Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Viewbook

My First Choice

gwynedd is my first choice More and more girls are making Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School their first choice. Why? Because they have high expectations. They know that Gwynedd Girls are taking more Advanced Placement (AP) classes, earning more academic awards, and getting accepted to selective colleges. Our students are also making their mark at the national level, attracting recognition in the arts, athletics, and community service.

Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is a top choice because our girls are intellectually curious, creative, motivated, and ready to make a difference in the world. They are smart and focused, with open hearts and a strong moral compass.

“ No work can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women.”

Catherine McAuley

the sisters of mercy Catherine McAuley, Foundress Catherine McAuley was born in Ireland in 1778. An inheritance later in life gave her the resources to build a house in Dublin and provide religious, educational, and social services to women and children. In 1831, she founded the Sisters of Mercy and began to envision her work as a means to spread Christian values and affect social change. Her life and works were a testament to this belief. The Sisters of Mercy saw education as the primary tool to help women find and achieve their full human potentials. This philosophy is the foundation of the many schools and educational programs around the world sponsored by today’s Sisters of Mercy. In 1861, it was this same mission and dedication to women that compelled the sisters to establish the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia. It was this school that eventually became Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2011.

Families are making Gwynedd their first choice because they value our School’s long held Spirit of Mercy and the nurturing environment on our vibrant campus.

Make Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School your first choice.

Molly

Swim Team, Ministry & Service, Respect Life Club

Gwynedd is my first choice for academics

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The thing I love most about Gwynedd is the accepting and positive atmosphere that embraces every girl who walks through the doors. The students are extremely welcoming and the teachers are very supportive and want to see you succeed. Gwynedd is different from other schools because the entire school community is overflowing with spirit, enthusiasm, and most importantly, the constant reminder of the importance of dedication to our faith as young, Catholic women. Gwynedd is preparing me to achieve my

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goals by challenging me each day in the classroom and motivating me to strive to be the best version of myself at all times.

academics the learning process Gwynedd Girls are focused, driven, and eager to learn. Everyone here has high standards and expectations, but grades are not our only measure of academic success. We care about the learning process and the journey, the challenge of opening girls’ minds to new ideas and concepts, and the thrill of accomplishment and confidence a student feels when she masters new skills.

our schedule Gwynedd Girls start each day diving into their classwork at 8:15am.

They have the option to carry six or seven courses a year. However, every ten days, each class is extended the equivalent of a double period of 80 minutes.

Extended periods can be used for science labs, allowing students to take multiple science courses at a time, for doubling up in another subject, or for collaborative project work. Our schedule also lets students more easily participate in clubs, activities, and sports teams during 9th Period. This is especially valuable for student-athletes who never have to miss class time for away games.

college preparatory All coursework at Gwynedd begins at the college prep level. We offer a broad range of honors classes and more AP classes than ever. As our students master core subject matter, they build strong skills in research, writing, time management, organization, and critical thinking. This combination makes sure that Gwynedd Girls develop as independent thinkers, ready to achieve in college.

sample sophomore sample senior roster roster U.S. History Theology Art Studio I Honors Biology French II English Honors Geometry

AP U.S. Government and Politics Pre-Calculus Human Anatomy and Physiology AP Literature and Composition Theology Economics and Business Law Graphic Design

academics collaborative learning The driving force behind everything we do is student interaction. Our faculty members are mentors and facilitators – not solely lecturers. Our girls collaborate with teachers and other students in discovery work groups, taking advantage of flexible work space and using interactive technology, including SMART technology, laptops and tablets.

“Despite the uniform, we do not have a cookie cutter mentality here. We want students to find out who they are and become the best unique, competent, compassionate individuals they can be...their true selves.�

Erin Battisto, History

first choice for all girls!

Long-term research shows that an all-girls education is an empowering and transformative experience. With fewer gender distractions, young women learn to be more confident, express their thoughts and opinions, accept leadership roles, dive into new learning experiences, and spend more time on schoolwork. Single-sex education is not merely a matter of separating girls and boys; it’s about making sure girls are the central focus. Gwynedd teachers know how to engage girls and understand what young women need to succeed in college. They prepare them for challenges they’ll face tomorrow by helping them fulfill their potentials each day.

To learn more about the benefits and research regarding all-girls’ education, visit the National Coalition of Girls Schools website at ncgs.org.

academic clubs and activities Book Club GMA-TV “Her”story (History) Club Language Culture Club Latin Club Imagination Collaboration (Literary Magazine) Mathletes (JV & Varsity) Mercy Magnet (Newspaper) Mock Trial National Honor Society Patrician (Yearbook) Science Club Speech and Debate Technology Club

Katie

Art Club, Ministry & Service, Speech & Debate

Gwynedd is my first choice for the arts

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I love the sense of community most at Gwynedd. I love that I have 100 sisters I can turn to and depend on for anything. I’ve met some of my closest friends in art class and Art Club. And our art teacher is fantastic! She totally lets us be free with our imaginations when we work, and we have EVERYTHING we need to do so.

