About

About

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

The Ellis School provides an unmatched, girl-centered, interdisciplinary education in the heart of Pittsburgh's East End. An academically rigorous, urban, college-preparatory school, Ellis serves a diverse student population from a broad range of socio-economic circumstances. At The Ellis School girls take risks, work collaboratively, ask questions, and pursue their dreams.

Vision

We are a leader in developing girls and young women who tussle creatively and boldly with real-world problems and who are ready, excited, and committed to making a positive change in the world. We focus the School’s programming on prioritizing our girls’ growth around four key pillars:

List of 4 items.

  • Changemakers

    to be forces for positive change in the world—completely undeterred by challenging situations and experts at finding creative solutions to difficult problems
  • Positive Community Members

    to be caring, empathetic individuals with real integrity, cultural competency, and an ability to make authentic, meaningful connections in a diverse world
  • Secure & Confident

    to be secure and confident in themselves, with a clear sense of what they value and strong voices with which to speak up for themselves and others
  • Vibrant Intellects

    to be genuinely curious and intellectually ambitious, delighted by learning, and equipped with all the skills necessary to be successful, independent, life-long learners

Community

List of 8 items.

  • 68

    zip codes
  • 35

    school districts
  • 38%

    of students are people of color
  • 398

    total student enrollment
  • 6:1

    student to faculty ratio
  • 12

    average class size
  • 67

    total faculty members
  • 66%

    of faculty hold master’s degrees

Academics

List of 9 items.

  • 91%

    of graduates describe Ellis as a very supportive environment
  • 3

    computer science curricula creating a pre-k to grade 12 comprehensive program
  • 17

    language courses offered in the Upper School
  • 13

    AP courses offered
  • 100

    colleges visit campus each year
  • 100%

    of graduates report that Ellis encourages high academic expectations
  • 6

    Integrated Studies courses
  • 1:1

    device program
  • 100%

    of graduates pursue higher education at a four-year college or university

Athletics

List of 4 items.

  • 10

    sports offered throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons
  • 70%

    of Middle and Upper School students play team sports
  • 4

    WPIAL field hockey championships
  • 48

    Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

Campus

List of 7 items.

  • 6

    fine arts spaces including a dark room, clay studio, digital media lab, and art studios for each division
  • 4

    class lounges in the Upper School
  • 7

    buildings on a beautiful 8-acre campus in Pittsburgh’s East End
  • 4

    gymnasiums
  • 1

    active classroom equipped to support STEM curricula
  • 72,000

    square foot regulation-size athletic field
  • 1

    makerspace called The Foundry with 3D printing, vinyl cutting, and laser cutting/etching tools and technology

Mission

List of 8 items.

  • 35%

    of students receive Tailored Tuition
  • 100+

    years of girl-centered, immersive education tailored specifically to the development and empowerment of girls
  • 1

    Pittsburgh’s only pre-kindergarten to grade 12 school for girls
  • 3

    divisions for a comprehensive and holistic approach to girls’ education
  • $1.96

    million annually in Tailored Tuition adjustments ranging from $500 to the full price of tuition
  • 1

    community that pursues, supports, and embraces diversity of all kinds, recognizing the collective strength derived from our individual differences. We are committed to creating a school environment in which all students feel welcome, known, heard, safe, and treated fairly, while establishing ourselves as a leader in equity and justice initiatives.
  • 3,000+

    alumnae make up an international network of support
  • 1

    mission: to educate girls and young women to become bold, authentic, and intellectually vibrant changemakers

Equity and Inclusion

The Ellis School does not discriminate on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation in employment. We do not discriminate in student recruitment, admissions, financial aid, or any other aspect of the School’s program, except on the basis of age and gender identity in fulfillment of the School’s mission.