viewbook

aboutADMISSION, TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID.Our admission process is highly selective. Each year we receive 600–800 applications for about 150 openings.Demonstration of academic achievement and promise are our primary prerequisites. But we are also veryinterested in your character, curiosity, and drive. That’swhy in addition to standardized test scores, graded papers,and teacher recommendations, we require a personalinterview—ideally here on campus.

Mercersburg has $4.9 million in financial aid availableannually. More than 49 percent of our students receivesome form of financial aid. While our tuition is competitivewith those of other selective boarding schools, we do notwant cost to be a barrier to qualified students. Mercersburgoffers financial aid in many forms, including grants, low-interest loans, and merit scholarships, as well asvarious payment plans.

For current tuition and to apply for admission andfinancial aid, please visit www.mercersburg.edu/admissionand see the section “Affording Mercersburg.”

Questions? We can help.Email us: [email protected]

Phone us: 717-328-6173

Write to us: Mercersburg Academy300 E. Seminary StreetMercersburg, PA 17236www.mercersburg.edu

1 1

300 E. Seminary Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236

717-328-6173 www.mercersburg.edu

Def

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Her

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Start your Mercersburg story now!

here.117 graduating classes

23,498 life stories launched

define yourself.

70194_cover:Layout 1 8/4/10 2:07 AM

SEIZE THE TANGIBLE

Mercersburg difference.• You really can define yourself here.

That’s exactly what our students say they can do here: so manyavenues for scholastic and personal achievement.

• Our intimate classes encourage superior learning. A class usually numbers only 12, and we prefer big Harkness tables over rows of desks so everyone is front and center.

• Our students are comfortable in their own skins.They are happy and down-to-earth. And once you’re here, you’re family—for life!

• Our grads praise our emphasis on self-discipline. Once in college, our alums say they work harder and are smarter than their peers, thanks to the self-discipline and study skills they acquired at Mercersburg.

• Our location is boarding-school perfect.We are completely away from big-city distractions, but easily accessible by car, plane, or train.

Founded 1893, co-educational,independent,private, fullyaccredited.

Grades 9–12 andpostgraduate,430 students, 85 percent boarding, 15 percent day.

$4.9 million instudent financialaid availableannually.

70 percent offaculty holdadvanced degrees.

Financially strong:$182 millionendowment thanks to generousalumni, parents,and friends.

DEFINING QUICK FACTS AboUT mErCErSbUrG

BLUE STORM

MERC E R S BURG

MERC E R S BURG

The Mercersburg Academy

McFarland Road

Rutledge Avenue

75

1 Masinter Outdoor Education Center

2 Culbertson House3 Faculty Home4 Irvine Memorial Chapel5 Burgin Center for the Arts

5a Hale Studio Theatre6 Traylor Hall (Admission)7 Landis House

(Alumni & Development)8 Lenfest Hall9 Keil Hall

10 South Cottage11 Swank Hall12 Rutledge Hall13 McFadden Model

Railroad Museum14 Main Hall15 North Cottage

16 Security Office17 Physical Plant18 Football Field/Track19 Nolde Gymnasium

19a Davenport Squash Center20 Health Center21 Baseball Field22 Buchanan Cabin23 Softball Field24 Ford Hall25 Irvine Hall26 Tippetts Hall27 Fowle Hall

28 Girls’ Field Hockey and Lacrosse Turf Field

29 Faculty Homes30 Smoyer Tennis Center

Frantz Tennis Pavilion31 Class of ’38 Observatory

Playing Fields

Driving Paths

Parking

campus map

Mercersburg Academy abides by both the spirit and the letterof the law in all its employment and admission policies. Theschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,gender, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.D

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AboUT mErCErSbUrGOur graduatesare trulyOlympian:54 Olympians (12 goldmedalists)

11 Fulbrightscholars

7 Rhodesscholars

3 Medal of Honor recipients

2 AcademyAward winners

1 Nobel laureate

70194_text:Layout 1 8/4/10 2:27 AM Page 19

2

define yourselfON A GORGEOUS CAMPUS.It just keeps getting better … and with space galore.

Our students will tell you that once you stand in the Quad and do a 360-degree turn, you will never thinkabout enrolling at another school—300 acres of pristinePennsylvania countryside and stunning campusarchitecture, where the athletic fields stretch right up to the farms and mountains.

Should a college preparatory school be anything else? Come and visit. Seeing is believing.

define yourselfWHERE SOLID VALUES INFUSE ALL YOU DO.An ethical compass—Mercersburg-style—that lasts a lifetime.

We teach our students to think for themselves, toapproach life thoughtfully and creatively, to thrivephysically, to act morally, to value the spiritual dimension of human existence, and to serve others.

