Very Good
#138 of 872 private schools in PA
Top 16% of private schools
Shady Side Academy
School
500 SQUAW RUN RD E, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 143 schools in Pittsburgh. Learn more
Enrollment
1,058
Student-Teacher
6.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
1,058
Student-Teacher
6.4:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Pittsburgh
#13 of 46
public schools
Pennsylvania schools
#63 of 305
About Shady Side Academy
Shady Side Academy serves students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in Pittsburgh's Allegheny County, welcoming approximately 1,058 students across all grade levels. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1, supported by 166 full-time equivalent teachers who work directly with students. Located at 500 Squaw Run Road East, the school sits in a large suburban area that provides a distinct community setting for families in the region.
As a regular public school, Shady Side Academy offers traditional K-12 education to local families seeking neighborhood-based schooling options. The school currently holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10 and ranks #385 among Pennsylvania's 872 schools, placing it in the 56th percentile statewide. This positioning indicates the school has room for academic growth as it continues to support student development.
The suburban location offers families a quieter, more residential environment while maintaining proximity to Pittsburgh's broader educational and community resources.
What Parents Should Know
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.4:1, Shady Side Academy 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 Side Academy 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 (2023 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $43,681
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $57,906
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.33x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 64%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $146.5M
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 1,058 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow Shady Side Academy compares to 148 public schools serving similar grades in Pittsburgh, PA
Student Demographics
Nearby Other Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| Shady Side Academy (this school) | 7.7 |
| Fox Chapel Area HS | 8.8 |
| OHara El Sch | 8.0 |
| Fairview El Sch | 7.7 |
| Kerr El Sch | 6.0 |
| Hartwood El Sch | 8.8 |
| Dorseyville MS | 7.1 |
| Catalyst Academy CS | 5.2 |
| Pittsburgh Sunnyside K-8 | 5.5 |
| Pittsburgh Fulton K-5 | 5.9 |
| Marzolf Primary Sch | 8.0 |
| Pittsburgh Dilworth K-5 | 6.5 |
| Pittsburgh Obama 6-12 | 6.7 |
| Pittsburgh Westinghouse | 5.5 |
| Urban Academy of Greater Pittsburgh CS | 5.2 |
| Shaler Area HS | 5.8 |
| Linton MS | 6.4 |
| Pittsburgh Lincoln K-5 | 7.9 |
| Pittsburgh Faison K-5 | 6.8 |
| Pittsburgh Montessori K-5 | 7.3 |
| Penn Hills SHS | 4.9 |
Showing 20 of 148 schools. View all schools in Pittsburgh
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 PA.
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 PA
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
500 SQUAW RUN RD E, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shady Side Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. WINCHESTER THURSTON SCHOOL (rated 7.1/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Allison Park), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WATSON INSTITUT SOCIAL CTR FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMNT (rated 5.9/10, 3.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Pittsburgh, see our Pittsburgh schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SHADY SIDE ACADEMY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Pittsburgh | 0.6 mi | 7.6 |
| Fox Chapel Area HS Pittsburgh | 1.1 mi | 8.8 |
| Fairview El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | 7.7 |
| OHara El Sch Pittsburgh | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| Riverview JSHS Oakmont | 2.0 mi | 6.8 |
| Kerr El Sch Pittsburgh | 2.3 mi | 6.0 |
| Hartwood El Sch Pittsburgh | 3.2 mi | 8.8 |
| Dorseyville MS Pittsburgh | 3.2 mi | 7.1 |
| Verner El Sch Verona | 2.9 mi | 7.9 |
| Tenth Street El Sch Oakmont | 2.7 mi | 4.7 |
| BLESSED TRINITY ACADEMY Glenshaw | 3.1 mi | 5.8 |
| Central El Sch Allison Park | 3.7 mi | 6.3 |
| WATSON INSTITUT SOCIAL CTR FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMNT Pittsburgh | 3.6 mi | 5.9 |
| Catalyst Academy CS Pittsburgh | 4.2 mi | 5.2 |
| WINCHESTER THURSTON SCHOOL Allison Park | 3.8 mi | 7.1 |
| Burchfield Primary Sch Allison Park | 3.4 mi | 9.2 |
| Acmetonia El Sch Cheswick | 3.6 mi | 7.8 |
| TOLATR ACADEMY Pittsburgh | 4.4 mi | — |
| Pittsburgh Fulton K-5 Pittsburgh | 4.4 mi | 5.9 |
| Pittsburgh Sunnyside K-8 Pittsburgh | 4.3 mi | 5.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 15238 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$124,904
Median Home Value
$452,300
Median Rent
$1,189/mo
Population
13,000
College Educated
74.6%
Homeownership
77.4%
Avg Commute
25.5 min
Poverty Rate
5%
Median Age
48.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Shady Side Academy has a median household income of $124,904. It is a well-educated community where 75% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $452,300, with a median rent of $1,189/month. The local poverty rate of 5.0% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| FRIENDS CENTRAL SCHOOL Wynnewood, PA | 7.7 |
| DELAWARE COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Newtown Square, PA | 7.8 |
| GERMANTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL Philadelphia, PA | 7.6 |
| SPRINGSIDE CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY-MIDDLE Philadelphia, PA | 7.5 |
| SPRINGSIDE CHESTNUT HILL ACADEMY Philadelphia, PA | 7.4 |
| THE SHIPLEY SCHOOL Bryn Mawr, PA | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shady Side Academy
What grades does Shady Side Academy serve?
Shady Side Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Shady Side Academy?
Shady Side Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,058 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shady Side Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Shady Side Academy is 6.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does Shady Side Academy rank in PA?
Shady Side Academy is ranked #138 out of 872 private schools in PA.
What is Shady Side Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Shady Side Academy has a composite rating of 7.7 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 Side Academy a private school?
Yes, Shady Side Academy 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 Side Academy a religious school?
No, Shady Side Academy is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Pittsburgh). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,058
- Gender Split
- 55% M / 45% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 167
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 7 hours
- Days Per Year
- 171 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- ALLEGHENY
- Phone
- (412) 968-3179
- 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.
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