Mercy High School Info Book 2022-23

SIS

Personal Focus. Global Perspective. Mercy Changes Everything.

DEAR FUTURE MERCY FAMILY,

At Mercy High School, girls always come first! In the classroom; in student council; and in every competition, performance, and pep rally, our girls lead. Our innovative academic and co-curricular programs connect accomplished and inspiring women with our girls. And, generations of alumnae tell us very clearly that their life-changing Mercy education helped them find their voices, break barriers, and make history!

As a leading independent school for girls in the region, our mission to provide world-class academics and support the growth and achievement of girls is stronger than ever. Standing as the only Catholic girls’ school in the Baltimore area authorized to offer the highly rigorous International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, Mercy is a school of choice for discerning families. Together with a steadfast focus on the excellence and innovation that distinguish a Mercy education, our institutional-wide commitment to equity and inclusion—and to continually working to be the best Mercy we can be—are at the forefront of a future full of hope for Mercy High School.

We have created numerous ways for you to get to know Mercy better and to explore our exceptional campus—modern classrooms, professional performance spaces, and expansive gymnasium and playing fields, including the premier AstroTurf field in the state. I am confident that you will experience our warm and caring community and personal attention for which we are known. As impressive as our programs and our 26-acre campus are, the real strength of our community comes from our Mercy values. Hospitality, service, justice, excellence, and compassion motivate us as we prepare Mercy Girls to become the leaders our world needs.

Our Mercy values mean that each Mercy Girl is an important individual in her own right, created in the image of God. We provide each student an individualized experience that recognizes her learning style, areas of strength and development, and college and career goals. Those Mercy values also connect us to a powerful network of Mercy schools in the United States and around the world.

I invite you to experience the magic of Mercy and to discover how our personal focus and global perspective help girls succeed and lead now and in the future.

Sincerely,

Mary Beth Lennon ’85 President, Mercy High School

DEAR FUTURE MERCY GIRL AND MERCY FAMILY,

As our Mercy Girls grow, it is with joy that we see them develop their voices, try new things, and take pride in their authentic selves. The most important job of an educator is to prepare students for the future. As the future is ever-evolving, we must therefore prepare students to think critically, creatively solve problems, persevere, and value differences so that they can confidently take on whatever their futures hold. Animated by our Mercy, Catholic values, we must guide them to develop spiritually, inspire them to serve others, and help them to recognize that every person is unique, valuable, and made in the image of a loving God.

To do this, we form a community that challenges and supports each Mercy Girl to hone her strengths and develop areas in need of growth. We continue to innovate in order to prepare them both academically and personally for a complex world. We curate rigorous academic experiences through our courses, signature programs, and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Through student activities, clubs, athletics, and the arts, Mercy Girls make memories that last a lifetime. The Mercy sisterhood that develops in the halls and classrooms follows our graduates as they become Women of Mercy.

What makes Mercy so special is the balance we strike between tradition and innovation, inspired by Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, who used this to her great advantage. One of my own favorite traditions is Mercy Day/Ring Day. Mercy Day is celebrated by all Mercy institutions and reminds us that our Mercy mission is larger than just our school. The fact that our Ring Day is celebrated on Mercy Day binds our girls not only to their alma mater, but to their Mercy family around the world and reminds them of the legacy they are joining. Catherine’s mission was to bring together women and girls of diverse backgrounds and circumstances so that they could help to build a more peaceful and just society.

I am honored to be serving as principal of Mercy High School, a place that I have called home for the past nine years. As you continue to discover all that makes Mercy so magical, I hope that you will feel the spirit of Mercy hospitality welcoming you to make this your home too.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Adelsberger Principal, Mercy High School

INSPIRED BY CATHERINE MCAULEY, ROOTED IN CATHOLIC FAITH

A Mercy education is firmly grounded in the Catholic tradition and the legacy of the Sisters of Mercy and their founder, Catherine McAuley.

Catherine felt called to works of mercy. In order to provide education and health care to Dublin’s poor, especially women and children, she built a house on Baggot Street. The House of Mercy was officially opened on September 24, 1827, the feast of Our Lady of Mercy. Other women joined Catherine there, and on December 12, 1831 she and two other women professed religious vows, thus founding the Sisters of Mercy.

The Sisters of Mercy envision a just world for people who are poor, sick, and uneducated. In addition to the three vows (poverty, chastity, and obedience) all Catholic sisters take, Sisters of Mercy also take a fourth vow of service.

At Mercy High School, we are committed to service, along with hospitality, justice, excellence, and compassion. We are proud to carry forward the extraordinary legacy of Mercy education in Baltimore, which began at Mount Saint Agnes in 1867. Our Catholic Identity is found in curricular offerings, prayer and liturgical life, retreats, and service opportunities and is strengthened by our global connections to the Sisters of Mercy, to 196 secondary schools around the world, and to the Mercy Education System of the Americas, which unites and serves schools to nurture highly competent and deeply compassionate leaders ready to serve a vulnerable world.

Daguerrotype of Mother Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, c. 1840

TURF

THE FRANCES WARDE SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM

Compassion and service are among the core values at Mercy High School. Thus, personal reflection, relationships, and a generous response to the needs of others are the foundation of Service Learning at Mercy.

