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Student Life


Find your place. Make it Yours.

Life outside the classroom is just as dynamic as what happens inside. Here, you don’t have to choose between the close-knit support of a small school and the unmatched opportunities of a large one—you get both. With nearly twice the enrollment of our largest local peer, Shady Side is an independent school on a scale all its own.

And the best part? Your story here is entirely yours to write.

Are you ready to find your place at SSA?

Every Bulldog is Part of Something Bigger.

A tradition of starting new chapters. 

As fifth- and eighth-grade students shift excitedly in their seats, they look out to a crowd of proud families and feel a swell of pride. Closing Exercises celebrate the accomplishments of graduating students and prepare them to step boldly toward a new chapter in a new division.

Senior School
Student high fiving teacher
Junior School class
Student hugging teacher
Country Day School class
ssa cutout2
Cheerleaders

Strengthening school spirit by coming home.

From the thrill of seeing old friends to the roar of the crowd, Homecoming is a celebration of spirit, camaraderie, and community. Alumni, students, and their families flood the Upper School campus for beloved traditions such as the Shady Stride 5k race, carnival and community tailgate, and football game. As the sun sets, the energy shifts, and alumni gather for class reunions while Senior School students enjoy the Homecoming Dance.

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