VIew book (Gwynedd)

I N N O VAT I O N

Education WISDOM Passion Confidence FAITH

RESPECT

I N S P I R AT I O N

TRUST

EMPOWERMENT

L E A D E R S H I P

Welcome to Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, where you are the future and the future is in your hands. Here, you can experience a 360º curriculum designed to educate, inspire, and empower future generations of women leaders. Gwynedd will challenge you academically, engage you psychically, nourish you spiritually—and welcome you into a unique community of strong, supportive women who will begin as friends, then grow and extend into a network of sisterhood, colleagues, and resources for life.

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH A GWYNEDD EDUCATION?

Gwynedd alumnae have gone forth to become prominent business leaders, diplomats in developing nations, leading scientists, respected physicians, inspiring educators, award-winning athletes, accomplished musicians and artists, women of purpose who serve both the local and global communities, and so much more. When you become a Gwynedd Girl, you get to write your own future.

When you become a Gwynedd Girl, you get to write your own future.

I N T E L L I G E N C E

CO N T E N TS

HER FUTURE.............. 04 ACADEMIC.................. 10 ARTS............................. 16 ATHLETICS..................20 SPIRIT........................... 24 SISTERHOOD.............. 28 ADMISSIONS.............. 33

Gwynedd at a Glance

OU R CA MPU S Within Gwynedd’s state-of-the-art facilities, students can dive into their passions and discover new ones.

• 47 beautiful acres set in Gwynedd Valley,

OUR HISTO RY

Montgomery County

In the 1800’s, our foundress Catherine McAuley recognized a cyclical oppression that

• 550-seat professional Performing Arts Center

unjustly targeted poor and uneducated women and children in Ireland. With God as her guide, Catherine opened the House of Mercy, where she empowered women with basic

• Professional Media Art Studio

life skills, ensuring their survival in society. She founded the Sisters of Mercy in 1831

• Stunning Music Amphitheater

as a means to continue empowering even more women, and her mission soon spread across the world, arriving in Pennsylvania in 1843. In 1861, the Academy of the Sisters of

• Advanced technology STEM Centers • Industry-grade Chemistry Lab • Spacious and collaborative Learning Commons • Fully-equipped TV Production Studio • Advanced Digital Media Arts Studio

• Multi-Sport Complex

Mercy opened its doors to help young women in the Philadelphia area and unlock their potential as human beings.

Today, Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School has been nurturing generations of women leaders for over 160 years. We believe that with every life we touch, we are further continuing the legacy of doing Catherine McAuley’s mission of Mercy proud.

OUR PR O M I SE Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School offers a progressive education with Catholic values, geared toward helping students find and follow their inner paths with curiosity, compassion, and grace. We integrate a focus on mind, body, and spirit into everything we do, from our curriculum to our extracurriculars to our strong service component.

OUR FA M I LY Gwynedd family. Your new classmates become a new network for life, expanding your friendship base. Being a part of the Gwynedd family is a ripple effect, as the network grows, the connections grow. From your classmates to your network for life, continues to expand and has a ripple effect. Part of being part of the Gwynedd family is engaging your family. As the network grows, the connection grows. Parents are a big part of life at Gwynedd. Our active Fathers’ Club hosts field trips to Phillies games and father/daughter service opportunities serving sessions at St. Vincent’s soup kitchen, while our Mother’s Club organizes student fashion shows, Mercy Hospice dinner at

2

GW Y NE DD

Christmastime, and more.

3

She is Ready to Shine.

A Gwynedd education is designed to nurture your mind, body, and spirit with a forward-thinking curriculum, close-knit community, and strong commitment to Catholic values. Whether you make the next big scientific breakthrough in one of our fully equipped STEM Labs, sing your heart out in our 550-seat Performing Arts Center, compete at the collegiate level on our multi sport complex or deepen your sense of purpose through one of our many Mercy missions, there are myriad opportunities to shape your future (and that of the world around you) here at Gwynedd.

4

5

“My future is my own; I can do whatever I want as long as I am willing to work hard for it.”

She is Making an Impact.

The desire to make a difference runs strong in Gwynedd Girls. 90% of our students volunteer for service projects during the school year: they serve at soup kitchens, work with Mercy Neighborhood Ministries, sponsor drives, fundraise for important causes, and more.

Recent service trips include hurricane relief efforts in Haiti and Puerto Rico, ecological recovery in Costa Rica, and education in Ireland. The Mercy spirit of service is inherent; when our students see a need for others, they leap to fill it.