In the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy and in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, our students are given the opportunity to experience service learning by sharing their time, talent, and treasure with our neighbors in need. Throughout her years at Mercy, each student will complete a minimum of 40 hours of service (not including school-wide service events and drives), and students are encouraged to engage in direct service for a majority, or if they choose, all of their service hours.

Once students begin their service, they are expected to meet the posted deadlines regarding completion of a specified number of hours within a certain time period.

In addition to serving for at least 40 hours, students are required to complete a culminating project. Students may choose one of the following culminating projects to be presented at a Service Fair in the spring semester of their junior year:

m A PowerPoint™ presentation

m A tri-fold poster

m A reflection paper

m A documentary/video

m A visual art piece

m Another project which the student proposes, and which the Service Learning Committee approves, that displays the student’s service learning experience.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME

Mercy High School believes that students should pursue excellence in all aspects of their education. To that end, Mercy High School is proud to offer the highly respected International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP), in which all 9th and 10th graders participate.

Our commitment as a Mercy school to deliver challenging programs to a diverse and inclusive community and to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect is a natural fit with the philosophy of the IB.

Authorization as an IB World School is recognition of the high quality of teaching and learning at Mercy. In an IB classroom at Mercy, our specially trained teachers help students to be collaborative, creative, and reflective in their learning. Student learning is organized around larger themes that help girls make connections among different disciplines. Compared to their peers, IB students tend to go to university at higher rates, go to more selective universities, and perform better once there. Most importantly, our academic program sparks a true, lifelong love of learning in our students!

TEN WAYS THE IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO BECOME CREATIVE, CRITICAL, AND REFLECTIVE LEARNERS

In the IB Middle Years Programme, students…

1. Ask how things happen and why

2. Consider the larger picture—locally, nationally, or globally.

3. Sharpen their verbal and written communication skills.

4. Take a deeper dive into their own talents and interests.

5. Master how to organize, schedule, and plan their work.

6. Take on difficult tasks with coaching on strategies for success.

7. Make connections across disciplines so that patterns and themes begin to emerge.

8. Learn by doing and experiencing

9. Discover the value of persistence.

10. Determine how to best use their gifts and talents to create a better world.

At Mercy, you’ll receive the rigorous liberal arts education you need to excel in college and beyond. You’ll explore art, science, language and literature, technology, religion, history, world languages, mathematics, and what’s more, how they all come together.

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS AT MERCY

You may already have a passionate interest in a certain subject—something that you’re ready to investigate more deeply as you enter high school. If you have a special interest in science, medicine, technology, social justice, performing arts, visual arts, writing, or law, or if you just want to challenge yourself academically, Mercy has unique opportunities for you.

Applications for our special programs must be submitted along with your application for admission to Mercy and may be found online at www.mercyhighschool.com. Space is limited for these prestigious programs—please submit your application on time to be considered!

If you’re not sure right now what career path you would like to explore, don’t worry! In sophomore year, students can apply for Mercy’s Mentor Program. One of the very first programs of its kind among Baltimore area private schools, the Mentor Program allows Mercy juniors to shadow leading professionals in a variety of exciting careers.

WOMEN IN MEDICINE PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MERCY MEDICAL CENTER

The Women in Medicine Program is a unique partnership between Mercy High School and Mercy Medical Center. It is an opportunity for young women with an interest in medicine and the health professions to regularly visit Mercy Medical Center and observe and meet with leading medical professionals in a specialized healthcare environment. The goal of this four-year program is to increasingly expose students to outstanding women leaders in health-related careers, broaden their knowledge of medical fields, and expand their understanding of the qualities and skills necessary to be a successful health care professional.

The program is open to qualified 9th graders and will continue throughout their enrollment at Mercy High School. There are limited spaces available each year for this highly prestigious program, the only one of its kind in Baltimore. For students considering a career in health care—as a physician, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, or research scientist—this program offers an unparalleled experience.

During her junior year, each student participates in a group case study with a mentor employed by the hospital. Students will research appropriate courses of treatment based upon the patient’s presenting symptoms. Throughout the course of the case study, each student will fulfill the role of a member of the patient’s medical team to recommend next steps. As the patient’s circumstances change, assignments on the medical team will as well, allowing students to explore multiple professional roles within the medical field. During her senior year, each student will continue to work on the case study and will provide an overview of the patient’s background and treatment recommendations based on clinical research to the Mercy High School community.

Please submit a completed Women in Medicine application form along with all other required admission materials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Excellent mathematics and science preparation and skill level

m Strong standardized test results

m Strong High School Placement Test (HSPT) results

m Well-written and thoughtful applicant statement

m Completed supplemental application

CURRICULUM

9th Grade Biology or Biology Honors, Algebra I or II, or Geometry

10th Grade Introduction to Physical Science or Introduction to Physics (Honors), next level of mathematics

11th Grade Chemistry or Chemistry Honors, next level of mathematics, consideration of case studies with a team of students representing medical professionals

12th Grade Physics (Honors), Biology II (Honors), or AP Biology, next level of mathematics, presentation of case study and its results to the Mercy community

WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

The four-year Women in Technology Program is designed to introduce students to a more intense and broader technology experience. The program will provide an opportunity for Mercy students to explore career paths in technology and to gain both experience and in-depth knowledge in various information technology areas. The Women in Technology Program includes programming; software design; hardware design; networking; operating systems; website design and management; computer graphics; audio and video editing; computer and network security; computational thinking; applications in information technology and information systems; emerging technologies; social issues involving cyber security, privacy, and copyright; and the global impact of technology. Students graduating from this program will be better prepared to enter technology-oriented college disciplines that can lead to high-tech careers in Baltimore and beyond.

