Founded in 1915, Shady Hill serves students in pre-kindergarten (called 'Beginners' by the school) through 8th grade.

[2] The shortened form of SHS's mission statement is as follows: "Shady Hill School fosters joyful, active learning informed by multiple perspectives empowering students to be intellectually adventurous and wholeheartedly just.

"[3] Shady Hill was founded in 1915 by a group of Cambridge families, including John Hubbard Sturgis Jr., Agnes Boyle O'Reilly, and her husband William Ernest Hocking.

The Shady Hill School campus features eleven acres of tree-lined paths, wetlands, and ample grassy areas for play and team sports.

Apprentices have the opportunity through the Teacher Training Center (TTC) to spend the spring semester in local public schools.