G. Cattie ’19 She is Innovation in Action.

Our school is steeped in nearly 160 years of legacy and tradition, yet we always keep an eye toward the future: ours and yours. We are proud to offer such cutting-edge initiatives as:

• A CULTURE OF WELLNESS which holistically nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of every student.

• A ROWING TEAM to provide additional athletic and scholarship opportunities.

• T HE LEARNING COMMONS , a 21st-century collaborative workspace designed to stimulate research, connection, and discovery, it combines learning, technology and interaction to promote an authentic, student-focused learning environment.

• A competitive STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM providing professional internship opportunities in areas such as business, engineering, marketing and communications, and technology.

6

• The CATHERINE LEARNING PROGRAM , specialized academic support services for students with documented learning differences.

• A ROBOTICS PROGRAM , which helps students develop and hone an array of life skills including team-building, planning, project management, problem-solving, public speaking, strategic thinking and marketing—all while programming and building a robot of their own design.

90%

of our students volunteer for service projects during the school year.

• A MULTI-SPORT COMPLEX with a state-of-the-art turf field and enhanced natural grass field to support our rich athletic programming.

• Abundant opportunities for students as well as families to participate in MISSION-ORIENTED MINISTRY and service locally, nationally and internationally, furthering the mission of Mercy.

GW Y NE DD

• A STUDENT-CENTERED ACADEMIC SCHEDULE that allows for deep immersion in science labs, interdisciplinary projects, athletics, and extracurricular activities.

7

She is Active & Engaged.

Our hands-on internship program lets students learn more about a particular field, pursue passion projects, and experience professional life while still in school. Students can explore a variety of areas including business, engineering, technology, and marketing and communications. On-campus interns receive a stipend towards college tuition.

100%

She is Born to Lead.

of our graduates are accepted to 4-year colleges and universities

Generations of Gwynedd women have gone on to become leaders in their fields—and the world. It all began with Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, who turned her passion for helping the less fortunate and the oppressed women of Ireland in the 1800s into decades of opportunities for women across the world.

She is College-Bound.

Today, Catherine McAuley’s indomitable spirit lives on in our girls who continue to make a difference in the world for those less fortunate.

Recent alumnae have founded businesses, served as diplomats in developing nations, won medals in everything from swimming to figure skating, and even become the president of our school!

100% of our graduates are accepted to 4-year colleges and universities, and each year our students are awarded millions in scholarships and grants.

Gwynedd graduates are ready for college because Gwynedd Girls are not rushed through high school. Step by step, our students build upon their skill set every year. Our college preparation process begins the moment our students arrive and remains active long after acceptance letters start pouring in. Alongside academic knowledge, students gain invaluable skills in research, writing, time-management, and critical thinking, leaving them fully prepared for the rigors of college.

Being part of a close-knit network of ambitious, engaged women is an integral part of the Gwynedd Mercy experience. It’s why so many of our alumnae send their daughters (and their granddaughters) to Gwynedd.

College Preparation and Course

• S OPHOMORE CAREER ADVISORY that allows students to explore different paths and professions.

8

• J UNIOR COLLEGE ADVISORY to help navigate every aspect of the post-secondary admissions process, from standardized testing to writing effective college applications and essays.

• S ENIOR COLLEGE ADVISORY in the Fall focusing on application checklists and financial aid guidance. In the second semester, topics shift toward the transition to college life and strategies for success in the first year of college.

GW Y NE DD

• F RESHMAN ADVISORY to aid in adjusting to life in high school. In the second semester, this introduces freshmen to the software tools they will use when they are ready to begin their college search.

The Freshman Advisory also encourages them to find ways to make a meaningful impact in their high school community.

Catherine McAuley

9

She is Always Discovering.

At Gwynedd, you will acquire more than knowledge—you will learn how to think independently. Our 360º educational model engages you to the fullest, encouraging you to ask the tough questions and stay open to new ideas. Naturally, you will learn a lot.

But more importantly, you will experience the thrill of accomplishment that comes with mastering new skills.

10

11

She is Front and Center.

She is an Active Learner.

The most impactful schools are the ones that have an established single gender culture. Girls’ schools create a culture of achievement in which academic progress is of great importance, and the discovery and development of a girls individual potential is paramount. “Time in the classroom is spent learning.

Girls’ schools are a place where girls take center stage.

At an all-girls’ school, a girl occupies every role: every part in the play and every position on every team.