Please submit a completed Women in Technology application form along with all other required admission materials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Completed supplemental application

m Well-written and thoughtful applicant statement, submitted as a video

m Strong grades in middle school

CURRICULUM

m 3 credit sequence of computer science courses including: Design Technology, Programming I and II, and AP Computer-Science Principles

m Guest speakers and field trips

m Webinars in areas of interest

m Independent study course

m Mentorship opportunities

m Networking with women leaders in technology fields

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE PROGRAM

The Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science Program is a four-year, nationally recognized program that allows students to explore the biomedical science area of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics or medicine) fields. Over the course of their high school careers, students will take a four-year sequence of classes focused on biomedical science.

The rigorous and relevant Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science curriculum allows students to take on the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, forensic science, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.

Each course in the Biomedical Science sequence builds on the skills and knowledge students gained in the preceding courses. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.

Please submit a completed Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science application form along with all other required admissions materials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Completed supplemental application

m Well-written and thoughtful applicant statement

m Strong grades in middle school mathematics and science courses

m Strong standardized test scores

CURRICULUM

9th Grade Principles of Biomedical Science

10th Grade Human Body Systems

11th Grade Medical Interventions

12th Grade Capstone Course—Biomedical Innovation

These courses will be taken in addition to the regular science and mathematics courses that all students at Mercy are required to complete.

THE SISTER AGNESE NEUMANN SCHOLARS PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL

The Sister Agnese Neumann Scholars Program is in partnership with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, which allows students hands-on experience in health care. This program exposes students to key specialties at MedStar Good Samaritan: aging science, occupational and physical therapy, nursing, and community/public health. Students will receive hands-on training in fundamental skills including CPR, patient safety training, infection prevention, and first-responder training. They will also attend special professional development sessions at the hospital that focus on cutting-edge topics in health care. The program spans three academic years and culminates with a summer internship.

This three-year program is open to incoming 9th graders and rising 10th graders. A limited number of spaces are available in this highly competitive program. The program’s name honors the first chair of Mercy’s science department, Sister Agnese Neumann, RSM, who went on to a career as a nurse practitioner. Sister Agnese continues to be actively involved as a volunteer at Mercy High School.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Excellent mathematics and science preparation and skill level

m Strong standardized test results

m Strong High School Placement Test (HSPT) results

m Well-written and thoughtful applicant statement

m Completed supplemental application

CURRICULUM

9th Grade Biology or Biology Honors, Algebra I or II, or Geometry

10th Grade Introduction to Physical Science or Introduction to Physics (Honors), next level of mathematics

11th Grade Chemistry or Chemistry Honors, next level of mathematics

Summer Internship practicum at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital

12th Grade Physics (Honors), Biology II (Honors) or AP Biology, next level of mathematics

LAW AND SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAM

The Law and Social Action Program provides students with opportunities to evaluate how interdependence, as well as political, legal, social, and economic change, affect all communities, with a focus on both globalization and sustainable development. A study of social change through governance, social and legal policy, and justice provides students with an understanding of both individual and systemic power throughout their four years at Mercy. Students will be encouraged to engage in innovative, responsible action, culminating in the presentation of their Capstone experiences at a Law and Social Action Consortium.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Excellent English and social studies preparation and skill level

m Strong standardized test results

m Strong High School Placement Test (HSPT) results

m Well-written and thoughtful applicant statement

m Completed supplemental application

CURRICULUM

Year One Attend three to four informational Symposia, keep a journal with a reflective assignment after each Symposium, and participate actively in one to two extra-curricular clubs/ organizations

Year Two Attend four informational Symposia, participate in field trips focused on public policy, keep a journal with a reflective assignment after each Symposium, navigate applicable and rigorous coursework, produce the 10th grade Personal Project related to action research/critical concern, and continue participation in one to two extracurricular clubs/organizations

Years Three Work in collaboration to present material for Symposia; participate in the Mentor Program to Four (encouraged); study Global Politics, Baltimore: A study of historical and contemporary legal and social policy, Law and Social Justice, and a world language; take additional electives that complement the program; and hold a leadership position in one of the two extra-curricular clubs/organizations. Students may take advantage of possible internship opportunities.

Capstone 11th and 12th grade Law and Social Action Program students are encouraged to participate in the following: Mercy Girl Effect Conference, Ignatian Family Teach-In, Baltimore Student Diversity Leadership Conference (AIMS), summer programs supported by the American Bar Association, and/or internships. Students report on their experiences at a Law and Social Action Consortium.

VISUAL ARTS PROGRAM

Mercy’s four-year Visual Arts Program is for students with a serious interest in developing their artistic skills and in potentially pursuing the visual arts such as painting, drawing, sculpture, etc. in college or in their future careers.

