Ellis School

6425 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

22 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on January 09, 2022

I graduated from Ellis, and the single year I attended was one of the best of my entire education, including college and law school. It has rather shocked me to read the negative reviews placed here, but from the poor level of literacy in the reviews themselves, I suspect they are written by a jealous and bitter person who could never make the grade at Ellis. That's life. Some of us are fortunate enough to always remember our time at this truly extraordinary school with something approaching awe.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2015

Ellis is like a college-level experience for K-12. The curriculum is top-notch and the focus on women's achievements and empowerment sets girls up for success. The education my daughter is getting at Ellis is incomparable.
Submitted by parent on July 17, 2015

I have been a parent for over 15 years at Ellis. The school has transformed both of my daughters, but for two distinct and different reasons. My one daughter was very introverted and hesitant to take risks. She blossomed at Ellis with the caring and dedicated staff. My other daughter has truly a love of life and sometimes needs to have her enthusiasm contained and at times redirected. Ellis provides a nurturing environment that allows her to fully understand the rules without crushing her spirit.
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2015

When my daughter was enrolled in public school for 1st and 2nd grade, she was in a class of 32 children, bullied, punched in the stomach by a fellow classmate, and generally ignored by teachers unless she was upset or crying. As a result, she had trouble sleeping, generally disliked school, and we were alarmed. When we decided to transition her to Ellis, we were very hopeful that these issues would be solved. We were absolutely right in our choice. We could not be more thrilled with how she has grown and developed over the past three years. Raising a child has many challenges and one hopes that the schooling component will help them learn and grow and NOT be a deterrent to well-being. My daughter has been provided with consistent nurturing and guidance throughout her school experience. If conflict arose between her and another student, mediation was immediate and resolution found. When she struggled in math, she received extra efforts from her teacher and was assigned an upper school mentor. She has been given opportunities to grow and become a confidant young woman who can navigate her school world and translate those skills to the greater world. She has learned to communicate more effectively, compromise better, persevere when difficulty arises, and to gain confidence to overcome her personal struggles. The Ellis teachers have responded thoroughly and enthusiastic to my few queries about both personal and educational issues. I cannot stress enough how superb Ellis has been for my daughter. I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending Ellis to any girl. She is empowered and enriched by her school experiences and I am ever grateful that the opportunity to send her to Ellis has been available to our family. Thank you, Ellis!
Submitted by parent on July 15, 2015

The Ellis School has changed my daughter's life. She's a precocious 9-year-old who felt bullied and stressed all the time at her last school. Since coming to Ellis she's relaxed into herself again. She skips in the hallways. She sings songs. AND the academic work, though more challenging than the last school, gives her great joy to complete. School administrators are kind and caring. There are many engagement opportunities for us as a family to know the school, it's programs, and other families.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2015

Parents please BEWARE and WARNED. This school does nothing about student bullying except become more concerned for their own reputation and liability issues than a student who has been severly bullied and the psychological aspects that stem from it and when a school administration and Teachers are not compassionate enough to care, it is even more detrimental to that student who is already a victim. We all know what the future of child who does not get validation from being attacked in a place where she/he is supposet to be protected and safe (over the course of two years) can lead to mental problems and suicide. I am over 55 and a grandparent of a student who attended here (NO MORE thank god) My grandaughter is devasted by this and we are hoping she will get through it somehow. She is just starting out in school. We teach our children right from wrong and it is shame that at Ellis if you are the victum than it is that child that is segregated from the class which just manifests other children to mistreat a bullyed child daily. The administration does not have to worry as to why this child is not eating or is so depressed (at 6 years of age) that she does not want to get out of bed. THIS HAS GOT TO STOP AND ELLIS BETTER GET A GRIP SOON OR THEY WILL BE EXPOSED BY SOME OTHER FAMILY IN THE FUTURE. THE COUNCELORS ARE GREAT BUT THEY ARE HELPLESS AGAINST THIS ADMINISTRATION. SO PARENTS BEWARE AND READ OTHER REVIEWS ABOUT THIS VERY SAME ISSUE.
Submitted by parent on April 08, 2015

My daughter is just finishing kindergarten at Ellis and loves going to school each day. The teachers and school staff are wonderful - everyone seems to care passionately about the students and the school. We visited and considered Winchester, Falk, Shadyside, Carlow, and the magnet schools - for us, Ellis stood out. Objectively, math is an area where her skills really seem ahead of typical kindergarten level. The school also does a great job of fueling her curiosity to explore and learn about new things. The tuition is expensive. I feel that it still represents a good value, but the school will need to keep find ways to keep it in check or risk losing families like ours who do not qualify for financial aid, but still have enough cost sensitivity to consider other options.
Submitted by parent on April 20, 2014

We love Ellis. The teachers and staff are amazing people who want the best for our daughter. It has helped her become more confident and willing to try new things. So glad our daughter is an Ellis girl!
Submitted by parent on April 17, 2014

The Ellis School is a 100 year old model for single sex girl's education. It has a culture and program dedicated to the success of female studetns and leaders. What I respect most about Ellis is the continued dedication to providing a state of the art education with the latest teaching styles and technology. My daughter comes come from school every day happy, and skips to school in the morning. This is not a sentiment that any school can easily create in students and it is emblematic of the culture of excellent. As time goes by, we are learning more and more about the necessity and impace of a single sex education especically for young girls. In our society at the corporate, political and leadershp venues women are underrepresented. A significant proportion of our female leaders in these domains have been a part of a single sex education which adds further credence to Ellis and its mission. I simply cannot imagine another school for my daughter.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2014

I love Ellis! They teach and encourage empowerment to the girls and I have witnessed first hand how it has shaped my daughter. My daughter has had the opportunity to participate in sports that I know she would not have tried if she were at any other school. The environment and supportiveness of the teachers and staff are second to none. I cannot fathom sending my daughters anywhere else.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2014

