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Shady Side Academy Welcomes Fox Chapel Country Day School as Second PK-5 Campus
Shady Side Academy welcomes Fox Chapel Country Day School as its second PK-5 campus, offering families in the north suburbs greater access to the region’ s best PK-12 education. The two highly respected independent schools signed a merger agreement in spring 2016, which will take effect in 2017.
Shady Side Academy now offers families the choice between two junior school campuses, one in Point Breeze and one in Fox Chapel. While each campus offers a unique experience, both are alive with engaged and curious learners who are prepared to succeed at SSA Middle School.
Fox Chapel Country Day School is located on 17 wooded acres in Fox Chapel and enrolls more than 100 students in junior prekindergarten( age 3) through fifth grade. Founded in 1948, the school provides a foundation that is centered in academics and the arts, in which each child can achieve both academic success and personal self-confidence.
From the moment you enter Fox Chapel Country Day School, its motto,“ Childhood is a journey, not a race,” is unmistakable. The unhurried, nurturing environment fosters happy and creative students who come to school ready to discover and learn each day.
Each morning, students participate in schoolwide and classroom meetings, learning the value in caring for others, themselves and their environment. Talented and dedicated teachers work with parents from the very beginning, recognizing that each child’ s educational journey is unique. Close, supportive interactions promote lifelong friendships, with the older children serving as“ buddies” and mentors for the younger children.
Children spend an enormous amount of time playing, exploring and learning outdoors on the beautiful wooded campus, as well as in the bright, spacious, welcoming indoor classrooms. Ideal student / teacher ratios support a learning environment in which small groups of students are given a foundation in math, reading, science, language arts, Spanish and other academic areas carefully designed to meet the needs of varied levels and learning styles. The
solid academic curricula, along with a strong commitment to the creative and performing arts, builds confidence and social skills while preparing students for Shady Side Academy Middle School.
Historically, a majority of FCCDS graduates have gone on to attend SSA’ s middle and senior schools, which are located less than a mile up the road in Fox Chapel. Merger discussions between the two schools have occurred on and off for the last 30 years.
Sixty percent of Shady Side’ s middle school enrollment comes from the north suburbs, but many of those families don’ t enroll until sixth grade because SSA’ s junior school campus in Point Breeze is simply too far away. With the merger, families in the north now have access to a Shady Side Academy education at an earlier age.
The Fox Chapel Country Day School campus is located just minutes from Hampton, and Hampton Township School District provides bus service to FCCDS, as well as to SSA’ s middle and senior schools.
Families interested in learning more about Fox Chapel Country Day School are encouraged to attend the school’ s Fall Festival and Open House on Sunday, Oct. 30, from 2-4 p. m. Bring the kids and enjoy an afternoon of fun activities, including hay rides, a pumpkin patch, a costume parade, and arts and crafts, as well as tours of the school.
To learn more, or to inquire about admission for the 2017-2018 school year, visit www. ShadySideAcademy. org / CountryDay or call 412.963.8644.
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