In addition, every student must sign a community pledge and live up to our honor code.


DAN KWAKNorthbrook, IllinoisACTIVITIES:Octet • Jazz Band • Soccer (Varsity) • Golf (Varsity) • Library Proctor • Spanish Club (Treasurer) • Chapel Usher

“I came to Mercersburg in the 10thgrade, and it has given me a new viewon everything. I’m stretched in a lot ofdirections, and that’s a really goodthing. I knew that math was myfavorite subject, so I took calculus andthen statistics. But thanks to the facultyat Mercersburg, I discovered that therewere other things like history andpolitics. I studied world and U.S.history here, and I liked it a lot. Itwasn’t just memorizing dates; thefaculty really gave me a newfoundinsight into human development onthe planet. I’m currently taking agovernment course, and this pastsummer I interned for a politicalcampaign in Illinois. The collegecounseling office advised me tobroaden my views and look for thingsthat would really help me develop—notjust for college, but for me—thingsthat I would have fun doing for the restof my life. It turns out I have interestsin all sorts of places, not just math and science.”

WHAT IT’S L IKE TO BE

Dan“My favorite place on campus is the Burgin Center. I come

in here every day for at least an hour. I play the clarinet,

and I also sing in the men’s a cappella group, The Octet.

Music has taught me a lot of things, like the value

of discipline and practice.”

real students, real stories

3


NIKKI WOLNYAtascadero, California, via Saudi ArabiaACTIVITIES:Tennis (Varsity/Letter) • Basketball (JuniorVarsity) • African-American Student Union(Secretary)

“Tennis is a game that’s just as mentalas it is physical. When I’m playing Ihave to be calm, so I can think andmotivate myself throughout eachmatch. Being on the court definitelyhelps me academically. With tennis, if I’m not hitting a stroke right, I hitanother 1,000 balls per week, and I work on my problem. It’s the samewith my academics; when I don’tunderstand something in class, I see my teachers for help. Just as each coach has a different way ofapproaching the game of tennis, the teachers at Mercersburg each giveme different ways to improve in theclassroom. It’s my dream to play tennisin college, but my real goal is to majorin biology or pre-med. I chose to attendMercersburg because it was the best fitfor me. I grew up in an internationalcommunity and Mercersburg has over30 nations represented in the studentbody: it feels like my second home.”



Nikki“Outside of tennis, I’m in the AASU (African-American

Student Union) and I really enjoy it. It’s just a lot of fun;

I get to hang out with people I might not otherwise get

to spend a lot of time with.”

4


define yourselfACADEMICALLY WITH A RIGOROUS CURRICULUM.Our challenging courses and expert faculty will equip you for college … and beyond.

With help from your faculty adviser and departmentchairs, you’ll tailor your academic life to your interests,choosing from more than 150 courses, including over 40 AP and Honors-level courses. You can even design your own independent study courses or team up with a teacher for a directed study course.

Although 70 percent of our faculty hold advanced degrees, they will be more than just your teachers. They’ll coach your teams, share your table in the dininghall, and live with their families—and you—in theresidence halls. Because of this, they’ll know your hopesand dreams, your strengths and weaknesses, and how to motivate you to do your best.

No one is required to take an Advanced Placement orHonors course, though most of our students do. But if AP courses are your preference, we have all that you will need: 86 percent of our students scored 3 or higheron AP exams; 63 percent scored 4 or 5.

See mercersburg.edu/academics for the full curriculum or ask us for our separate brochure on academics.

Our curriculum includesmore than 150 courses,including over 40 AP andHonors-level courses AP Calculus ABAP Calculus BCAP StatisticsHonors GeometryHonors Algebra II Honors Pre-CalculusAP BiologyAP ChemistryAP Environmental Science AP Physics C:

Electricity and MagnetismAP Physics C: MechanicsHonors ChemistryHonors PhysicsAP Chinese Language/CultureAP French LanguageAP German LanguageAP Latin: VergilAP Spanish LanguageAP Spanish LiteratureHonors Second-Year French Honors Third-Year FrenchHonors Fourth-Year GermanHonors Second-Year LatinHonors Third-Year LatinHonors Second-Year Spanish Honors Third-Year SpanishAP American LiteratureAP British and World LiteratureHonors World LiteratureHonors English:

Power and JusticeAP Art HistoryAP Economics (Micro/Macro)AP European HistoryAP Comparative Government

and PoliticsAP United States HistoryAP World HistoryPost-AP Multivariable Calculus/

Intro Linear AlgebraPost-AP Linear Algebra

with ApplicationsPost-AP The French-Speaking

WorldPost AP French LiteraturePost-AP Latin Literature

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define yourselfWITH TOTAL COLLEGE COUNSELING.Highly personalized, by the best in the business.

