How We Move
Movement Fuels Minds
Whether it’s the thrill of athletics, the excitement of outdoor adventure class, or the energetic buzz of physical education class, Shady Side students are always on the move. From lively walk-and-talk sessions that spark curiosity to field trips that expand horizons and playful recess time that nurtures exploration, movement is woven into every day.
Lower Schools
When children move, their brains release endorphins and dopamine, which foster engagement and motivation. Physical activity and play in our Lower Schools help build fine motor skills and spatial awareness, laying a foundation for reading, writing, and problem-solving. These active moments offer learners of all ages an outlet for exploring the world and building confidence, two elements that are inseparable from academic success.
Supporting the work of childhood.
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Shady Side understands young learners—by building in movement and outdoor exploration, they make learning feel natural and joyful. Our child comes home with a new story to tell each day!
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Forging Friendship by Taking a Stroll
Children learn better when they move, which is why Walk and Talk is a daily practice within our Lower Schools. Every morning, students pair up with classmates and teachers for an outdoor constitutional, and the topics of conversation are wide-ranging. Just ask Academy President Bart Griffith ’93, who regularly participates. Mr. Griffith has been asked about a tarantula’s chances of besting a scorpion, the purpose of homework, and whether he thinks pizza or mac and cheese is superior. (For the record, he is Team Pizza.)
Upper Schools
Staying active is intentionally the Shady Side way of learning—our students stay active in ways that fuel their physical health, mental development, and academic growth. Athletics are a required component of the curriculum. From dancing across the stage in the musical to sprinting down the soccer field or just casually walking across campus, moving is just what we do here.
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Making Time for Game Time
In grades 6–12, athletics isn’t a side note—it’s a cornerstone of the program. By embedding athletics into the curriculum, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to develop skills, build resilience, and embrace the spirit of teamwork. Students benefit from some of the region’s finest on-campus facilities, including a turf stadium with lights, a hockey rink, a swimming pool, multiple gymnasiums, grass fields, and both tennis and squash courts. Athletics at Shady Side isn’t just about the game—it’s about cultivating character and passion in an environment built for champions.
Bulldogs in the News
For the third straight season, Shady Side Academy girls basketball head coach Jonna Burke has been named WPIAL Class 3A Coach of the Year by the "TribLive High School Sports Network."
The Shady Side Academy Girls Varsity Squash team made history this season, reaching new heights with standout performances, key individual achievements, and a strong sense of camaraderie.
Congratulations to Shady Side Academy sophomore Ava J. for attaining USA Swimming 2023-2024 Scholastic All-American. To be recognized, the athlete must maintain a minimum 3.5 grade-point average (unweighted) and meet certain competition criteria during the academic school year.
For the second straight year, the Shady Side Academy Girls Varsity Basketball team is headed to the WPIAL Championship—and they’re looking to bring home another title.
The Shady Side Academy girls 4x800 relay team is making history. At the SPIRE Scholastic Showcase, juniors Rhyley B., Sarah K. and Ella V. N., along with sophomore Charlotte B., shattered the indoor school record with a remarkable time of 9:45.56—good for a second-place finish at the meet. Their time is currently the fastest in the WPIAL across all classifications and ranks seventh in Pennsylvania, marking them as one of the top relay squads in the state.
Shady Side Academy recently announced the appointment of alumnus Andrew Geisler ’12 as the new head coach of the Varsity Football team. A seasoned collegiate coach with a passion for mentoring student-athletes, Geisler brings extensive experience and a deep connection to his alma mater.
Shady Side Academy is taking an exciting step forward in the evolution of girls’ ice hockey. After a year of strategic research and planning, the Girls’ Hockey Performance Program will launch in the 2025–26 school year, offering a new model that prioritizes elite development while preserving the exceptional academic experience that defines SSA.
Shady Side Academy junior Karis T. reached a remarkable milestone, scoring her 1,000th career point during a hard-fought game against Berlin Brothersvalley. The standout point guard, now in her third year on the Bulldogs’ Girls Basketball team, made program history while leading her team to victory.
Shady Side Academy’s Fall 2024 athletics season was marked by impressive achievements. The Girls Golf and Field Hockey teams won WPIAL championships, while Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Tennis, and Boys Golf advanced athletes to the PIAA championships. Boys Soccer earned a playoff upset, and Girls Soccer, Tennis, and Volleyball players received postseason honors.
Shady Side Academy’s Field Hockey team has once again claimed victory, winning the WPIAL Class 1A championship on Saturday, November 2, at Washington & Jefferson College. This marks the Bulldogs’ 21st WPIAL title, bringing them just one championship shy of the all-time league record.
Shady Side Academy’s Lower Schools cross country program continues to thrive, offering students in grades 2-5 from both the Junior School and Country Day School the chance to develop physical and mental strength. With over 76 runners participating this season, the program has become a key part of Shady Side’s athletic offerings for younger students.
Shady Side Academy’s Girls Golf team triumphed at the 2024 WPIAL Girls Golf Team Championships, claiming their fourth WPIAL title in school history and first since 2011. The Bulldogs ended Greensburg Central Catholic’s nine-year reign in Class 2A with an impressive team score of 387 (+103), securing victory by 12 strokes at the Cedarbrook Red Golf Course on October 10.
Shady Side Academy freshman Alyssa Z. delivered a remarkable performance at the 2024 WPIAL Girls Golf Individual Championships, making up an eight-stroke deficit to claim the Class 2A title. Alyssa’s victory, which took place at Butler Country Club on October 1, marks her as the second WPIAL Girls' Golf individual champion in Shady Side Academy history.
Shady Side Academy sophomore Meriwether M. has once again proven herself a force in WPIAL girls tennis, successfully defending her Class 3A title at the 2024 WPIAL Girls Tennis Singles Championships.
Shady Side Academy is thrilled to announce a transformative partnership with LEG1ON Training & Performance to offer on-campus training and performance services beginning in the fall 2024 athletics season. This collaboration is set to significantly enhance our athletic programs, providing student-athletes with top-tier resources to achieve their individual and team goals.