Established in 1916, The Ellis School is Pittsburgh's only age 3 Ð grade 12 independent girlsÕ school. The campus is located in the East End neighborhood of Shadyside, 5 miles from downtown. For 90 years we've known what the rest of the world is just now discovering: that girls learn best when their education is unequivocally, uncompromisingly valued; that girls lead strongly when it is their voice that is heard most loudly. Without the constraints of others, girls go everywhere and do everything. Before our eyes a magnificent transformation takes place. Our graduates become independent thinkers. They know how to wrestle with critical questions. They're confident, they're courageous. This is a unique place because of the pride students take in their school and the community trust you'll find here. At Ellis, there are no locks on the lockers. Students respect and value each other: peer friendships and role models are very important. As a group, they are geographically, economically, and ethnically diverse.