Middle School Programs
Middle school students can reach new heights at SSA Summer programs. Camps, classes and clinics give adolescents the chance to hone individual interests and discover new talents.
Looking to have your child both learn and play this summer? Your child can experience the best of both worlds with Stay & Play! Students enroll in six weeks of Summer School, and when not in class they enjoy the rest of the day at Camp Ren!
Camp Ren (6-9)
Camp Ren
is an innovative summer day camp designed specifically for students entering grades 6-9 on our 35-acre Middle School campus in Fox Chapel.
The Camp Ren staff is devoted to maintaining a developmentally appropriate experience while engaging kids' bodies, minds and spirits through arts, sciences, sports and fun social activities.
2023 Dates & Rates
Location: SSA Middle School, Fox Chapel (100 Benedum Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Ages: Kids entering grades 6-9 in 2023-2024
Times: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Week 1: June 20-23 (closed June 19)
Week 2: June 226-30
Week 3: July 3-7 (closed July 4)
Week 4: July 10-14
Week 5: July 17-21
Week 6: July 24-28
Weekly Session: $450
*After Care: $12 per day, until 6 p.m.
*Before Care: FREE, begins at 7:30 a.m.
Lunch is included.
Limited bus transportation is available with prior enrollment.
*This year, we ask that families utilize before/after care only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum as multiple grades will be in a larger group setting.
Specialty Areas
- Ceramics
- Food Science
- Cooking
- Dance
- Filmmaking/Film Editing
- Forensics
- Geocaching
- Jewelry Making/Glasswork
- Painting
- Robotics
- Rocketry
- Theater
A Typical Day at Camp Ren
- 7:30 a.m. – Before Care
Our early-riser campers gather in the gym for free play and activities. This year, we ask that families utilize before/after care only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum as multiple grades will be in a larger group setting. - 8:45 a.m. – Arrival
The gym begins to fill with sounds of basketball and chatter during car and bus arrival. All grade-level squads will have designated gathering areas to maintain appropriate social distance. - 9 a.m. – Morning Meeting
Our camp director and counselors welcome campers and staff, take attendance and explains the day's schedule. - 9:10 a.m.-12:25 p.m. – Morning Activities
Campers rotate through three activity periods each morning with their squads. From robotics to cooking, there's plenty to do each day! - 12:30 p.m. – Lunch
Each squad will head to its designated campus location to enjoy pre-ordered, individually packaged lunches. Our on-site caterer prepares a delicious and nutritious meal each day, offering vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives. - 1:30-3:45 p.m. – Afternoon Activities
Squads enjoy an additional activity period each afternoon. It's a great time to play sports, work on a ceramic masterpiece or edit a film! - 3:45 p.m. – Afternoon Meeting
Campers and staff gather outside or in the gym to hear the day's highlights and prepare for dismissal. - 4 p.m. – Dismissal
Campers head to cars and buses after a fun and fulfilling day of camp. - 4:15-6 p.m. – After Care
For parents who need a little more time, we offer after care for an additional fee. This year, we ask that families utilize before/after care only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum as multiple grades will be in a larger group setting.
Sports Camps (6-8)
SSA Summer offers several Sports Camps to pique the athletic interests of kids entering grades 6-8. Camps are one week in length and led by an SSA coach, ensuring the programs remain developmentally appropriate.
Each coed camp welcomes boys and girls of all ability levels. From beginners looking to try a sport for the first time, to intermediate players looking to enhance their skills, SSA sports camps provide kids with a fun and exciting opportunity to learn from great coaches and players.
As an added benefit, each of our sports camps includes a swim period, giving everyone a chance to cool off!
2023 Dates & Rates
Location: SSA Senior School, Fox Chapel
(423 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Ages: Varies by program (see below), based on 2023-2024 grade levels
Time: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Boys and Girls Basketball: June 12-16* (grades 2-6)
SSA Coaches Summer Hockey Camp: Aug. 7-11 (grades K-8)
Basketball: $475
Ice Hockey: $550 - must provide own equipment
*After Care: $12 per day, available until 6 p.m.
*Before Care: FREE, beginning at 7:30 a.m.*
Lunch is included.
Limited bus transportation is available with prior enrollment.
*No before or after care June 12-16 , This year, we ask families to utilize before/after care only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum, as multiple grades will be in a larger group setting.
2023 Sports Camps
Boys and Girls Basketball Camp (2-6)
SSA Coaches Summer Hockey Camp (K-8)
August 7-11, grades K-8
SSA is excited to announce its 2023 SSA Coaches Summer Hockey Camp, led by SSA Boys Prep Hockey Coach and former NHL player Eric Tangradi! Joining him are SSA Girls' Prep Hockey Coaches Pam Lloyd and Kate Binnie. We are excited to announce the addition of Stephen Volek to run off-ice instruction. Current SSA hockey coaches and players will serve as counselors.