Not only does she have a wealth of avenues for selfexploration and development: she also has a wealth of peer role models.

At Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School, education is active and collaborative. Our teachers serve as facilitators and mentors, encouraging students to work together in discovery groups and take advantage of flexible workspaces and advanced technology. As a result, our students experience unparalleled access to a variety of information from different sources, so they can explore new possibilities and make exciting connections between life and learning.

The National Coalition of Girls Schools (NCGS) offers these benefits of attending an all-girls school: At a girls’ school, a girl occupies every role. She has a wealth of avenues for self-exploration and development and a school full of peer role models.

In her close-knit community, her individuality is nurtured and fed. As a result, a girl becomes more and more comfortable making her own decisions and determining the course of her own life. She becomes accustomed to speaking up and, more importantly, being heard.

She is Going Places.

Gwynedd’s student-centered, rotating daily schedule breaks through traditional or block formats to provide more innovative educational programming and increased quality of our students’ time. Extended period days allow time to explore subjects in-depth; from conducting labs to engaging in collaborative or interdisciplinary learning, exploring off-campus academic opportunities or passioned-based learning opportunities. A “flex time” built into daily schedules allows students the ability and independence to strategize and prioritize their focus. The scheduling also allows student athletes the ability to play and compete in away games.

At Gwynedd, we are intentional about creating the characteristics that girls will need to be leaders in a world that doubts the value of female leadership: courage, confidence, grit, and humor.

“The support from my teachers, the lessons learned from extracurricular activities, and the guidance from the counselors—came together at the end when I received my acceptance letter from my dream college.”

12

(contingent upon eligibility for higher level courses) • Theology • Honors English • World Cultures • Algebra 2 • Honors Biology • Spanish 2 • Public Speaking / Technology Resources / Intro to Art / Intro to Music (Quarterly Rotation)

SAMPLE SENIOR SCHEDULE (contingent upon eligibility for higher level courses) • Theology • AP Literature and Composition • AP World History • AP Calculus • Honors Anatomy and Physiology • Honors Spanish 5: Conversation and Composition

GW Y NE DD

V. Borlando’19

SAMPLE FRESHMEN SCHEDULE

• Introduction to Coding and Design

13

ACADEMIC CLUBS • GMA-TV • FIRST Robotics Program • Herstory (History Club) • I magination Collaboration (Literary Magazine) • Latin Club • Mathletes (JV and Varsity) • Mercy Magnet (Newspaper) • Mock Trial • Model UN • National Honor Society • Patrician (Yearbook) • Speech & Debate

Focus on: Speech & Debate Communication skills are essential for the successful future career of any student. The Gwynedd Speech and Debate team empowers our young women through opportunities to train and compete in varied forms of public speaking, interpretation, and debate.

According to the National Speech Debate Association (the largest National Honor Society in the world and one which the girls become members), schools who offer this activity report: • Increased test scores • Creative thinking and collaboration • Increase in leadership

The Catherine Learning Program

In the past few years, 5 Gwynedd Speech and Debate students have attained the prestigious Academic All American status, achieved by

Named for Mercy foundress Catherine

only one percent of NSDA member students.

bound students with documented

unique opportunities to visit and compete

learning differences. Each member of the

in local, regional and national competitions

program has a scheduled period each

throughout the year. The team regularly

day in which she works in conjunction

travels to colleges and universities

with our Learning Specialist to develop

across the country, including St. Joseph’s

individualized strategies for academic

University, University of Pennsylvania, Emory

success. In addition, the program provides

University, Princeton University, George

adaptive methods for improving student

Mason University, Harvard and Yale. These

learning and communication with parents

experiences enable our young women to

and faculty to help these students become

develop an independence and confidence

independent learners. Students who are

while navigating themselves through

part of The Catherine Learning Program

campuses and meeting other students from

will meet the same academic requirements

across the country and around the world.

of Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School.

GW Y NE DD

14

McAuley, this program serves college-

Additionally, team members benefit from

“

The Catherine Learning Program has been a godsend for my daughter and for us as her parents. It has allowed us to understand, embrace and accept that our daughter learns in a different way and faces different challenges that many do not understand. It has shined a light on what challenges she faces and how she can work through these challenges to become

”

her best.

-P'21

15

She is Center Stage.

How will you express yourself? Whether you come alive onstage, love the magic of a photography darkroom, or need music to fuel your soul, you’ll find a warm and encouraging environment for artistic expression at Gwynedd. Our annual Arts Festival allows you to showcase your work in visual arts and music, while our fall musical attracts crowds from the greater Philadelphia area. Many music students compete at the regional and state levels—and our select chorus have even performed at the Academy of Music, Citizens Bank Park, Longwood Gardens, and the White House!

