School Profile 2017-2018
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An independent, Catholic, college preparatory school for young women 511 Montgomery Avenue Merion Station, PA 19066-1214 SCHOOL PROFILE 2017-2018 PHONE: 610-664-6655 FAX: 610-664-6322 MISSION www.merion-mercy.com Merion Mercy Academy, an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, offers a holistic education which encourages CEEB: 392575 academic and personal excellence. Its curriculum stresses mercy spirituality, global awareness, and social responsibility. Within a nurturing community, Merion Mercy Academy educates leaders: young women who live mercy and seek justice. CLASS OF 2018 SCHOOL COMMUNITY Merion Mercy Academy, founded in 1884, is located on a 36-acre 123 students campus in a residential suburb of Philadelphia. Approximately Suburbs 52% of its students commute from the suburbs, 31% from *Cum. GPA (mid 50%) Philadelphia economically diverse neighborhoods in the city of Philadelphia, New Jersey 3.45 – 4.04 12% from New Jersey, and 5% international students. The International *Cum. GPA (average) countries represented by our international students are China, Egypt, Korea and Vietnam. 100% of graduates attend 4-year 3.70 colleges. Enrollment is based on a selective admissions process. *Weighted 4.3 scale In 2017-2018, 34% of Merion Mercy students in Grades 9-12 receive financial aid; 21% have been awarded merit scholarships. The faculty is comprised of four Sisters of Mercy and 45 lay men and women. The student to faculty ratio is 10:1. Merion Mercy Merion Mercy Academy is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges Academy does not and Secondary Schools and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The school is a rank its students. member of: • National Association of Independent Schools National Merit • Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools • Independent School Management Recognition • National Association for College Admission Counseling past five years: • Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling 15 Finalists • National Catholic Education Association 32 Commended • Network for Mercy Education Students • Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools CLASS OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM 2017 Graduation Requirements: 24 credits minimum; 6 credits per year SAT Scores Theology 4 Mathematics 3 Effective Writing .5 (mid-50%) English 4 Science 3 Health/Phys. Ed. 1 Social Studies 3 Foreign Language 2 Electives 3.5 Critical Reading 520-620 *Most students are encouraged to study at least one foreign language for three or Math four years and to take four years of mathematics. 500-620 The academic year is divided into two semesters, with 1.0 credit granted for suc- cessful completion of year-long courses and .5 credit granted for semester courses. Sister Barbara Buckley, RSM Mrs. Theresa Yerger, M.A. Mrs. Jeannie O’ Brien, M.S. Sister Peggy O’Donnell, RSM Head of School College Counselor/Coordinator College Counselor Assistant to College Counseling 610-664-6655, Ext. 100 610-664-6655, Ext. 114 610-664-6655, Ext. 136 610-664-6655, Ext. 131 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] COURSES OF STUDY For entering freshmen, placement in some courses is dependent upon testing and previous achievements. For students entering grades 10-12, placement in all A-level and in all AP courses requires teacher recommendation and/or department approval. College Prep Elective Department College Prep (semester courses unless Advanced (A-Level) AP otherwise indicated) Hebrew Scriptures (9) Christian Scriptures (9) Church History (10) Theology Sacraments (10) (semester courses) Morality (11) Social Justice (11) Christian Spirituality (12) Christian Women (12) Foundations in Writing (S) Contemporary Literature Literature and Writing A Literature and Writing (9) Dramatic Literature and the Theatre American Literature A American Literature (10) Fiction and Poetry Writing AP English Literature and British Literature A English Effective Writing (10) Gothic Literature Composition (12) Contemporary Literature A (S) British Literature (11) Speech and Contemporary Issues Jane Austen A (S) Two (2) semester electives World Mythology (10, 11, or 12) Algebra 1A AP Calculus AB Algebra 1 Geometry A AP Calculus BC Algebra 2 Pre-Calculus (S/Y) † Algebra 2A AP Statistics Mathematics Geometry (S) Statistics Pre-Calculus A AP Computer Science Probability, Stats, Analytical Geometry Advanced Pre-Calculus A Principles Calculus A Scientific Methods, Applications, Reasoning, and Theory (S) Biotechnology & Bioethics (S/Y) † § Biology A AP Biology § Biology Earth Science (Y) § Chemistry A AP Chemistry Science Chemistry