Merion Mercy Academy Viewbook

When she can do anything, that changes everything.

More of what matters.

For nearly 140 years, we have been committed to empowering young women to better the world. Here, learning is personal, friends are forever, and the focus is on what matters most for your future. At Merion, you’ll gain confidence, courage, and real-world experience so you are more than ready for what’s next.

1884 Year founded

100% Smart, compassionate, and college bound Merion girls

92 Partner schools

More to love. Evermore.

The four years you spend at Merion should be some of the best years of your life— exploratory, joyful, and girl-centered. When we say you’ve never experienced a more inclusive, authentic, and welcoming community, we mean it.

We’re more than an academy; we’re a family. At Merion, you’ll make friends who will applaud your success and have your back. Merion girls—they’ll be your friends for life.

Do more great work.

At Merion, everything is designed around how girls learn best. Our academic program is active, experiential, and individualized, allowing for ambitious learning and high levels of achievement. Innovation and creativity are ignited in our state-of-the-art Discovery and Design Studio.

“One size fits all” education doesn’t work anymore. Our personalized approach allows you to dig deep, explore interests, and grow as an individual while building a truly impressive body of knowledge.

While the pandemic left its mark on even the strongest students, Merion Mercy’s academic team will make sure you’re equipped for success even before the first day of school. Our Assistant Head of School, learning specialist, school counselor, and your assigned advisor take a personal interest in your wellbeing—both in and outside the classroom.

In everything you do, you’ll be guided by amazing teachers who provide mentoring, individualized instruction, and inspiration.

More about you. More distinct.

DIPLOMA WITH DISTINCTION

Our Diploma with Distinction allows you to further personalize your education. During your junior and senior years you can pursue a concentration area in which you focus on related courses, co-curriculars, and service. Plus, you’ll curate your work into a digital portfolio, and develop and present a capstone project—ideal for those college applications!

BEYOND EFFECTIVE WRITING

The art of communication is an integral part of Merion Mercy’s challenging curriculum. Every girl takes Effective Writing, but communication skills are also taught in all academic disciplines and through oral and written presentations. Merion girls gain the tools and the confidence to express themselves in whatever they do.

More power to her.

Academics 17

AP Courses 51

Electives

Hailey Hendricks

Philadelphia, PA

Hailey Hendricks takes advantage of all that Merion Mercy Academy has to offer, from academics and extracurriculars to beloved school traditions and a remarkable sisterhood. She is co-editor of the yearbook, a member of the Latin and Social Studies academic honor societies, on the pep squad, and part of MMA’s Mock Trial team.

A talented student, Hailey thrives in the broad variety of courses that Merion Mercy has to offer. “I want to go into law and politics so I took AP Human Geography, AP U.S. History and AP Environmental Science.” She appreciates that at MMA, “I don’t feel I have to compete academically, but I do want to succeed and there are a lot of people to motivate you.” Given the small class sizes, teachers provide a great deal of support.

“I love our teachers! You can tell they’re really passionate about what they do and it makes class way more enjoyable.”

80 % of faculty with advanced degrees

Hailey says of the school community, “We’re really close knit; we all really like each other. It’s not cliquey—you can easily move between friend groups.”

She is ready for what’s next: “We have a great team of people to prepare us for where we want to go!”

“I love our teachers! You can tell they’re really passionate about what they do.”

More than words.

As a Catholic community in the Mercy tradition, we are rooted in Gospel values. We not only study our faith, but live it. We fuel the soul as well as the mind, cultivating young women who are called to Mercy— kindness in action—as well as global awareness, and social responsibility.

Do more good.

Merion Mercy Academy has the privilege of guiding each young woman on her personal journey. You are welcome to learn and to grow in a nurturing environment that values and responds to your distinct spiritual development. At the same time, we unite as a community through daily prayer, a monthly Reset offering scripture readings and reflections, the celebration of holy days, and liturgies in the beautiful Convent Chapel.

MERCY GIRL EFFECT

Each year, the Mercy Girl Effect project brings together students from Mercy schools in the U.S. and Ireland to raise awareness of global issues and empower them to improve the quality of life for young females in developing nations.

MERCY MISSION CORPS

Service isn’t just about doing a good deed; it’s about living a values-centered life.