The sequence of classes is designed to prepare students to create a varied portfolio to be submitted for Advanced Placement Studio Art credit in senior year. Art students at Mercy explore the elements, principles, and history of art; develop their observational, creative, and critical skills; and learn to work in a variety of media—pencil, charcoal, clay, acrylic, tempera, watercolor, and more. Seniors are invited to select and display their best works within the Mercy community. Mercy’s visual artists have gone on to exceptional careers as professional painters, art instructors, graphic designers, and fashion designers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Completed supplemental application

m Well-written and thoughtful applicant statement

m Portfolio review by Mercy’s Art Department

CURRICULUM

9th Grade Basic Design (half-credit course)

10th Grade Introduction to Drawing (half-credit course)

11th Grade Introduction to Studio Technique: Mark Making (full-credit course)

12th Grade Introduction to Painting (full-credit course), optionally, Studio Art

DANCE PROGRAM

Mercy’s Dance Program is a college preparatory, conservatorial program within the Fine Arts Department that emphasizes both the technical and artistic training of students. This premiere program offers students numerous opportunities to study with professional and alumnae guest artists in our dance studio and perform on stage in the widely acclaimed Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Auditorium.

There are multiple components of our program:

The Dance Troupe

One of Mercy’s signature programs, The Dance Troupe, is a co-curricular, comprehensive, and sequenced college preparatory program for experienced dancers. The Mercy Dance Troupe is selected by audition in the second semester of 8th grade or in the spring of every year. The Dance Troupe earns academic credit and meets an average of four days a week. In addition to rigorous instruction in the genres of dance, The Dance Troupe performs several times during the year including the formal dance concert in the spring. The Dance Troupe has appeared with the Independent Dance Network, an organization providing performance opportunities and master classes to students enrolled in private schools in Maryland. The Dance Troupe was also selected to perform for the Annual Archdiocesan Gala at the Marriott Harborplace East. Dancers work with the director of dance and with professional guest artists, choreographers, and teachers. Members of The Dance Troupe have earned awards in the Maryland Distinguished Scholar Program and have studied dance at the baccalaureate level. Many graduates are teaching dance in studios and schools, choreographing, and performing professionally all over the country.

The Apprentice Dance Company

The Apprentice Dance Company is designed for students with a desire, passion, and potential for dance, but with a more limited dance background. Apprentice Dance Company dancers are selected by audition in the second semester of 8th grade or in the spring of every year. Dancers participate in technique classes held during the school day, as well as choreography rehearsals held one day a week after school. The program focuses on developing technical skills in the genres of ballet, modern dance, and jazz dance, with exposure to improvisation, composition, and choreography. The Apprentice Dance Company also performs several times throughout the year and has the opportunity to work with guest artists.

CURRICULUM

Mercy’s Dance Troupe is a full-year, co-curricular activity, which takes place after the regular school day. Apprentice Dance Company is a full-year program that combines a class during the school day with after school rehearsals. Participants who fulfill the commitments set by the director of dance during the school year earn partial academic credit for their Fine Arts graduation requirement. Mercy also offers a course titled Dance Exploration for All in which no previous dance experience is necessary.

CATHERINE McAULEY HONORS PROGRAM

Students who are invited into the Catherine McAuley Honors Program demonstrate a desire for rigorous academic challenge and the confidence to succeed as a thinker and a scholar. McAuley Scholars achieve mastery beyond essentials in a learning environment that will excite them.

In freshman year, McAuley Scholars take the honors sections of the regular curriculum with their mathematics courses determined by placement testing. At the end of freshman year, they are given the opportunity to choose honors study in at least two disciplines to be continued over the next three years.

In junior year, McAuley Scholars begin work on their Capstone Projects. The Capstone Project is the conclusion or synthesis of the McAuley Scholar experience. It should reflect thought, passion, and academic research. The Scholar will share the fruits of her labor with the Mercy community. Capstone Projects may reflect interest or research in multiple disciplines—Scholars may, for example, develop programs or events for the Mercy community, conduct an in-depth literary analysis, design and execute a scientific study, write a play or novel, or compose a piece of music.

There is no application for the McAuley Honors Program. Invitations to qualified candidates to join the program will be in their acceptance packages, sent in February.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Above average grades in middle school mathematics and science courses

m Above average standardized test scores

m In the top 25% of scores on the HSPT among all Mercy applicants

CURRICULUM

9th Grade Take required honors sections of United States History, Biology, and English Language and Literature (mathematics and world language based on placement testing and/or prior coursework)

10th Grade Continue honors coursework in at least two academic disciplines

11th Grade Begin work on a Capstone Project and continue honors coursework in at least two disciplines

12th Grade Complete and present a Capstone Project to the Mercy community

Participate in at least two honors courses per year from 10th to 12th grade. Demonstrate leadership in one co-curricular or extracurricular activity each year.

SISTER MICHELLE CARROLL LEARNING SERVICES PROGRAM

Recognizing the inherent gifts and talents of each Mercy Girl, the Sister Michelle Carroll Learning Services Program offers students with documented learning differences or diagnosed mild to moderate languagebased learning disabilities a highly personalized program in a challenging and inclusive academic setting that will prepare them to become successful and confident learners in high school, college, and beyond.