My favorite medium is graphic pencil. I truly believe that with

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all the preparation Gwynedd provides us, I will get into my first choice college.

arts creativity In the studio, on the stage, and behind the scenes, Gwynedd Girls are creative and love to learn about the world through the arts. Whether you want to study the arts as an academic subject, a performance opportunity, or through a club, you will find many choices here. Painting, piano, sculpture, music technology, graphic design…whatever your passion, you can follow it here.

arts clubs & activities Art Club Chorale Drama Club Girls with Guitars Glee Club Liturgical Music Mercy Melismatics (a Cappella) Orchestra Photography Club School Musical Stage Crew String Ensemble Tri-M Music Honor Society

arts opportunities Through music, theater, dance, and visual arts, Gwynedd Girls explore their imaginations and develop lifelong skills. They feel fortunate to collaborate with faculty members who are also practicing artists and musicians. Our facilities include bright visual art studios, a dark room, several kilns, and music practice rooms.

The music room features a musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) workstation with digital mixer and 20 MIDI keyboards supporting MAC, PC and iPad. Our Performing Arts Center is a modern 550-seat venue where we host a Broadway musical each fall that draws audiences from across greater Philadelphia. Our music students participate in highly competitive music festivals including, PMEA District; Region and State Chorus and Band; All-Catholic Chorus, Band and Orchestra; and Tri-County Youth Festival. Motivated music students may take private lessons during the school day without having to leave campus, with options to study Piano, Voice, Guitar, Woodwinds, Strings and Percussion.

Allie

Swim Team, Science Club, Gwynedd Ambassadors, National Honors Society

Gwynedd is my first choice for athletics

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There is a lot expected of Gwynedd athletes, but everything we do is always consistent with the school’s mission as a Mercy school. That’s the driving force—to live a life of mercy and get the most out of our God-given gifts. I want to improve

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my times, but also at the same time, I want to have fun.

It’s a great approach to high school athletics.

athletics go monarchs Gwynedd’s sport teams participate in the highly competitive AACA League and have established a perennial presence within District 1 and state level Championship Tournaments. The number of student-athletes continuing to play at the college level is increasing. Gwynedd Monarchs are disciplined players who value scholastic achievement as much as athletic competition.

They work hard and play fair. Over 65% of our students participate on athletic teams. Our athletic program is an integral part of the educational process. It motivates students to become leaders, promotes school spirit and achievement, and improves physical abilities—this is what Gwynedd athletics is all about.

“ My players are eager to learn and work hard each and every day. They are challenged in the classrooms, on the fields, on the courts, in the pools, and on the courses—empowering each to develop her own unique talents and abilities as she strives to leave here as a competent and compassionate Christian woman.”

Terri Fasano, Athletic Director, former parent ’09 & ’13

team sports Fall Cross Country Field Hockey Golf Soccer Tennis Volleyball Winter Basketball Indoor Track Swimming and Diving Spring Lacrosse Softball Track and Field

Gwynedd is my first choice for Mercy Spirit

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My favorite thing about Gwynedd is the community. From the teachers to the students to the staff to the coaches—it’s an all-around amazing community of welcoming and understanding people. I’ve never experienced anything like it anywhere else.

The Mercy Spirit makes a difference to me because it’s much more than just being nice or helping someone. It’s what defines Gwynedd and the students here. I’m not sure exactly what it is I hope to do in the future, but I do know that

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no matter what it is, Gwynedd will help me get there, and I will always carry the Mercy Spirit with me.

Julia

Diff ’rent Strokes (Diversity Group), Project Mercy

mercy spirit circle of mercy Once you’re a Gwynedd Girl, the Mercy Spirit will be with you forever. At Gwynedd, we teach girls to look inward to discover who they really are and who they want to be. For more than 150 years we have empowered young women to live the Spirit of Mercy, making social change through education.

We are a college preparatory school, but college acceptance is not our only goal. What makes us special is our firm belief in the importance of extending our Circle of Mercy and making the world a better place.

first choice for making a difference!

first choice for traditions!