The camp will be exciting and fun as always but more direct and focused on player development for all ages. Kids will develop their skills through power skating, passing, shooting and positional awareness. Camp will conclude with a skills challenge and scrimmage game on Friday.
To enhance player development, there will be three different age groups. Each grade-level group (K-2, 3-5, 6-8) will receive two on-ice sessions, hockey-specific off-ice sessions, and lunch. Please note that players may be moved based on skill level as evaluated by the coaching staff.
Players must provide their own equipment: helmet with full face mask, should pads, elbow pads, hockey gloves, hockey pants, hockey jock, shin pads, skates and a stick.
STEAM Camps (6-8)
Join Shady Side Academy's own STEAM experts for weeklong camps in the SSA Fab Lab (fabrication lab), located in the state-of-the-art Glimcher Tech & Design Hub on the Senior School campus. SSA Summer instructors will engage kids in hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities!
2023 Dates & Rates
Location: SSA Senior School School, Fox Chapel (423 Fox Chapel Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Ages: Grades 6-8 (based on 2023-2024 grade levels)
Times: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
June 12-16*
- Programming in Minecraft
- Programming in Roblox - Obby Course
- Fun in the Fab Lab
June 20-23
- Programming in Minecraft
- Programming in Roblox - Adventure Games
- Fun in the Fab Lab
July 3-7, off Tuesday July 4
- Programming in Minecraft
- Programming in Roblox - Tycoon Creator
- Fun in the Fab Lab
July 10-14
- Programming in Minecraft
- Programming in Roblox - Obby Course
- Fun in the Fab Lab
July 17-21
- Programming in Minecraft
- Programming in Roblox - Adventurer Games
- Fun in the Fab Lab
Cost: $600 (except Fun in the Fab Lab, $1200)
*After Care: $12 per day, available until 6 p.m.
*Before Care: FREE, beginning at 7:30 a.m.*
Lunch is included.
Limited bus transportation is available only with prior registration..
*No before and after care June 12-16. This year, we ask that families utilize before/after care only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum as multiple grades will be in a larger group setting.
2023 STEAM Camps
SSA Fab Lab Camps (6-8)
- Programming in Minecraft (6-8)
- Programming in Roblox Courses (6-8)
- Fun in the Fab Lab (6-8)
- About the SSA Fab Lab
Programming in Minecraft (6-8)
In this exciting summer session students will learn how to mod Minecraft to create custom swords, armor, tools and creatures that can be used in-game through the CodaKid platform. Utilizing Java and other free software programs, students will be able to share their creations with each other as well as compete in build and design challenges in Minecraft!
Programming in Roblox Courses (6-8)
Roblox Programming Course 1 - Obby Course
Does your child love to play Roblox? Well then join us in the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub for a week of summer fun! Learn video game coding through Roblox Studio and LUA scripting with no experience required. This camp will spark your imagination as you create a series of incredible Obbys (obstacle courses) with various themes and challenges. Create immersive worlds with buildings, terrain, and amazing props. Then collaborate and compete with friends in tournament style races!
Roblox Programming Course 2 - Adventure Games
Does your child love to play Roblox? Well then join us in the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub for a week of summer fun! Learn video game coding through Roblox Studio and LUA scripting with no experience required. This camp will test your creative skills as you create interactive, adventure games and scavenger hunts. Create immersive worlds with buildings, terrain, and amazing props. Then collaborate and compete with friends as you try to solve each other's puzzles!
Roblox Programming Course 3 - Tycoon Creator
Does your child love to play Roblox? Well then join us in the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub for a week of summer fun! Learn video game coding through Roblox Studio and LUA scripting with no experience required. This camp will spark your imagination as you create a Tycoon style gaming experience. Create immersive worlds with buildings, terrain, and amazing props. Then collaborate and compete with friends to see who can complete your Tycoon first!!
Fun in the Fab Lab (6-8)
Our new Fablab camp on rocket fuel! Learn the basics of 2D and 3D Design in this innovative, week long camp dedicated to makers, tinkerers and the curious. 2D design starts with creating projects for our Epilog Laser cutter which teaches the FUNdamentals of digital creation before we move on to 3D design for the 3D printers. Finally, students will explore robotics with the incredible Hummingbird Robotic kits creating their own robot with servos, sensors and LED lights! Best of all, your child will come home with their very own 3D Printer and Hummingbird robotics kit so they can teach YOU everything they learned!
