Our History

For the next 60 years, Mater Misericordiae, as it was known then, continued to grow exponentially.

In 1954, the present school building was opened for girls in grades K through 12.  The convent space was then devoted to housing the Sisters of Mercy serving in the Philadelphia community. 

In 1968, the school’s name was changed from Latin to English, and Merion Mercy Academy garnered greater recognition throughout the Philadelphia region.

In 1986, a decision was made to merge girls in grades K through 8 with boys from Waldron and this is now known as Waldron Mercy Academy, which operates as a separate entity. Merion Mercy Academy concentrated on the secondary education of girls, in grades 9–12, as it does today.

As Merion Mercy settled into its new identity as an all-girls Catholic high school, it entered a period of unprecedented growth in enrollment. The Class of 2000 was the first in the school's history to graduate more than 100 students. 

The school also blossomed academically, earning a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award in 1996 as recognition from the United States Department of Education.

In 2003, Merion Mercy built a 27,000 foot addition that included a school chapel, administrative offices, student center, indoor track, dance studio and athletic training facilities. Significant renovations were also completed in the library/media center and music room. 

In July 2016, we began a 15-month rebuild project known as the Upward & Onward Campaign, designed to advance the school with new, versatile spaces. The renovations opened in fall 2017, and include the Frances M. Maguire '53 Art & Design Gallery, the Connelly Lyceum, a student activities and athletics center, an energy-efficient kitchen and dining commons, and a counseling center.

Our Innovation, Discovery and Design Studio opened in 2021 as an interdisciplinary space dedicated to empowering our students to ideate, design, prototype, and evaluate as part of their learning experience. Both the studio and our media center reading room were specifically designed to enhance collaborative project-based learning.

In 2024, with a generous gift from The Howley Foundation, Merion Mercy Academy opened the Howley Center for Science and Innovation and the Howley Academic Center for Excellence.  The new science center not only upgraded the physical space but has also revolutionized the facility with technological advancements, equipment enhancements, and a complete makeover of the aesthetics. This cutting-edge and inspiring space empowers students to explore, learn, and excel in the realm of science, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving technological world.

The ACE serves as a central hub for personalized instruction, academic support, and a variety of tools and resources. The center aims to empower students with an understanding of their individual strengths and to develop the competencies to perform at the highest levels. It also provides spaces for individual research, collaborative work, and group instruction.

Also in 2024, Merion Mercy completed a new athletic complex complete with an artificial turf multi-purpose field and a turf softball field.