Each year, the Gwynedd Art Department collaborates with the Science Department, Ministry & Service, and the Facilities teams to develop and maintain our Monarch Meadow, a butterfly way station to support the endangered Monarch— which is also our school mascot.

16

17

“I have had the honor and privilege to participate in Gwynedd’s Fall Musicals where I have met some of my very best friends in the world.

This experience gave us the opportunity to perform together and create something magical.”

She is Inspired and Inspiring.

Students get creative, experiment, and express themselves in our myriad arts clubs.

• F IELD TRIPS to see museums, symphonies, operas, and Broadway shows in Philadelphia and New York City

• Modern VISUAL ARTS STUDIO filled with natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Monarch Meadow

18

• Drama Club

• Stage Crew

• Girls with Guitars

• String Ensemble

• Glee Club

• Tri-M Music Honor Society • Dance Club

14

art clubs are available to students at Gwynedd Mercy High School.

• CERAMICS STUDIO with on-site kilns

• Participation in MUSIC COMPETITIONS including PMEA District, Region and State Chorus and Band; All-Catholic Band and Orchestra; Tri-County Youth Festival GW Y NE DD

CENTER

• School Musical

• Orchestra

We have top-of-the-line facilities and dozens of arts opportunities, so every student can find her muse.

• 550-seat professional PERFORMING ARTS

• Chorale

• Mercy Melismatics (a cappella)

She is Endlessly Creative.

• Fully-equipped DARKROOM

• Photography Club

• Liturgical Music

N. Sponholz ’ 20

• On-campus, PRIVATE LESSONS in a variety of different interests such as, piano, voice, guitar, brass, woodwinds, strings, harp, or percussion.

• Art Club

19

She is Going the Distance.

How will you express yourself ? Whether you come alive onstage, love the magic of a photography darkroom, or need music to fuel your soul, you’ll find a warm and encouraging environment for artistic expression at Gwynedd. Our annual Arts Festival allows you to showcase your work in visual arts and music, while our fall musical attracts crowds from the

Our athletic program fuels your mind, body, and spirit. Whether

greater Philadelphia area. Many music students compete at

you swim or dive, run cross-country or track, play field hockey or

the regional and state levels—and our select chorus has even

soccer at the highest level on our state of the art synthetic turf field, or take a turn on the river with our brand-new rowing team, participating in our athletic program will teach you leadership, teamwork, and personal goal-setting. Gwynedd Girls work hard

performed at the White House!

Each year, the Gwynedd art department collaborates with the

and play fair, with over 65% of our student body participating in

Science Department, Ministry & Service, and the Facilities

team sports.

teams to develop and maintain our Monarch Meadow, a butterfly way station to support the endangered Monarch— which is also our school mascot.

20

21

We are taught that when we fall seven times, we must get up eight.�

She is a Team Player.

We are proud to offer team sports for every season, including:

T. Flanigan ’20

FA L L

WINTER

SPRING

Crew

Basketball

Lacrosse

Cross Country

Indoor Track

Softball

Field Hockey

Swimming and Diving

Track and Field

Golf Soccer

Crew

Tennis Volleyball

She is In It to Win It.

22

GW Y NE DD

Gwynedd teams participate in the highly competitive ACAA league, and have established a perennial presence within District 1 and PIAA state level Championship tournaments.

Every year, a number of graduates go on to compete at the college level in D1, D2, and D3 teams, with several earning scholarships based on athletic merit.

23

She Embodies the Mercy Spirit.

As soon as you step foot on

It is a moral compass that will always

our campus, you can feel the

point you back to a life lived in the

Mercy Spirit.

spirit of Jesus Christ.

It is a sense of belonging and

It is a commitment to service that

purpose, passed down from our

is selfless, yet grounded in a deep

foundress Catherine McAuley and

knowledge of self.

continued through generations of women for over 160 years.

Gwynedd Girls live and breathe the Mercy spirit. Once you experience it,

It is a community that will always

it becomes a part of you for life.

be by your side, celebrating your successes and standing by you through your trials.

24

25

She is Living Tradition.

“ The Mercy Spirit works to create a just environment for all people, especially those who are vulnerable. Gwynedd Girls simply go out of their way to check on a friend, or ask a stranger how they are doing and how they can help?”