This four-year program, honoring Mercy’s founding principal Sister Michelle Carroll, supports students as they access Mercy’s rigorous college prep academic program. Our highly experienced learning specialists create an individual support plan for each student that formalizes the student’s accommodations and is based on her full educational-psychological evaluation. Each student is placed in appropriate Mercy classes with support meetings based on the level of service needed. Our learning specialists help students develop organization, note-taking skills, time management, self-advocacy, and study strategies to become more confident and successful in the classroom. Reading instruction and remediation is provided when appropriate.

Our learning specialists work closely with Mercy’s outstanding faculty. The program staff is available to assist teachers with implementing accommodation plans, monitoring extended-time testing, and helping with classroom instructional concerns.

SELECTION CRITERIA

m Indicate an interest in the Carroll Learning Services Program on your application.

m Submit any educational plan from your current school.

m Submit a current psychological-educational evaluation including, but not limited to, WISC and Woodcock Johnson test scores that should:

• State the specific disability as diagnosed, using DSM V classification.

• Be no older than three years.

• Describe the comprehensive testing and techniques used to arrive at the diagnosis.

• Provide the professional credentials of the evaluator(s).

• Describe the specific accommodations needed, including the amount of extended time required.

m Meet with the director of the Carroll Learning Services Program by phone or in person.

CURRICULUM: PERSONAL FOCUS

The Carroll Learning Services Program offers two distinct levels of support for girls. Our learning specialists assess each student’s progress regularly and evaluate their needs on an annual basis.

Level One: Serving Students with Language-based Learning Disabilities

In this program offering intensive support, girls diagnosed with language-based learning disabilities such as dyslexia meet with their assigned learning specialist three times a week. Students receive both 2:1 and individualized instruction in study skills that include organization, time management, self-advocacy, and study strategies using course content and texts as well as direct instruction in reading using proven methods.

Level Two: Serving Students with Learning Differences

In this program offering moderate support, girls diagnosed with learning differences meet with their assigned learning specialist to help them develop organization, time management, self-advocacy, and study strategies to become confident learners. Emphasis is placed on skill-based instruction using course content and texts to teach skills. Girls meet with their learning specialist in small groups (2:1) twice a week for their first year. In years two through four, girls meet with their learning specialist once a week.

FEES Program participation fees are announced annually in February in conjunction with the following year’s tuition.

ATHLETICS AT MERCY

Mercy’s 26-acre wooded campus, spacious gymnasium, and two new athletic fields give us the home team advantage. Opened in 2019, our multisport Sisters of Mercy Athletic Complex featuring a premier AstroTurf Field, digital video scoreboard and nighttime lights, is home to the Mercy Magic! Mercy boasts championship teams in cross country (2021), softball (2021), basketball (2021-22), lacrosse (2017, 2018, 2019, 2022) and golf (2019). Become part of Magic Nation!

WHICH SPORTS CAN I PLAY?

Fall: Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball

Winter: Basketball, Cheer, Indoor Track and Field

Spring: Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track and Field, Softball

Athletes generally practice each day after school during their season. Many students are multiple season athletes and participate in other school activities and extracurriculars.

THE GIRLS’ ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Student athletes at Mercy are encouraged to join the Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) to become involved with the community beyond the field. GAA members plan spirit events for the school, participate in community service projects, and hold fundraisers for their teams. At the end of each year, GAA members plan a special Athletic Awards Ceremony honoring athletes and their contributions to their teams and to Mercy as a whole.

MAGIC MEDIA CLUB

The Magic Media Club specializes in game day production, creative content, graphic design, and communications. Members are required to go to Varsity and JV home games all year, and they play an integral part in running Mercy’s digital video scoreboard!

THE CLASSIC

Maryland’s largest girls athletic event

The Mercy Magic and the Maryvale Lions meet each other on the basketball court in The Classic, which builds on a friendly 50-year rivalry between the two girls schools spanning multiple sports. The Classic is the culmination of a week of spirited activities between the two schools, including JV and alumnae games, pep rallies, and a fundraising challenge among each school’s graduates.

Alumnae of both schools make it a homecoming, and the athletes and coaches have a college-level athletic experience, playing in front of thousands of spectators on a university campus. The players follow in the footsteps of decades of athletes who are proud to represent their schools and be part of an athletic legacy in Baltimore.

This match-up has roots stretching to 1964, the first year Mercy High School competed against the old Seton High School in what became a three-year series at the Civic Center. In 1967, a new rivalry formed between Mercy and the Institute of Notre Dame, and for 54 years, “The Big Game” was a highlight of the two schools’ athletic rivalry.

In 2022, Mercy beat Maryvale, 62-40, in this new chapter of Maryland girls basketball. We hope you’ll join us in the stands—or on the court as a Mercy athlete—for future Classics.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is required for admission to Mercy? What does the Admissions Team consider when evaluating applications?

Mercy’s application for admission can be found online at mercyhighschool.com.

The High School Placement Test (HSPT) is required for admission to Mercy. You can register to take the test at your home school (if offered) or in December at Mercy by visiting mercyhighschool.com/hspt. We also consider grades and standardized tests from 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, as well as teacher recommendations.

A Visiting Day to Mercy (which includes a brief interview) is required for all applicants. The Admissions Team considers all materials submitted when evaluating a candidate. Potential students must show a solid academic background, interest in Mercy’s programs, and enthusiasm for joining the Mercy community.