There are many things that distinguish Ellis: Caring teachers. The best student/faculty ratio in the city. A learning environment that combines cutting-edge developmental knowledge about how girls learn best with exceptionally strong, hands-on interdisciplinary curriculum. Stanford University has rated Ellis among the top schools in the U.S, for its innovative approach to design thinking in education. The new Active Classroom for Girls (the product of a recent E.E.Ford grant) and other initiatives are strengthening Ellis's standing as a leader in STEM education for girls. Beyond the terrific academic experience, Ellis instills great core values -- personal integrity, kindness, work ethic, responsibility, thoughtfulness -- that build self-confidence and an intrepid sense of creativity in students. Graduates are prepared, self-reliant and motivated to succeed, typically outperforming their Ellis GPAs in college. This is no one-size-fits-all education, but very customized and responsive to each student's talents, needs and aspirations. The sunny, upbeat girl-power atmosphere nurtures strong, healthy individuals and prepares its students well for success in the wider world.
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2014

My daughter is just finishing the 9th grade at Ellis. She has been there since 6th grade. She now says she wishes she'd been there since K-garten! When she came she was a bit behind those who had been there a long time, but the teachers were amazing and patient and she caught up soon. She is now exploring arts such as photography and ceramics, and has joined a sports team. She has learned to analyze and think for herself, and how to be a stronger writer. She is also gaining confidence in making presentations and talking with adults. I can see her growing in the all-girls environment, where popularity is determined by a girl's deeper character, not by how many boys pay attention to her. In the past there were times when Ellis was so focused on hard work that the girls seemed too stressed, but for the past two years the administration has been really focused on the "whole child" philosophy. They now make sure that there aren't too many projects due at the same time or too many tests the same week, and they encourage the girls to figure out how to balance academics with sports, volunteering, family life, and anything else they want to pursue. I highly recommend Ellis!
Submitted by parent on April 15, 2014

Ellis is an amazing school! As a parent, I very much value the strong focus on learning that's a key part of the curriculum. In addition, there are many sports opportunities currently available, as well as initiatives to further increase its athletic program. The school provides an environment that reinforces all the right values -- academics, sports, leadership -- that develop a young girl into a well-rounded individual. It's also important to note that Ellis girls set high standards for themselves and in the process, encourage each other to stretch. And last but not least, the Ellis community has a lot of fun together!!
Submitted by parent on February 06, 2014

My daughter is in the Lower School and she loves going to school everyday and has really enjoyed the school. The curriculum is in-depth in STEM and art and music. Additionally, the girls write in journals everyday so they really learn to express themselves in the written format. The smile on her face when I pick her up is all the recommendation I need each day to know that we made the right decision to send her to Ellis. We utilize the after school program, both the extended day and classes which conveniently runs until 5:45 and on teacher workdays.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2014

The Ellis School provides an exceptional education to girls PreK-12. From their youngest years through the middle school and then as they grow to be young women, each and every girl is recognized, valued, challenged, supported, and believed in. My girl entered in 6th, and now as a 10th grader she freely articulates how it's made a difference in her life to be at a small school with a caring faculty who know her strengths, help her with her challenges, and celebrate her individuality. She can be exactly who she is at Ellis, and be accepted. I feel that its the greatest gift that I can give to my daughter, to have her in an environment that is teaching her to believe in herself, find her own voice, and become a leader.
Submitted by parent on January 30, 2014

As an Ellis parent, I am constantly impressed by the value that the all girls experience brings to my daughter's education. Everything that Ellis does is about how girls learn best. I am so grateful that my daughter has an opportunity to be part of a culture that encourages her to ask questions, find her voice, develop her self confidence and grow as a learner every single day. The program is a great blend of tradition and innovation and the teachers take great pride in getting to know every student well. Ellis has become my daughter's second family, and we are so grateful that she has this unique and extraordinary opportunity.
Submitted by parent on January 05, 2014

It's been "several years" since my 2 daughters attended Ellis. I simply want to report to prospective parents that the eldest is now doing her final year of residency after completing a MD/PhD program; my youngest is in a PhD program in the sciences... They have stood on the foundation Ellis provided them via rigorous, meaningful, and interesting curriculum/classes led by a passionate faculty. I'm as pleased as punch and highly recommend Ellis for your daughter.
Submitted by parent on December 15, 2013

I am a parent of a student who attended The Ellis School for the middle and upper schools. We live in a very good public school district, but recognized the negative impact standardized testing has had on education, especially on writing and required a strong English department for a middle school experience, so we compared SSA and WT to Ellis, and Ellis won. After my daughter visited all three, she came home from Ellis beaming, and said, Ellis is my school! There is no better school for the smart and motivated girl, in which to learn liberal arts, fine arts, and critical thinking, especially in math, science and technology. My daughter is now in the upper school and is thriving, happy, and very competitively positioned for any of the top colleges and universities of the world and of her choosing. She is strong, confident, accomplished, self-assured and happy. Ellis has given her the knowledge, skills, and the opportunities to develop the critical self-awareness she needs to plan and execute her own vision of her future.
Submitted by parent on December 05, 2013

This school was a waste of time and money to send my daughter to. I feel very disappointed from the attitude from administration people and teachers when my daughter encountered bully. There is no any action from this school to stop bully. Very disappointing!
Submitted by other on October 03, 2013

After attending Ellis K-12, I gained an exceptional education and invaluable life skills. Even in the darkest hours of middle school (when many girls are in fact "too cool for school"), the staff at Ellis fosters an environment that helps shape happy, courageous young women who know how to think and work hard to reach goals that may seem out of reach.