Our calendar is packed with annual traditions that bring us together and remind us of who we are.

• Alumnae Induction • Big Sister/Little Sister • Candlelight • Class Day • Connections Camp • George Valentine Auction • Graduation

• May Procession and Crowning of the Blessed Mother • Mercy Day • Mercy Mania • Ministry & Service • Mother/Daughter Liturgy and Brunch

• Junior Ring Day

• Senior Appreciation Day

• Junior and Senior Prom

• Senior-Freshman Picnic

• Kairos/Class Retreats

• Winter Formal Dance

A. Murray ’20

She is Joining Forces.

Every student has the chance to make a difference through Ministry and Service, our Leadership Organizations and our clubs. Where will you take up the lead?

• Diversity Club • Gwynedd Ambassadors

She is Going Global.

• Health Club • Ministry and Service • Peer Advisory League (PAL) • Respect Life

26

GW Y NE DD

• Student Council

Gwynedd Girls love to explore the world— near and far. Recent academic and service travel experiences have seen students exploring the natural wonders of Costa Rica, helping with hurricane relief in Haiti, and retracing Catherine McAuley’s steps at a Leadership conference in Ireland. Some of our students have also journeyed with organized service trips to locations such as Florida, New Orleans, Boston, Puerto Rico and Peru.

27

She is Part of a Sisterhood.

When we ask our alumnae what they remember most

about their time at Gwynedd, their answers are always the same: the people. Gwynedd Girls become a lifelong support network, standing by one another through college, career, and life’s greatest events.

28

29

She is Centered and Self-Aware.

She is in the Network.

There has never been a more exciting—or more complex—time to be a young woman. At Gwynedd we recognize the stress that many of today’s young women are under, and strive to serve as confidantes, sounding boards, and role models for every situation.

Gwynedd Girls face the future with confidence and determination. Some shatter the glass ceiling as business leaders, others change the world through government and non-profit work, and many model the Mercy spirit for future Gwynedd Girls. Yet no matter how far they travel or what they do, our graduates continue to come together throughout the year. Our alumnae events and traditions strengthen the school, our greater community, and the world. They also prove the adage is true: once you’re a Gwynedd Girl, you’re a Gwynedd Girl for life.

Our comprehensive, school counseling services support students both academically and emotionally in finding success and well-being. Whether our students questions about navigating high school, going on to college, figuring out what comes next, or a personal issue we are always by her side.

“The word sisterhood in our school has a meaning beyond the basic definition, we all love and care for one another and we have made friendships that will truly last a lifetime. The sisterhood is alive and can be seen through the ways we interact with each other, and most importantly we work together in everything we do.”

30

Starting high school can feel like a big change. We ease our students into this exciting new life-stage with extensive programs and services, including: • CONNECTIONS CAMP prior to the start of school in August, providing an opportunity for the freshman class to bond together through interactive activities, a Q&A with upperclassmen and much more.

• F RESHMAN ADVISORY on foundational study and time-management skills, personal learning style identification, and strategies for self-care and maintaining balance.

GW Y NE DD

H. Weiss ’20

She is Starting Strong.

• P EER ADVISORY LEAGUE (PAL) connecting students with peer mentors who meet regularly throughout the year with small groups of freshmen to discuss the transition to high school as well as important adolescent issues.

31

The best way to see what it’s like to be a Gwynedd Girl is to get on campus! Come visit and see for yourself!

32

GW Y NE DD

Future Monarchs, whether in 6th, 7th, or 8th grades, are welcomed to campus through a variety of events across the calendar year including: morning and evening tours, half day and full day visits (as part of the admissions process), summer camps, our annual open house, sporting events, shows, festivals, showcases, and more!

AP P LICATION P R OCESS

GETTING TO GWY NEDD

Please see our Admissions Supplement for current process regarding our application timeline, tuition information, financial aid literature, and scholarships offerings.

Getting here is easy! We’re located in suburban Montgomery County and conveniently accessible to students who attend from over 50 different zip codes. Some greater Philadelphia area school districts guarantee busing to students who live in their districts, and we also offer private busing from select Philadelphia locations for a fixed fee. Parking is available for junior and senior student-drivers.

R E A DY TO TA K E TH E N E X T STE P ?

Request more info at www. gmahs.org/admissions or give us a call at (215) 646-8815.

33

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 inherited 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.

1345 Sumneytown Pike P.O. Box 902 Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437 P (215)

646-8815

F (215)

646-4361

gmahs.org/admissions