2. What is the Mercy uniform? Where can uniforms be purchased?

The Mercy uniform is a white button-down shirt, plaid skirt, and a red blazer for formal occasions. Students may choose from a variety of uniform sweaters during colder weather, and may wear knee- or ankle-length socks in white or black, or opaque black tights. Shoes are an all-black buck oxford.

Uniforms are available at FlynnO’Hara in Parkville, and shoes may be purchased at many locations, although we recommend Van Dyke and Bacon at Northern Parkway and York Road, just down the road from Mercy.

3. What sports are available?

Fall: Cross Country, Field Hockey, Soccer, Tennis, Volleyball (Tryouts for fall sports will be held the summer prior to the school year.) Winter: Basketball, Cheer, Indoor Track and Field Spring: Golf, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track and Field, Softball

4. What extracurricular activities are available?

There are many activities available at Mercy, and if we don’t have what you are looking for, we encourage you to start it! Just a few activities we offer include The Shield (student newspaper) and The Lance (literary magazine), The Garnet (yearbook), Footlighters (drama club), National Art Honor Society, Art Club, Social Justice Society, Model Diplomacy Team, Student Council, Dance Troupe, Pep Squad, vocal arts, and many more.

5. How many students attend Mercy? Our enrollment for this year is approximately 440 students in total.

6. What is the average class size? The average class size is 20-22 students. Electives and junior/senior year courses tend to be smaller.

7. Is there transportation available to and from Mercy?

Carpooling works well for families from many areas, including Cockeysville, Glyndon, Towson, Westminster, and more. After you enroll, we will send you information about other families who live in your area so that you can arrange carpooling. If there is enough interest, bus service to some neighborhoods could resume.

8. Are there Advanced Placement (AP) and college credit opportunities available?

Yes! AP courses available include Biology, Calculus AB/BC, U.S. History, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Computer Science Principles, Psychology, French or Spanish, and Studio Art. There are opportunities for upperclassmen to earn dual credit for high school and college through online classes via Notre Dame of Maryland University and Anne Arundel County Community College.

9. Are there STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) programs available?

Yes! All students will receive a thorough background in science and mathematics thanks to our university-level labs and rigorous curriculum. Students with special interests in science and/or medical fields may consider applying for our Women in Medicine Program in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science, The Sister Agnese Neumann Scholars Program in partnership with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, or Women in Technology, which offer students in-depth experiences in medicine, information technology, and biomedical science. All of these programs require a supplemental application.

10. What is the tuition? Tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 school year are $17,180. Tuition for 2023-2024 will be announced in February.

11. Is there tuition assistance? Financial aid? Scholarships?

Yes! Scholarships are based solely on merit, and do not have a separate application. We will choose scholarship candidates based on their HSPT scores, grades, and other information and will invite them for an additional interview in January. Scholarship candidates will be notified of grants and awards in their acceptance packages. Scholarship amounts vary; no full scholarships are granted. Scholarships are usually renewable for all four years based on academic performance and participation in the Mercy community.

Families may apply for financial aid online through FACTS Management at mercyhighschool.com/facts. Financial aid awards are based on FACTS Management’s calculation of a family’s need. We do our best to meet the needs of all of our families with the limited resources we have. However, we expect that education will be a high priority in a family’s budget. Please apply for financial aid by December 16, 2022.

12. Can my daughter attend Mercy if we are not Catholic? What is Mercy’s religious education program like?

Absolutely! Mercy welcomes students of all backgrounds and traditions. Our mission reflects the values of the Sisters of Mercy and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our religious education curriculum is a four-year requirement for all students that covers Church history, ethics, social and moral responsibility, and world religions and encourages each student to grow in her relationship with God. Our service learning requirement encourages an attitude of reflection and grace as our students learn the importance of giving back to their communities.

13. What is Mercy’s college acceptance rate?

100% of Mercy graduates are accepted into college. The Student Services Team works closely with students and their families to help them navigate the college exploration and application process, find scholarships and financial aid, and succeed on the SAT and the ACT. Recent Mercy graduates have chosen to attend selective schools, including The Citadel, Emory, Harvard, Howard, Johns Hopkins, Syracuse, Tulane, Xavier, and more, and the 116 members of the Class of 2022 earned more than $22 million in merit scholarships.

PROFILE OF THE MERCY GRADUATE A Journey of Student Development

CORE VALUE • STUDENT ATTRIBUTES

Compassion. Having concern for the needs of all, including those outside our immediate circle.

Empathy. Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand their feelings and perspectives.

Mercy

Responsibility to Serve. Fulfilling the duty to not just care about other, but to take action on their behalf.

Curiosity. Being open to other ways of seeing the world and exploring new ideas.

Personal Accountability. Staying disciplined in decision-making, proactive in correcting mistakes and self-motivated in our studies.

Critical Thinking. Gathering and objectively evaluating and analyzing information through reflection and reason.

Spirituality. Developing a personal relationship with a loving, merciful God, expressed in service and respecting other faiths.

Modeling of Jesus Christ & Catherine McAuley. Living life with abundant love, compassion, generosity and hospitality, demonstrating the strength of infinite mercy.

Ethical & Moral. Following a personal code based on Gospel values that guides action and choices.

Integrity. Standing up for or doing what’s right, including when it’s difficult or unpopular.