About the SSA Fab Lab
The Glimcher Tech & Design Hub's Fabrication and Robotics Wing houses a fabrication lab (fab lab), workshop, wet lab, robotics arena and more. The fab lab and workshop feature cutting-edge equipment including a Tormach CNC mill, a Forest Scientific CNC router, an Epilog laser cutter, a Roland vinyl cutter, a Roland VersaPrint garment printer, a SawStop table saw and four 3D printers, including a Formlabs 3D resin printer. Learn more about the Glimcher Tech & Design Hub.
Summer School (6-8)
Shady Side Academy offers a variety of Summer School courses to meet the needs and interests of students entering grades 6-8. Literature & Composition and Math classes enrich the academic experience of students through hands-on engagement with subject material and close, working relationships with classroom teachers.
Class sizes range from 5-12 students and are assigned by grade level and ability. Each one-hour morning class period is typically followed by daily homework assignments, including on weekends, to deepen understanding and prepare for the next day of learning. We recognize that summer is a time for play, and our aim is to provide students the opportunity to bolster their academic skills in a supportive and engaging environment.
2023 Dates & Rates
Location: SSA Middle School, Fox Chapel (100 Benedum Lane, Pittsburgh, PA 15238)
Ages: Kids entering grades 6-8 in 2023-2024
Dates: June 20 - July 28 (closed June 19 and July 4)
2022 Class Times:
Literature & Composition 6: 8:45-9:45 a.m.
Literature & Composition 7: 9:50-10:50 a.m.
Literature & Composition 8: 10:55-11:55 a.m.
Math 6: 9:50-10:50 a.m.
Math 7: 10:55-11:55 a.m.
Math 8: 8:45-9:45 a.m.
Stay & Play (Summer School + Camp Ren): 8:45 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Individual Courses: $1,200 each
One Course + Stay & Play: $3,000
Two Courses + Stay & Play: $3,500
Stay & Play
Your child will enjoy the best of both worlds with Stay & Play! Students enroll in six weeks of Summer School, and when not in class they enjoy the rest of day in Camp Ren!
*After Care: $12 per day, until 6 p.m.
*Before Care: FREE, begins at 7:30 a.m.
Lunch included for Stay and Play Only.
Limited bus transportation is available for Stay and Play only with prior registration.
*This year, we ask that families utilize before/after care only when necessary to keep our numbers at a minimum as multiple grades will be in a larger group setting.
Progress Reports
Progress reports are issued at the end of the six-week session to provide parents with individualized and detailed feedback on their child's experience. In addition, teachers stay in contact with parents throughout the session to keep them informed about their child's coursework with individualized comments as needed. Teachers also keep the Summer School Director up to date on student progress with teaching goals, instructions, and expectations individualized.
2023 Middle School Courses
Middle School Literature & Composition
June 20- July 28 (closed June 19 and July 4)
Class Times:
Literature & Composition 6: 8:45-9:45 a.m.
Literature & Composition 7: 9:50-10:50 a.m.
Literature & Composition 8: 10:55-11:55 a.m.
Avid readers know that the page can take you on amazing journeys! Fill your summer with book talk and workshop experiences that will challenge you to develop your reading identity, practice and exercise the skills that more challenging texts require and respond through analytical, expressive and reflective writing.
Students will leverage new technologies as they read, annotate, discuss and write about the books that will spark their imagination. Through hands-on engagement with texts and a close working relationship with the teacher, students will reinforce critical skills and prepare themselves for the challenges of the coming school year.
Middle School Mathematics
June 20-July 28 (closed June 19 and July 4)
Class Times:
Math 6: 9:50-10:50 a.m.
Math 7: 10:55-11:55 a.m.
Math 8: 8:45-9:45 a.m.
We offer three levels of Middle School mathematics. All classes engage students in a hands-on exploration of math concepts and bolster existing math and problem-solving skills to prepare students for the challenges of the school year ahead.
Our sixth grade course includes an exploration of operations with whole numbers, variables, decimals, geometry, number theory, fractions and solving equations.
Our seventh grade course includes an introduction to algebra; decimals; positive, negative and rational numbers; equations; geometry; ratios, proportions and percentages; and the coordinate plane.
Our eighth grade course offers a preview to algebra, including expressions, equations, negative numbers, distributing, axioms, operations with polynomials and radicals, quadratic equations, two-variable expressions and equations, and a focus on solving more complex equations.
In all three courses, students learn by doing. We recommend enrolling your child in the course most closely aligned with the math course your child will take in the 2023-2024 school year. Questions regarding placement? Contact Dr. David Barndollar.
Meet the Summer School Director
Dr. David Barndollar is Shady Side Academy's Summer School Director. He is an experienced educator and school leader deeply committed to the development of students. He serves as the chair of the Senior School's English department and has served in a number of capacities over his career as an educator.
Please contact Dr. Barndollar with any questions.
