Program of Studies

Educational Excellence

We pride ourselves on providing a college preparatory curriculum that promotes self-confidence and challenges your student to reach her potential, while instilling a love of learning. We aim to develop her unique strengths and talents in appreciation for who she is and who she hopes to become.

Your daughter's progress and growth is evaluated every year, and adjustments and recommendations are made by her teachers as well as the Assistant Head of School for Academics, in order to ensure that she is on her own path for success.

Mercy in Action Diploma with Distinction

The Diploma with Distinction supports and recognizes transformative, personalized learning. Students pursue their passion, intentionally integrating:

  • Specific courses
  • Co-curricular activities
  • Community service
  • A capstone project or internship
  • Participation in our Mercy in Action symposium 

The program allows your daughter to bridge classroom learning with authentic, purposeful actions within Merion and as part of our larger (Mercy, Philadelphia, global) community as she personifies the mission of the school: living mercy and seeking justice as a young person who creates change in our school and the world.   

Your daughter may apply to pursue a Diploma with Distinction in the following areas, participating in monthly mentorship meetings throughout her junior and senior years:

  • Sustainability
  • Leadership and Communication
  • Law and Justice
  • Arts and Culture

The Diploma with Distinction culminates with the curation of a digital portfolio and is recognized on the student's diploma and transcript. Please visit the Diploma with Distinction website for more information.

Graduation Requirements

Your student is required to earn 24 credits for graduation. Our academic year is divided into two semesters, with one unit of credit given for a year-long course, and a half credit offered for semester-long courses. 

Prior to starting freshman year, your daughter will meet with the Assistant Head of School for Academics to determine her electives, from which our team will design her personalized curriculum. 

We recently updated our graduation requirements to place more emphasis on math, and to encourage each student to spend at least one semester exploring fine arts or performing arts, which provides wonderful benefits in terms of students’ confidence and self-expression.

Theology: 4 credits
English: 4 credits
Social Studies: 3 credits
Math: 4 credits
Science: 3 credits
World Language: 2 credits
Effective Writing: 0.5 credit
Fine Arts or Performing Arts: 0.5 credit
Physical Education/Health: 1 credit
Electives: 2 credits

Merion Mercy Academy is accredited by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, which governs our curriculum structure.

three female merion mercy graduates
six merion mercy graduates at sign
smiling high school graduate

Grading System

Grade Grade Range Points (GP)
A+  97 – 100 4.3
A  93 – 96 4
A-  90 – 92 3.7
B+  87 – 89 3.3
B  83 – 86 3
B-  80 – 82 2.7
C+  77 – 79 2.3
C  73 – 76 2
C-  70 – 72 1.7
D+  68 – 69 1.3
D  66 – 67 1.0
D-  65 0.7
F  64 & below 0

 

Grade Point Average

Grade point average is calculated by dividing the sum of the grade points by the number of credits. Courses that use an evaluation system of satisfactory or unsatisfactory do not enter into the calculation of the GPA, nor do chorale and applied music courses. Students receive a .25 bump in their GPA for each Honors-level course successfully completed and a .5 for each AP class.

Honors Distinction

Distinguished Honors are awarded at the end of each semester to students who meet the following criteria:

  • have a GPA of 4.0 with no subject grade point below 3.3
  • completed at least six credits,
  • earned satisfactory grades in every minor subject

The Honors distinction is awarded at the end of the semester to students who:

  • have a GPA of 3.3 with no subject grade point below 3.0
  • carry at least six credits
  • earned satisfactory grades in every minor subject

Course Levels

Level College Preparatory: All of our standard courses are college preparatory

Level AP: These are Advanced Placement courses for which college credit may be received. Students are expected to take the AP exam at the end of the course, with the AP exam fee added to her tuition bill.

Level Honors: Advanced courses. Qualifying marks and department approval are prerequisites for most of these courses.

Online Courses: Students may take AP or other courses not offered at Merion Mercy Academy through a variety of online schools. There is an additional cost for online classes. In the past five years, students have taken or are currently taking: AP Art History, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP European History.

Students need the following skills to be successful in an online course: ability to organize, study, and learn in an independent environment; ability to work with others; effective written communication skills; technical capacity; critical thinking; demonstration of patience; and commitment to learning.

Students who are considering enrolling in an online course must receive permission from the Assistant Head of School for Academics.