Merion Mercy Academy
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| Merion Mercy Academy | |
| Established | 1884 |
| School type | all-girls secondary |
| Religious affiliation | Catholic |
| Principal | S. Regina Ward |
| Location | Merion, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Campus | suburban |
| Enrollment | 474 |
| Faculty | 41 |
| Student:teacher ratio |
10 to 1 |
| Conference | PIAA |
| Homepage | http://www.merion-mercy.com/ |
Merion Mercy Academy is a female, independent, Catholic, college preparatory school, teaching grades 9 through 12, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. It is located in Merion, Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia. Known by the Latin name Mater Misericordiae prior to 1968, the school curriculum has traditionally emphasized mercy spirituality, global awareness, and social responsibility. A dedication to service of the poor and unfortunate, in the spirit of Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, continues today.
After a slump in attendance in the late 1980s some significant changes have taken place. Recent events include the merger of the lower school with Waldron Academy for Boys next door in 1986, thereby giving the entire 72,000 square foot Merion Mercy building, built in 1954, to the education of high school girls. The new grade school was named Waldron Mercy Academy. A new 27,000 addition to the building in 2003 added a new chapel, administrative offices, new classrooms and meeting rooms, new athletic facilities, and a study center for students. Some other significant renovations took place in the summer of 2004.
Merion Mercy also joined the The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) in 1994 for scholastic athletic competition. The very next year the basketball team won the state PIAA Class AA championship. Continuing their success, the track and field team won the PIAA state championship in 1998 and in 2001, and the volleyball team won the PIAA state championship in 2001.
Academically, the school earned a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence" Award in 1996 as recognition from the United States Department of Education.
The current principal, S. Regina Ward has served since 2000. The school is now searching for a new principal starting in July 2007. Requirements for this position include being a practicing Catholic.