Lifelong Learning. Always learning something new, gaining skills and wanting to know more, in all walks of life.

Emotional Intelligence. Recognizing and welcoming emotions within ourselves and others to build resilience and healthy relationships.

Grace. Allowing others to be fully human without judgment, while honoring what is God-like within each person.

Advocate. Being a forceful defender, supporter and sometimes spokesperson for the values and people we hold dear.

Inclusivity. Going beyond tolerance to embrace diversity, while accepting and serving with open arms.

7 IMPORTANT DATES

Attend a Magic Moments Information Session to learn more about Mercy’s programs and opportunities, meet members of Mercy’s leadership team, take a tour, and ask your questions about the admissions process. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade parents/guardians are welcome. From September through December, 8th grade visiting days are available on many school days. Schedule your day online at mercyhighschool.com. Events are offered each month from September to December to accommodate prospective families’ busy schedules.

n September 2022

Online registration for the High School Placement Test (HSPT) opens.

Go to mercyhighschool.com/hspt to register.

20: Magic Moment Information Session for prospective families from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

n October 2022

18: Magic Moment Information Session for prospective families from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

22: Open House from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

n November 2022

15: Magic Moment Information Session for prospective families from 4:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

n December 2022

3: High School Placement Test at Mercy, 8 a.m.

10: High School Placement Test at Mercy, 8 a.m.

13: Magic Moment Information Session for prospective families from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

16: Application for admissions is due. Application for financial aid is due.

n January 2023

14: Fine Art Auditions (snow date: January 21), 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

14: Scholarship Interviews by invitation (snow date: January 21)

n February 2023

15: High School Acceptance Letters Mailed

23: Class of 2027 Welcome Reception, 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

n March 2023

3: Registration deadline for accepted students at 4 p.m.

30: New Student Information Night, 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m.

To stay up-to-date on the latest information, please visit www.mercyhighschool.com/admissions

Learn more and register for these events at mercyhighschool.com.

1. Go to mercyhighschool.com. You can create an account with us, sign up for events, get on the mailing list, and track your application from start to finish!

2. Sign up for a Visiting Day. Go to mercyhighschool.com to register online, or contact the Admissions Team by phone or email. We require that 8th grade students schedule a Visiting Day sometime between September and December. You will also have a brief interview with an admissions team member when you visit us.

3. Register for the High School Placement Test. The test is offered at most area Catholic high schools. You may take the test at any location that is convenient for you with no effect on your application’s status. Register at mercyhighschool.com/hspt

4. Fill out the online application for admissions, student questionnaire and personal statement, and any supplemental applications for special programs at www.mercyhighschool.com.*

Submit a Release of Records to your current school and a Common Referral Form to a teacher of a core subject (mathematics, social studies, science, or English).** A student’s records and referral forms should be submitted directly to Mercy. Application materials are due to Mercy by December 16. Please submit your applications promptly to be considered for scholarships and special programs.

5. If needed, fill out the Mercy application for financial aid . We will also need your family’s 2021 1040 and W-2 tax forms, and 2022 when available. Financial aid applications are due by December 16.

6. The Mercy admissions committee will review all files in mid-January. We will invite scholarship candidates for an additional interview at this time. Most scholarship interviews will take place on January 14, 2023.

7. Decision letters are mailed on February 15, 2023. The packet will contain letters notifying you of our admission decision, scholarship awards, special program acceptance, and financial aid package (if applicable). We also send a special acceptance email on February 16, 2023, to the parent email address provided on your application. This email only contains acceptance decisions.

8. Make your decision! We welcome all accepted students to celebrate their achievement with us at our accepted student reception on February 23, 2023. You can talk with current students and teachers, ask questions about special programs, and enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable evening at Mercy with your potential new classmates. You may also want to return for another Visiting Day—we’d love to have you back for a second look. Please call the Admissions Team to schedule at 410-433-8880.

9. Complete your registration online by March 3, 2023 and come to Mercy for New Student Night on March 30, 2023—required for all new students. You and your parents/guardians will be introduced to everything you’ll need to know as an incoming freshman at Mercy, including the schedule, uniform, upcoming placement tests, and more.

POLICY ON NON-DISCRIMINATION: Mercy High School does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, programs or activities, its admissions policies, financial aid or scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.

*Mercy’s Visual Art Program, Dance Program, Women in Medicine in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science, Sister Agnese Neumann Scholars Program in partnership with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Law and Social Action, Women in Technology Program, and Carroll Learning Services.

**For parents of students in an Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic elementary/middle school, referral forms and records release forms will be given to you by your daughter’s current school. You do not need to fill out these forms again.

FINANCIAL AID

Dear Prospective Families,

Congratulations on taking the first steps in the high school application process. I am so glad that your search has led you to Mercy, and I firmly believe that not only can Mercy offer your daughter an excellent college preparatory education, but that Mercy is the place where your daughter will truly flourish.

Mercy High School encourages all families interested in applying to Mercy to do so regardless of their intention to seek financial aid. The process for admission is separate from the financial aid process and all candidates for admission are evaluated on their academic and personal qualifications, regardless of their financial situation. Once families apply for financial aid, the financial aid committee makes every effort to meet the demonstrated need of as many candidates as possible.

