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 (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 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, Saturday 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.