online application form (submitted by the parent(s)) through Ravenna. The application fee is $50.

3. Request Teacher Recommendations

Request teacher recommendations through Ravenna. You can "delegate" recommendation forms by entering your child's English and math teachers' email addresses. Ravenna will email the teachers instructions to complete and submit the recommendation forms online. You will receive a real-time update in your Ravenna account when the forms have been submitted.

4. Request Transcripts

Download the Transcript Request Form from Ravenna and submit it to your child's school to request they send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.

5. Complete the Student Questionnaire

Student applicants must complete the online student questionnaire in Ravenna. 

For day and domestic boarding applicants:

A completed applicant file includes the application, interview, two teacher recommendations (English and math), admissions testing, transcript and student questionnaire. Have questions?  Please email Vanessa Cannon, admissions assistant, at vcannon@shadysideacademy.org.

Recommended Steps

1. Schedule an appointment to meet with Bob Grandizio, director of admission.
While our campuses are currently closed due to the Coronavirus, we are committed to meeting with families and helping them learn about our school.  Virtual meetings over Skype can be scheduled by emailing rgrandizio@shadysideacademy.org.  

In addition to talking about the school, and answering questions families may have, we will also share plans for student admissions testing.

2. Complete the Online Application

Please complete the online application form (submitted by the parent(s)) through Ravenna.  The application fee is $50.

3. 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 6 – 9 below will be completed through the SAO.

4. Request Teacher Recommendations

Request teacher recommendations through Ravenna. You can "delegate" recommendation forms by entering your child's English and math teachers' email addresses. Ravenna will email the teachers instructions to complete and submit the recommendation forms online. You will receive a real-time update in your Ravenna account when the forms have been submitted.

5. Request Transcripts

Download the Transcript Request Form from Ravenna and submit it to your child's school to request they send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.

6. Complete the Student Questionnaire

Student applicants must complete the online student questionnaire in Ravenna. 

7. 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.

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. Have questions?  Please email Meredith Colicchie, admissions director for boarding, at mcolicchie@shadysideacademy.org.

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 to begin 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. Complete the Online Application

Please submit the online application form (submitted by the parent(s)) through Ravenna.  The application fee is $100.

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 6 - 9 below will be completed through the SAO.

3. Schedule a Personal Interview

While our campuses are currently closed due to the Coronavirus, we are committed to meeting with families and helping them learn about our school.  Virtual meetings over Skype can be scheduled by emailing mcolicchie@shadysideacademy.org.  

In addition to talking about the school, and answering questions families may have, we will also share plans for student admissions testing.

4.  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.

5. Request Teacher Recommendations

Request teacher recommendations through Ravenna. You can "delegate" recommendation forms by entering your child's English and math teachers' email addresses. Ravenna will email the teachers instructions to complete and submit the recommendation forms online. You will receive a real-time update in your Ravenna account when the forms have been submitted.

6. Request Transcripts

Download the Transcript Request Form from Ravenna and submit it to your child's school to request they send your child's transcript to SSA. The official school transcript must include previous year’s transcript as well as the current year.

7. Complete the Student Questionnaire

Student applicants must complete the online student questionnaire in Ravenna. 

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.

9. 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.

10. 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.