Unique to Merion Mercy Academy, Mercy Mission Corps provides opportunities for our community to put faith into action through ministries of labor and presence. Whether helping locally with partners in the Philadelphia area, working in community for a week or longer through Mercy Immersions, or raising funds during events, our girls demonstrate Mercy every day.

4 Years of Theology study

5 Mercy Core Values

50+ Campus Ministry Team members

“The Mercy spirit of care and compassion makes us the strongest community possible.”

—Caroline Cawley, Broomall, Pa.

The more the

Merion Mercy’s dynamic school life allows and encourages you to explore countless paths, discovering your passions in the process. With co-curricular periods built into the school day, you don’t have to choose between joining a club and playing a sport ... though selecting from among all the options, including leadership opportunities, can be challenging!

Our beloved traditions foster community, connection and belonging. Carol Night, Mission Week Mixer, Red, Green and Jingle Day, Ring Mass, and Weenie Roast are just a few. These traditions create lasting memories and are an essential part of the Merion Mercy student experience.

merrier.

Activities

Bear

More than meets the eye.

The Arts

2 Arts majors (Music and Visual Arts)

Reese Donnelly

Medford, NJ

Reese Donnelly says Merion Mercy checked all the boxes for her when deciding on a high school. “I wanted something academically challenging and supportive of women and their growth. Merion fit perfectly.”

Her interest in a Visual Arts major came after a drawing class her freshman year. “I had loved art for a long time, but I hadn’t been serious about it until this class.” In the Art major, Reese finds herself “blown away by the different assignments like painting, designing clothing and posters, inking and more.” Today her favorite media are ink and graphite.

2 Modern art studios

10 Performing arts groups

While art is a big part of her life, it’s not Reese’s sole focus—in fact, she plans to pursue biochemistry as a college major. “I take a lot of AP and honors courses along with my art courses, which can be time-consuming and stressful. As a result, I’ve become significantly better at time management.”

For new Merion students, Reese recommends “putting yourself out there.” She says, “High school is so much more enjoyable and worthwhile with good friends and valued connections. Merion can be an amazing place to form those meaningful relationships.”

“I wanted something academically challenging and supportive of women and their growth. Merion fit perfectly.”

Take more shots.

Athletics

12 Varsity sports

65% of students play at least one sport

50% Play two or more sports

Kaitlin Angelucci

Broomall, PA

An awe-inspiring Mass in the Convent Chapel combined with a warm welcome led Kaitlin Angelucci to choose Merion Mercy Academy. “They wanted me to thrive in all they had to offer.”

Among MMA’s offerings is a dynamic sports program that includes 12 varsity teams, four of which Kaitlin has played, including three she had never played before. Freshman year she rowed and joined the basketball team. Sophomore year she continued basketball and added cross country and track. Asked which is her favorite, Kaitlin says, “I love the individual challenges of cross country, but I am more fond of the team aspects of basketball.” She adds, “The Merion basketball team has a special bond; everyone is there for each other in and out of the season.”

Outside of sports, Kaitlin wants future students to know that “everyone will fit in at Merion.” The extensive sisterhood means that “I love each and every one of the girls in my grade.” She also appreciates the way Merion has pushed her in so many positive ways. “I work hard to constantly improve myself using my God-given talents. I would not have that mindset and opportunity without Merion Mercy.”

“I work hard to constantly improve myself using my God-given talents. I would not have that mindset and opportunity without Merion Mercy.”

Our prime location makes us easy to access from throughout the Delaware Valley. Plentiful transportation options extend across the entire area—from free township busing to deeply discounted SEPTA rates for students to our private Philadelphia/ South Jersey bus and Northwest Shuttle. Our girls lead full lives at Merion whether they live in Chestnut Hill or Cherry Hill, on the Main Line or in Center City.

“Merion is a lot closer than you think!”

—Maria Stowell ’25, Mt. Laurel, NJ

Merion Mercy Academy admits young women regardless of disability, race, color, creed, ethnic or national origin who possess the motivation, ability, and character which would enable them to succeed in our school community to the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students, and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, ethnic, or national origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and aid programs, athletic, and other school-administered programs.