Shady Side Academy Junior School

400 S. Braddock Ave

Pittsburgh, PA 15221

6 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK, K-5
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by other on May 08, 2023

Some teachers here don’t understand how to teach kids to read. There’s little to no guided/small reading groups or individualized reading instruction, bright kids are rarely challenged appropriately, they seem to have no idea how to collect data to back up the grades they give on report cards, they don’t let parents know in what area(s) their child could be practicing at home, and communication is just overall bad. Very disappointing for a private school with the cost of tuition. I would expect all kids to get an exceptional education but it seems no better than a public school in many ways.
Submitted by parent on September 12, 2016

SSA is an inviting and nurturing community. My daughter has completed the Pre-Kindergarten program and is now in Kindergarten. Im impressed with the way the school works to build upon each year and each grade prepares your child for the next. All 3 of the campuses work toward the same goal. The children are given the tools to make better choices and be their own advocate. They also encourage public speaking and they start as early as PK. SSA believes in a holistic approach. SSA gets your child moving so their brains are engaged and ready for learning. It is, overall, a wonderful school and I highly recommend attending.
Submitted by parent on May 13, 2014

Shady Side Academy Jr. School is an amazing place. My daughter is completing kindergarten now and we could not be happier with our choice to send her to SSA. The faculty and staff are warm and welcoming but also personable and knowledgable about each child that walks through the door. The facilities are bright and airy and conducive to open ended and project based learning. My daughter has absolutely thrived in this environment and we are ecstatic to have found such a good match for our highly creative and analytical kid. We strongly recommend taking a look at SSA- it is not an old-fashioned, male dominated elitist place-- it's a great place for smart kids to flourish and grow into independent and creative thinkers.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2014

We loved their pre-K program, which was very much hands-on and age appropriate. However, this year, they've completely fixed what was a fantastic program into an environment that was much more rigid and traditional learning style - sit, listen and be taught to, not engagement. (Three of the four passionate pre-K teachers are no longer teaching classes.) The leadership and teachers seem to want to help, but with a little more interaction, you'll find that the rumors are true. It's not a very accommodating environment. It doesn't truly advance children who are truly excelling as they're suppose to be accelerated. (The teacher did not realize my child knew phonics and all the sight words taught at the time.) And if your child is underperforming (academically or behaviorally), then expect their recommendation to hold your child back another year to "build their leadership skills." They do create a great sense of tight-knitted community. That, comes with a tremendous amount of involvement from the parents. Parents assist with carpool, in-class events, library, yearbook, provide snacks/breakfast for faculty meetings, to name a few. It's a more prestigious charter school.
Submitted by parent on January 29, 2014

My husband and I think the Junior School is a truly remarkable place and has seen some wonderful enhancements within the last few years. Our children are benefiting from a new math curriculum which complements the strong balanced literacy program. The campus is a gem too and last year they added a "farm" to the campus which the children help plant and harvest. Love the teachers and staff and that my child wants to go to school everyday. If you need after school I can't imagine there is a better program elsewhere - it helps us make it all work. So worth taking a look!
Submitted by parent on October 23, 2013

Administration in the 2010-11 was very old-fashioned. My child was in Pre-K then. Someone new in leadership was coming, but declined a 2nd year. At an awards assembly certificates were handed out by the administration without smiles and with no feeling. Maintenance needed on the gym roof that year. Old/plastic chairs in the gym for a holiday program. A woman sitting in front of me had her chair totally collapse. Next program, rented wooden folding chairs. They send a very polished looking magazine to donors and parents. You'll read about all the expensive events and then you'll think about the basics the school needs. Paid full tuition. Functionally obsolete items should always get noticed. My husband/brothers went here. My uncle's aristocratic cousin and his son went here.The school is still boy centric. Not quite right for our warm and creative child. Thankfully, we have a great public school walking distance. Happy I could review SSA. There is a general feeling in PGH that you can't make unfavorable remarks about any long-standing institutions.