Environmental Science (Y) § Physics A AP Environmental Science § One (1) additional full-year course or Physics (Y) Physiology A (S/Y) † equivalent Economics in Modern Society Cultures in World History (9) Introduction to Law AP U.S. History (11) Modern United States History (11) Psychology U.S. Government A (S) AP U.S. Government and Social Studies U.S. Government (12 – one semester) Sociology Politics (12) One (1) semester elective Themes in U.S. History World Geography French 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A AP French Language Spanish 1, 2 Spanish 3, 4 (Y) Latin 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A Languages AP Spanish Language Spanish 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A Foundations of Digital Design Art Principles of Design 1 Art Major 1A, 2A, 3A Principles of Design 2 Applied Music Music Major 1A, 2A, 3A Music Choral Music ADVANCED PLACEMENT A-level (honors) and Advanced Placement (AP) are not open enrollment. Students must be recommended by their previous year teacher based on their success in the preceding course along with factors such as work ethic, maturity, class participation, and critical thinking skills. Freshmen students are placed in A-level courses based on their middle school transcript and placement exam performance. AP courses are generally offered to juniors and seniors. Due to the rigor of MMA’s curriculum, students are strongly encouraged to limit the number of AP classes they take in an academic year. Students who enroll in an AP course are required to take the corresponding AP exam. During the 2016-2017 school year, 138 students took 248 AP exams. 70% of the students earned scores of 3 or better. 54% of the 124 members of the class of 2017 took an average total of 2.8 AP courses at MMA. ONLINE COURSES Students with academic interests not specifically offered within our regular curriculum can enroll in online courses through Apex Learning or other approved online providers. These courses are scheduled into their roster. Courses have included: AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Psychology, AP Physics 1, Arabic 1A and 2A, and Mandarin Chinese 1A and 1B, AP World History, Intro to Comp Sci, Honors Earth Science. Required Minor Courses (not included in GPA): Art (9), Guidance (9), Health (9, 10), Math (9, 10), Media Literacy (9), Music (9), Physical Education (9, 10), Technology Resources (9) (S) = Semester; (Y) = Year; (S/Y) † = may be taken as a semester or a full-year course; § = offered in alternate years HONORS Class of 2018 Final Grade Distribution 2016 – 2017 Distinguished Honors (includes AP courses and all other courses taken by six or more juniors) GPA of 4.0 with no GP below 3.5 A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F Total Conduct grade of at least 88 Course No “U” for minor courses (PE, Health etc.) Morality 31 50 17 11 7 5 1 122 Carry at least 6 credits Social Justice 31 41 21 15 13 1 122 Honors British Literature 1 14 5 25 23 3 8 1 80 GPA of 3.5 with no GP below 3.0 British Literature A 1 15 9 8 5 38 Conduct grade of at least 83 No “U” for minor courses (PE, Health etc.) Pre-Calculus 2 4 1 1 1 9 Carry at least 6 credits Pre-Calculus A 1 15 6 5 1 28 Adv. Pre-Calculus A 3 14 5 5 1 28 Algebra 2A 2 5 4 6 17 GRADING SYSTEM Algebra 2 11 2 9 10 2 1 1 1 37 Report cards are issued twice each year in AP Calculus AB 1 1 January and in June. Letter grades are assigned Statistics 2 3 2 7 according to the scale below. A grade of D or better is passing. An F is a failing grade. AP Statistics 2 4 1 3 10 AP Computer 2 6 3 2 1 14 Grade Range Grade Points (GP) Science Principles A+ 97 – 100 4.3 Chemistry 2 11 5 5 9 3 1 36 A 93 – 96 4.0 Chemistry A 2 5 3 1 11 A- 91 – 92 3.75 AP Chemistry 2 6 5 3 1 2 19 B+ 88 – 90 3.5 B 83 – 87 3.0 Physics 6 2 8 B- 81 – 82 2.75 Physics A 2 10 3 1 16 C+ 78 – 80 2.5 Physiology A 1 6 3 4 10 2 26 C 73 – 77 2.0 Environ. Science 2 1 2 2 7 D 70 – 72 1.0 AP Environ. Science 2 1 1 2 3 2 11 F 69 & below 0.0 Modern U.S. History 14 28 13 6 15 1 1 1 79 Increment AP U.S. History 8 13 5 6 2 34 + 0.2 to each GP for A level courses + 0.4 to each GP for AP level courses Psychology 6 7 3 4 4 1 1 26 No increment in the case of a failure (F). Sociology 2 3 1 6 A corresponding number of grade points AP Macroeconomics 1 1 (GP) is assigned based upon the course level. AP Microeconomics 1 1 2 These grade points are used to determine the student’s GPA. AP Psychology 2 1 3 Latin 3A 7 4 1 2 2 16 French 3A 3 4 1 2 10 EXTRACURRICULAR AP French 2 2 ACTIVITIES Spanish 3 1 10 7 13 5 1 37 Spanish 3A 4 10 11 1 2 28 Students participate in 36 different clubs, 14 service organizations, 12 varsity sports, one club AP Spanish 1 3 4 sport, intramurals, and dance team.