Very Good
#74 of 389 private schools in MA
Top 19% of private schools
Shady Hill School
Elementary School
178 COOLIDGE HL, Cambridge, MA 02138
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 20 schools in Cambridge. Learn more
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
502
Student-Teacher
7.1:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Cambridge
#4 of 7
public schools
Massachusetts elementary schools
#26 of 200
Academic performance
7.6 / 10
Very strong
About Shady Hill School
Shady Hill School is a public elementary school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, the school has an enrollment of 502 students and boasts a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, with 71 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. With its focus on early childhood education all the way up to middle school, Shady Hill School provides a comprehensive educational experience.
While academic performance data is not available, the school’s MySchoolScout rating of 2.4 out of 10 suggests there may be room for improvement in certain areas. Despite this, the dedicated faculty and supportive community contribute to an environment focused on student development and growth. Shady Hill School is situated in a mid-size city that offers a blend of urban resources and suburban charm.
The school's setting provides students with access to diverse cultural experiences while maintaining a close-knit educational atmosphere.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.1:1, Shady Hill School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, Shady Hill School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2024 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $61,548
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $72,328
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.18x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 72%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $127.1M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 502 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Shady Hill School compares to 19 public schools serving similar grades in Cambridge, MA
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Shady Hill School (this school) | 7.4 |
| Haggerty | 9.3 |
| Graham and Parks | 9.4 |
| Maria L. Baldwin | 9.9 |
| Putnam Avenue Upper School | 8.7 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. | 9.9 |
| Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School | 8.7 |
| Rindge Avenue Upper School | 9.3 |
| Peabody | 7.0 |
| Amigos School | 9.0 |
| Morse | 9.2 |
| John M Tobin | 9.2 |
| Prospect Hill Academy Charter School | 5.4 |
| Cambridgeport | 9.1 |
| Fletcher/Maynard Academy | 5.4 |
| King Open | 7.1 |
| Cambridge Street Upper School | 7.9 |
| Kennedy-Longfellow | 6.5 |
| Vassal Lane Upper School | 5.4 |
| Community Charter School of Cambridge | 7.8 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in MA.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in MA
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
178 COOLIDGE HL, Cambridge, MA 02138
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shady Hill School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Maria L. Baldwin (rated 9.9/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Graham and Parks (rated 9.4/10, 1.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Haggerty (rated 9.3/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Cambridge, see our Cambridge schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 1.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BUCKINGHAM BROWNE & NICHOLS SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.1 mi | 4.9 |
| GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BOSTON Boston | 0.8 mi | 7.4 |
| Gardner Pilot Academy Allston | 0.8 mi | 8.3 |
| ST PETER SCHOOL Cambridge | 0.8 mi | 6.6 |
| ATRIUM SCHOOL Watertown | 0.8 mi | 6.7 |
| Haggerty Cambridge | 0.9 mi | 9.3 |
| CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.2 mi | 7.4 |
| Graham and Parks Cambridge | 1.1 mi | 9.4 |
| Horace Mann School for the Deaf Hard of Hearing Allston | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ST JOSEPH PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Boston | 1.4 mi | 6.7 |
| ST JOSEPH PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Brighton | 1.4 mi | 7.8 |
| ST STEPHEN'S ARMENIAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Watertown | 1.1 mi | 5.3 |
| Benjamin Banneker Charter Public School Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 8.7 |
| KENNEDY DAY SCHOOL Brighton | 1.5 mi | 7.8 |
| SAINT PAUL'S CHOIR SCHOOL Cambridge | 1.2 mi | 7.8 |
| Peabody Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| Rindge Avenue Upper School Cambridge | 1.5 mi | 9.3 |
| Boston Green Academy Horace Mann Charter School Brighton | 1.5 mi | 6.0 |
| Maria L. Baldwin Cambridge | 1.3 mi | 9.9 |
| ST COLUMBKILLE PARTNERSHIP SCHOOL Brighton | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 02138 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$122,040
Median Home Value
$1,088,700
Median Rent
$2,799/mo
Population
38,077
College Educated
85.6%
Homeownership
40.9%
Avg Commute
24.3 min
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Median Age
28.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shady Hill School has a median household income of $122,040. It is a well-educated community where 86% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,088,700, with a median rent of $2,799/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.6%. The average commute for residents is 24 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Alice M Barrows Reading, MA | 7.4 |
| Brackett Arlington, MA | 7.4 |
| Center Elementary Hanover, MA | 7.4 |
| Conservatory Lab Charter School Dorchester, MA | 7.4 |
| Edison K-8 School Brighton, MA | 7.4 |
| F A Cleveland Norwood, MA | 7.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shady Hill School
What grades does Shady Hill School serve?
Shady Hill School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend Shady Hill School?
Shady Hill School has an enrollment of approximately 502 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shady Hill School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shady Hill School is 7.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Shady Hill School rank in MA?
Shady Hill School is ranked #74 out of 389 private schools in MA.
What is Shady Hill School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shady Hill School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
Is Shady Hill School a private school?
Yes, Shady Hill School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is Shady Hill School a religious school?
No, Shady Hill School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 32 Car-Dependent
- Transit Score
- 53 Good Transit
- Bike Score
- 82 Very Bikeable
- City Safety
- High (3,093/100K)
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Cambridge). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 502
- Gender Split
- 49% M / 51% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 71
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7.2 hours
- Days Per Year
- 171 days
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- MIDDLESEX
- Phone
- (617) 520-5221
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
Read our full methodologyRelated reading
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