A look at enrollment and tuition over the past 5 years at Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy and Winchester Thurston

When interim Head of School at Sewickley Academy Ashley Birtwell announced the departure of five administrators and a fifth-grade teacher July 21, questions began to rise about the decision, especially in light of prior events.

The announcement came a month after a group called the Sewickley Parents Organization sent a letter to Sewickley Academy parents, voicing concerns over the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion plan, which is part of the school’s EnVision 2024 strategic plan.

Another group of parents was concerned the Sewickley Parents Organization’s letter had influenced the academy’s decision, including the release of the director of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice and service — a position since filled with the interim appointment of health and physical education teacher Derek Chimner.

Birtwell said the school’s decisions were not influenced by any outside forces, and the board already has considered changes in leadership in early 2021, citing a steady declining enrollment as a reason for the leadership changes. She addressed that topic in a letter to Sewickley Academy parents Aug. 4.

She said the school has been experiencing an enrollment decline since 2002, when it had 804 students. She said 583 students were enrolled at the school for the 2020-21 school year.

In light of Birtwell citing enrollment and tuition, the Sewickley Herald looked at comparable schools. The data show the tuition rates and enrollment over the past five years for Sewickley Academy, Shady Side Academy in Fox Chapel and Point Breeze and Winchester Thurston School in Shadyside.

Winchester Thurston and Sewickley Academy are private, independent, coeducation, college-preparatory schools. Shady Side Academy is an independent preparatory school.

All three schools teach students in grades pre-K through 12.

Shady Side Academy has seen a consistent increase in enrollment numbers despite having the largest tuition max out of all three schools at $32,995.

Winchester Thurston’s enrollment has remained steady but faced a slump last school year when the number of students enrolled went from 715 to 632 — the same year the tuition max faced its biggest increase, from $30,900 to $32,000.

Sewickley Academy saw a jump in enrollment to 640 students during the 2018-19 school year and went down to 581 students for the 2020-2021 school year. The tuition max has continued to increase by $900-$1,200 each year.

Bayh Sullivan, director of enrollment at Shady Side Academy, said the school will be opening the 2021-22 school year with a record enrollment of an estimated 1,135 students in grades pre-K-12 across four campuses. Over the past five years, its annual tuition increases consistently have remained in the 2-4% range.

“This year we launched a new ‘Inclusive Tuition’ model, in which our tuition rates now include lunch, textbooks, academic and athletic trips, athletic team gear, yearbooks, Parents’ Association dues and more. This enables our students to enjoy the full Shady Side Academy experience without the burden of unforeseen costs or hidden fees,” Sullivan said.

Winchester Thurston School declined to provide a comment on its enrollment and tuition rates.