We partner with FACTS Management in our financial aid process. The instructions and application are online at mercyhighschool.com/facts. Please visit this website as soon as possible to begin the financial aid process.

I know that the application process can be many-layered and often overwhelming, but I assure you that an entire team is here to help support you in the process. For more information about the process or to ask any questions you may have, please contact the Finance Office at 410.433.8880, ext. 223 or financialaid@mercyhighschool.com.

All the best,

Diana Rego Director of Finance and Operations Mercy High School

KEY INFORMATION TO HELP YOU COMPLETE THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION:

m To begin the financial aid application, go to: mercyhighschool.com/facts

m Deadline for completing the financial aid application is December 16, 2022.

m Our finance office may be reached at financialaid@mercyhighschool.com or 410-433-8880, ext. 223.

1. Where is Mercy?

We are located at 1300 E. Northern Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21239, just five minutes east of Belvedere Square. Please follow the signs on the driveway to parking lot A where you will find our main entrance. Check in at the reception desk at the main entrance, located inside the glass doors by the Mercy Welcomes You sign.

2. Who can visit at Mercy?

We require all 8th grade students who are thinking about applying to Mercy to schedule a visiting day between September and December. Potential transfer students are welcome to schedule a visiting day when they begin the transfer process. Seventh graders who are eager to begin the high school selection process should look for more information about a reception and visiting days especially for them in the spring.

3. How can I schedule a visiting day?

Please visit mercyhighschool.com/visit to schedule a visit and receive more information. Contact Admissions at 410-433-8880 or admissions@mercyhighschool.com if you have any questions.

4. When should I get there? When is the school day over?

Please report to the reception area when you arrive. Please check in at 7:45 a.m. and plan to leave at 3:10 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Families may meet their students at the end of the day at the main entrance when picking up their daughters in the afternoon.

5. Are parents required to stay?

Parents are not required to stay, although they may want to request a tour or meeting with a member of the Admissions Team. Information sessions and other opportunities to meet the school leadership occur once a month during the months of September through December. To attend one of these events, please go to www.mercyhighschool.com/visit to sign up, or contact us.

6. What should I wear?

If your school has a uniform, please wear it to your visit. If your school does not have a uniform, please dress in nice and appropriate—but comfortable—clothes. This means dress pants or skirts and nice tops. (No jeans, please.) You may want to participate if your hostess should have gym class that day, so please wear appropriate clothes and athletic shoes to allow you to do this safely and comfortably.

VISITING DAYS AT MERCY We’re so excited that you are planning to visit us at Mercy! Here’s what you need to know for your day.

7. What should I bring?

Your questions! This day is for you to interview us. Get to know Mercy, and learn more about how you can explore your interests here. We want to make sure we answer all your questions. You may also want to bring a book or some homework to do in case your hostess has a test or a quiz. You may have a cell phone with you during the day, but it must be turned off and put away until the end of the day.

8. What can I expect?

You’ll be paired with a current Mercy freshman or sophomore to observe her classes in action, meet teachers and other students, and get an idea of what life will be like in high school. You will also meet with a member of the Admissions Team for a brief interview.

9. I want to see an extracurricular activity, like drama, dance, a sport, music, or writing workshop.

If you’d like to experience a practice or performance of a specific activity at Mercy, we would love to have you! However, not all teams or clubs may be meeting on the day that is most convenient for you to visit, and many extracurricular activities meet after school hours. Please contact the Admissions Team in advance to schedule one of these events.

10. What about lunch?

Lunch is on us! We’ll provide you with a complimentary lunch. You can bring your own lunch if you’d like, and bring some extra cash for our vending machines.

4 APPLICATION CHECKLIST

m I created an account at mercyhighschool.com/portal to schedule events, apply online, and communicate with the Admissions Team.

m I scheduled a Visiting Day at Mercy.

m (Optional) My family registered to attend a Magic Moments Information Session.

m We put Mercy’s Open House on our calendar: October 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

m I registered for the High School Placement Test at Mercy on December 3 or December 10 at 8 a.m. Eighth grade students who curently attend select Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore will test at their schools.

m I filled out my application online at mercyhighschool.com/portal by December 16, including any supplemental applications for our signature programs: Women in Medicine in partnership with Mercy Medical Center, Project Lead the Way Biomedical Science, Neumann Scholars Program in partnership with MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Women in Technology, Law and Social Action Program, Visual Arts Program, Dance Program, or Carroll Learning Services Program.

m We submitted a request for records and common referral form to my current school.

(For families currently in a Catholic middle/elementary school: Your daughter’s school should provide this for us. You do not need to submit our additional form unless noted by your school.)

m (Optional) We filled out the financial aid forms by December 16.

“My God I am yours for time and eternity. Teach me to cast myself entirely into the arms of your loving providence...”

From Catherine McAuley’s Suscipe

MISSION

We, the community of Mercy High School Baltimore, are a private Catholic, college preparatory school for young women of diverse backgrounds from across central Maryland. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, we provide a rigorous education marked by academic excellence and personal attention. Here, students learn to communicate ideas and express themselves confidently, both individually and in collaboration with others. Mercy creates an environment where young women form habits of lifelong inquiry, critical thinking and courageous action in a global society. In the tradition of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, our work reflects a commitment to hospitality, service, justice and compassion.