Merion Mercy Academy

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Location
Merion Mercy Academy
Merion, Pennsylvania, USA
Information
Religion	Roman Catholic
Principal	Sister Barbara Buckley
Enrollment	474
Faculty	41
Student:teacher ratio	10 to 1
Type	All-girls Secondary
Campus	Suburban
Athletics conference	PIAA
Mascot	Golden Bear
Color(s)	Blue and Gold
Established	1884
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 Academy" 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 27,000 square foot addition to the MMA building in 2003 added a new chapel, administrative offices, 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 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. The volleyball tean earned a second state title in 2007 with an undefeated season.

Academically, the school earned a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence" Award in 1996 as recognition from the United States Department of Education.

The school has a new principal, Sister Barbara Buckley, who is also an alumna.

Recently, Merion-Mercy won the 92.5 WXTU radio station contest. On December 19, 2007, country artist Kellie Pickler performed for the student body.

[edit] Mission

Merion Mercy Academy, an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, offers a holistic education which encourages academic and personal excellence. Its curriculum stresses mercy spirituality, global awareness, social responsibility and academics. Within a nurturing community, Merion Mercy Academy educates leaders: young women who live mercy and seek justice (which is part of the mantra the girls zealously chant at all school functions).