Gwynedd is more than a school—it’s a sisterhood and a community. Here are just a few of the many special traditions we celebrate together throughout the year: Alumnae Induction Big Sister/Little Sister Candlelight Class Day Class Retreats Connections Camp Family Liturgy and Brunch Father/Daughter Dance Graduation Harvest Mixer Junior Ring Day

Kairos May Procession/ May Queen Mercy Day Mercy Mania Mother/Daughter Spring Supper Prom Senior Appreciation Day Senior Mother/ Daughter Mass and Brunch

service & leadership groups Diff’rent Strokes Gwynedd Ambassadors Health Club Ministry and Service Peer Advisory League (PAL) Respect Life SpeakUp! Spirit Club Student Council

On average, nearly 90% of our student body participates in some form of service during the school year, not because they have to, but because they want to. Gwynedd’s commitment to service throughout all areas of the school has helped us achieve national awards, and each year, students give thousands of hours to local, national, and international initiatives. Gwynedd girls volunteer at soup kitchens, work with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, serve Christmas dinner at Mercy Hospice, sponsor drives, fundraise for important causes, and more.

Because of our Mercy tradition of service, giving back is a cornerstone of student life at Gwynedd.

“All schools are steeped in some sort of a tradition. In my travels, no school— not one—respects and fosters the ideals of the school’s mission like Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School.”

John Knebels, English

Elizabeth

Swim Team, Lacrosse Team, Ministry & Service

Gwynedd is my first choice for her future

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I have and will continue to recommend Gwynedd to everyone I meet! We’ve had nothing but good experiences here. The education is top notch and the fact that it is all girls means there’s no pressure to distract our daughter. Gwynedd’s focus is on the whole girl and really preparing her to enter the real world when school is over. The price is well worth it. When she graduates, Elizabeth hopes to study to be a pediatric nurse. We’ve seen a total change in our daughter, from an introverted so-so student

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to someone who wants to go out and conquer the world— and we believe she will do it!

Jeanette King, mother of Elizabeth ’18

her future the value of a mercy education Gwynedd is for girls from families who put a high value on education.

We recognize that sending your daughter here is a financial commitment.

However, think of a Gwynedd education as a lifelong investment in your daughter’s future. You can’t put a value on your child’s happiness, but you can be sure that the investment you make in tuition today will payoff in your daughter’s success in college, career, and life.

college placement Gwynedd graduates are prepared for college.

Our Counseling Center supports them every step of the way—from taking the right classes to researching college options to writing the most effective essay and application. Freshman Seminar helps new students adjust to high school life and academics. The Sophomore Career Class lets students explore career options and discover their interests and strengths. Our Junior and Senior College Advising Class covers everything students (and parents) need to know about the college application process. Our advisors help each girl find the “right fit” college. We’re proud that our seniors earn college and National Merit scholarships and grants. On average, our graduating classes earn $13.5 million in scholarships and grants.

first choice for lasting legacy! “ All these years later, all my best friends are from here. There’s a connection and spirit here that’s hard to explain. I knew my girls would be fine anywhere. I wanted them to be happy.

That’s why we chose Gwynedd.”

Colleen Cody Araco ’89 Mother of Ally ’16 and Tori ’18

first choice for college success!

Historically, 100% of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School graduates attend colleges and universities such as: American University Boston College Carnegie Mellon University Drexel University Elon University Fairfield University Fordham University - Lincoln Center Campus/Rose Hill Campus Georgetown University Gwynedd-Mercy University Haverford College Hofstra University James Madison University Johns Hopkins University Lafayette College Lehigh University Loyola University Maryland Moore College of Art and Design New York University Northeastern University Pennsylvania State University, University Park Princeton University Providence College Quinnipiac University Saint Joseph’s University Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University The Catholic University of America The George Washington University The University of Scranton Trinity College Dublin United States Naval Academy University of Dayton University of Delaware Villanova University

Come for a visit make gwynedd your first choice There’s a lot more to Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School than can fit between the covers of this book. The only way to get a real sense of our beautiful setting, our friendly community, and our outstanding programs is to visit. It’s never too early to come to campus. Come to our Open House, fall musical, or a sporting event. Visit with a Gwynedd girl for a day, or take advantage of any number of other chances to visit our school, and then you’ll understand why so many girls are making Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School their first choice!

visit gmahs.org/admissions for details.

contact us Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School Admissions Office P.O. Box 902 1345 Sumneytown Pike Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0902 Phone: 215-646-8815 ext. 306 Fax: 215-646-4361

our mission Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, a Catholic college-preparatory school encourages young women to live and act justly in the spirit of Jesus Christ and to follow in the tradition of mercy and service handed down from Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy. Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School respects individual differences and challenges each student to achieve academic excellence. Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School empowers each student to develop her unique talents and abilities and to become a competent and compassionate Christian woman.

© Design and Primary Photography: Peapod Design, New Canaan, CT | Copywriting: Tracey Palmer Supporting Photography: Bradley Digital, Philadelphia, PA, Kimberly Dunphy Scott ’84

“Let us take one day only in hands at a time.

Resolve to do good today and better tomorrow.�

Catherine McAuley

gwynedd mercy academy high school P.O. Box 902 1345 Sumneytown Pike Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437-0902 Tel: 215.646.8815 gmahs.org