All-girls education in Pittsburgh

Why Choose Ellis?

The Ellis School is Pittsburgh’s leading age 3 to grade 12 private school dedicated to the education of girls.

Empowerment
Play
Stereotypes
Play
Friendship
Play

An Ellis Girl Is
Play

Why All-girls?

The Ellis School is a place where girls take center stage. And we think that's just where they belong.

Vibrant Intellects

We embolden girls to be intellectually vibrant and ambitious. In the company of other genuinely curious, diverse students, and guided by gifted and committed teachers, girls thrive in our forward-thinking, progressive academic environment.
Changemakers

We empower girls to be courageous changemakers. Ellis girls are comfortable tussling with complex problems and are eager to solve them. They develop into brave, bold young women who are ready to use their powerful minds and voices to change the world.
Secure & Confident

We develop young women who are secure in themselves. Ellis girls grow remarkable confidence and a strong voice—they hold fast to what they believe, know their own strengths, and speak up for themselves and others.
Positive Community Members

We believe learning is enhanced by the remarkable diversity of our school community. At Ellis, every girl is invited to bring all aspects of her identity into our shared space. Ellis students are caring and empathetic individuals who make deep, authentic connections with others.

1/4

Come See What We Are All About

Jeri and Bill Simon, Class of 2018 and 2021 Parents

Jeri and Bill Simon were new to the world of all-girls education when Jeri accepted a position as a part-time teacher at The Ellis School two decades ago. Fast forward to today, Bill and Jeri are vocal advocates for girls’ schools, having witnessed firsthand the transformative power of a girls’ school education through their daughters, Olivia, Class of 2018, and Claire, Class of 2021.
Carrie Sparks and Christopher Palmer, Class of 2029 Parents

Carrie Sparks and Christopher Palmer were not familiar with all-girls education until they started looking at schools for their daughter. After seeing the differences in how their son and daughter learned, they decided to look at The Ellis School and ultimately enrolled Edie, Class of 2029. Firm believers that Ellis cultivates girls to be lifelong, confident learners, Christopher and Carrie share how Ellis has fostered Edie’s individuality and encouraged her growth.
Denise LaRosa, Class of 2030 Parent

Determined to give her daughter access to the best education in Pittsburgh, Denise LaRosa knew that The Ellis School was the only place for her daughter, Gianna, Class of 2030. A pre-kindergarten teacher at Ellis as well as a parent, Denise saw firsthand how transformative all-girls education could be for girls and chose to enroll her daughter in kindergarten so she could get the full Ellis experience beginning in Lower School. Now in first grade, Gianna is thriving in her class—proving to Denise and her husband, Jason, every day that they made the right decision.
Elaine Musgrave and Michael Wood-Vasey, Class of 2032 Parents

Elaine Musgrave and Michael Wood-Vasey first heard about the transformative power of an Ellis education from their friends, and soon enough were experiencing it for themselves through their daughter, Ella, Class of 2032. Attracted to Ellis’ emphasis on community and responsibility, Elaine and Michael wanted to send their daughter to a school where her voice would be respected, heard, and valued from a young age.
Priyanka Jhala, Class of 2030 Parent

The stories Priyanka Jhala heard about The Ellis School from other families in her community stood out to her as she considered where to send her daughter, Saira, to pre-kindergarten. After speaking with Ellis parents and the Enrollment Management team, Priyanka and her husband, Sameer, decided Ellis was the right place for Saira. It was Ellis’ global focus, nurturing faculty members, and commitment to celebrating each individual girl that drove their investment—and they haven’t looked back since.
Marla and Dave Garrod, Class of 2031 Parents

“No guts, no glory.” This mantra was central to Marla and David Garrod as they chose The Ellis School for their daughter, Cassie, Class of 2031. Wanting to give Cassie the opportunity to soar in a nurturing environment that valued hard work and intellectual curiosity, David and Marla enrolled Cassie in pre-kindergarten and have seen her self-confidence and brainpower grow every day since. They’re hopeful that as Cassie grows and blossoms at Ellis, she’ll develop the guts to chase her dreams and know the glory that follows afterward when her hard work pays off.
Sarah Bumsted, Class of 2027 and 2029 Parent

When Sarah ALTMAN Bumsted ’95 moved back to Pittsburgh, there was one decision that she didn’t give a second thought to—sending her two daughters, Kit, Class of 2029, and Annie, Class of 2027, to Ellis. An alumna of the School herself, Sarah knew firsthand the value of an Ellis education and wanted her daughters to have the same experiences and opportunities she had as an Ellis student. From the invaluable role modeling girls witness in older students to the incomparable teachers who truly know, support, and care for them, Sarah chose Ellis for her daughters because she believes wholeheartedly that Ellis is the best educational experience for any child in Pittsburgh.
Tara and Patrick McElfresh, Class of 2024 Parents

When Tara and Patrick McElfresh sought out a new school for their daughter, Liadan, Class of 2024, they wanted a place that would not only challenge her academically, but personally as she moved from elementary to middle school. A place that would encourage her to be an independent thinker, confident student, and compassionate friend. A place that would provide unrivaled educational opportunities in a supportive, safe, and diverse environment. A place where their daughter could truly thrive. After Liadan visited Ellis for a shadow day—and left beaming ear-to-ear—it was clear to them that The Ellis School was that place for Liadan and the right place for them as parents.

1/8

What Our Graduates Say

Marsha BROWN, Ph.D. ’97
“I will always remember Ellis’ supportive environment where learning, reasoning, and intellectual curiosity were encouraged. Not many environments are as intellectually stimulating as Ellis.”
Lauren BYRNE Connelly ’02
“Ellis helped me find my own voice and taught me to use it confidently and effectively. At Ellis, I learned how to really think about all aspects of an issue in order to come to a conclusion.”
Ramita RAVI '13
“What differentiates Ellis girls from others is our confidence and ability 'to be rather than to seem'... Ellis shaped us into strong willed and strong minded young women who can conquer the world—remember that; let it inspire you and others!”
Marina LORENZINI ’12
“The diversity at Ellis truly impacted me. I came with my own Italian background and fellow students came with their own cultural backgrounds. My worldview began to expand: global topics were more relevant to my life, my classmates were politically engaged, and I felt confident in exploring uncharted territory.”
Julie STRICKLAND-Gilliard '02
“The Ellis School is a family that will be with me for the rest of my life. I didn’t need to join a sorority in college—my 2002 classmates and every class from Ellis is my sorority. I know I always have a home with them, and that gives me strength to take risks.”
Bonnie WEST ’09
“At Ellis, I was encouraged to be creative in my own way and take pieces in my own direction. I could explore my own creative inquiries and desires, because I learned the correct techniques and design skills to back them up.”
Jennifer L. CARTER, Psy.D. '92
“After attending Ellis—where girls ran everything—I felt empowered. In college, graduate school, and the workforce I never second-guessed my ability to compete or perform in any situation.”
Jo LANG Kim, Ph.D. ’90
“Ellis taught me how to think critically and how to communicate effectively. Those skills have helped me in numerous ways throughout college, graduate school, and my career.”
Colleen DAILY Simonds '95
“At Ellis, I never hesitated to get involved, and instead of shying away from opportunities, I seized them.”
Sage LINCOLN '12
“Ellis taught me to be authentic and true to myself, which is an incredibly important core value of mine.”
Heidi HOLZAPFEL '97
“I liked acting and loved the fact that Ellis was supportive of any outlet you wanted to pursue. I had so much fun on the stage, and the best friendships I formed, and still maintain, from Ellis were made in the theater.”