A completed applicant file includes the application, visit/play date, teacher recommendation, testing/screening and transcript (grades 1-5). For all appointments, please call the Junior School admissions office at 412-473-4437.

Recommended Steps

1. Schedule a Campus Tour

Schedule an appointment to meet with Maggie Marquette, director of admission, and to tour campus.

2. Attend an Admissions Open House

3. Complete the Online Application

Please submit the online application through our admissions database, Ravenna. The application fee is $50.

4. 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.

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.

6. Schedule a Visit Day and Register for the Readiness Evaluation/Admissions Testing

Junior Pre-Kindergarten, Senior Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten

• Schedule your child's readiness evaluation and classroom visit. The evaluation can occur on the same day your family tours the school, or on a separate day. Parents wait in the reception area during the evaluation.

Grades 1-5

• All students will visit in the classroom.
• Applicants for grades 1-2 will be evaluated on the visit day.
• Applicants for grades 3-5 will take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). For more information on how to schedule ISEE testing, call Maggie Marquette.

A completed applicant file includes the application, interview and visit, two teacher recommendations (English and math), admissions testing, transcript and student questionnaire.

For all appointments, please call the Middle School admissions office at 412-968-3164.

Recommended Steps

1. Schedule a Campus Tour and Interview

Schedule a personal interview with Jeff Gross, director of admissions, and a campus tour. You can also arrange for your child to spend a day in classes with a current student.

2. Attend an Admissions Open House

3. Complete the Online Application

Please submit the online application through Ravenna. The application fee is $50.

4. Register for Admission Testing

All applicants must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). The Middle School's code is 393902. Please call the admissions office for upcoming testing dates.

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 years as well as the current year.

7. 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 and campus tour, two teacher recommendations (English and math), admissions testing, transcript and student questionnaire. For all appointments, please call the Senior School admissions office at 412-968-3180.

Recommended Steps

1. Schedule a Campus Tour and Interview

Schedule a personal interview and a campus tour with Bob Grandizio '91, director of admission. You can also arrange for your child to spend a day in classes with a current student.

2. Attend an Admissions Open House

3. Complete the Online Application

Please submit the online application through Ravenna. The application fee is $50.

4. Register for Admission Testing

All students must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or the SSAT. The Shady Side Academy ISEE code is 393901 and the SSAT code is 7307. Please call the admissions office for upcoming testing dates.

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 years 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 analytical writing sample is required.

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 the Senior School admissions office at 412-968-3180.

Applicants From China

Shady Side Academy has an exclusive agreement with the China-US Leading Schools Association (CULSA). All applicants from China who require an F1 Visa must 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 the TOEFL organization. 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 through Ravenna. The application fee is $100.

3. Schedule a Personal Interview and Tour

Schedule a personal interview and campus tour with Bob Grandizio '91, director of admission. For applicants who are unable to visit campus, a Skype interview can be arranged by calling 412-968-3080.

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. 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 in handwritten form). The Shady Side Academy testing code for the SSAT is 7307 and for the ISEE is 393901.

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 years as well as the current year.

For applicants to grades 11-12 only, an additional analytical writing sample is required.

8. 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.

9. 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.

Enrolling international students must be members of a health care insurance plan that offers coverage in the United States and must show proof of immunizations as directed by the summer Family Information Update process, which has a deadline of Aug. 1.