This is what you pay for and this is what you get:

a department of experts who are dedicated 24/7 to

exploring alternatives, helping you narrow the field,

target your course selections and applications, then

finally working with you to maximize your options.

College counseling starts in the ninth grade and

remains focused on one thing only: the fit. We make

sure that you, your goals, and your colleges of choice

are totally in sync. At Mercersburg, you will never

walk the college selection and application processes

alone. Our ultra knowledgeable counselors will be

with you all the way.

Bill McClintick, our director of college counseling,

was the 2008–09 president of the National Association

for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).

Brief Sample of College Matriculations for Graduating Classes2007–2010(in alphabetical order)

Bates College (5)Bryn Mawr CollegeBucknell University (6)Colby College (2)Columbia University (3)Cornell University (3)Duke University (4)Georgetown University (4)Harvard UniversityHaverford CollegeJohns Hopkins University Kenyon College (3)Lehigh University (7)McGill University (5)Mount Holyoke College (3)New York University (12)Oberlin College Smith College (3)Stanford University (2)Swarthmore College (4)University of Chicago (2)University of Pennsylvania (6)University of Richmond (9)University of SouthernCalifornia (3)

Vanderbilt University (3) Wake Forest University (5)Yale University (3)

6


define yourselfINTERNATIONALLY—WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR DORM.You won’t find a more diverse student body anywhere.

With students from 34 nations and 30 American states, we don’t just mimic the world, we ARE the world. Yourroommate may be from Korea. Your new best friendmight hail from Germany. And your “go-to guy” for helpwith French could just as easily be from Paris or Peoria,Palm Beach or Paraguay. How cool is that! We are happyto report that Mercersburg passed the Middle StatesAssociation of Colleges and Schools’ “Accreditation forGrowth” process, which requires that we emphasize ourstudents’ development as global citizens, environmentalstewards, leaders, and critical thinkers.

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Boys’ Teams (in alphabetical order)

BaseballBasketballCross CountryDivingFootballGolfLacrosse

SkiingSoccerSquashSwimmingTennisTrack & FieldWrestling

Girls’ Teams (in alphabetical order)

BasketballCross CountryDivingField HockeyGolfLacrosseSkiing

SoccerSoftballSquashSwimmingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyball

Outdoor Education (co-ed)

BackpackingIce ClimbingMountain BikingMountaineering ExpeditionsRock ClimbingWhite Water KayakingWilderness Leadership Training& First-Responder CertificationWinter Camping

8

define yourselfATHLETICALLY.If you love sports, our options are vast.

At Mercersburg, athletics are academics—as much forexcelling and growing as they are learning and bonding.We have 26 varsity sports teams, a new synthetic-turffield, a well-equipped fitness center, modern squash andtennis centers, a competition-size pool (with a new aquaticcenter coming), newly remodeled locker and dressingfacilities, and so much more. Yes, our heritage includes 54 Olympians, but whether you’re a born athlete or abeginner, there’s a place for you in athletics atMercersburg. Just show up ready to play.


COLLIN GREENESuwanee, GeorgiaACTIVITIES:Swimming (Varsity) • Head Blue Key

“I’ve been a swimmer since I was eight,and it’s probably one of the primaryreasons I chose Mercersburg. My dadwas a swimmer at Mercersburg, and hewent on to be an All-American. I’vealways had dreams of swimmingDivision I, and I’m definitely going toget there. The Mercersburg swimmingprogram under Coach Pete Williamshas definitely led me closer to that goal.Coming to Mercersburg was the bestdecision of my life. This school haschanged me as a person and helped meacademically, athletically, and socially.Swimming here has taught me to becommitted and disciplined inacademics. I’ve been able to pushmyself academically because of all theopportunities here. When I wanted totry the arts, I could choose betweenspeech class or computer art ordrawing. Next year, I want to take somemore history classes, and there I haveoptions also: I can choose from threedifferent types of American historycourses. My hope is to attend the U.S.Naval Academy after I graduate fromMercersburg.”


9


Collin“Winning Easterns was a major highlight of my swimming

career; it’s basically the Super Bowl of swimming for prep

schools. It was one of the best moments I’ve ever had with

a group of people; when we actually won, we just jumped

in the pool and went crazy.” 9


KAYLEIGH KISER Branson, MissouriACTIVITIES:Dance • Track (Varsity) • Men’s VarsityLacrosse (Manager) • Mercersburg Newsstaff (photographer) • Class Council

“I never wanted to go to boardingschool, but Mercersburg surprised mecompletely. I thought it would be a placewhere you just do homework and youhave no free time. But within two orthree weeks here, I felt like I was athome. I loved Mercersburg so much thatI never wanted to go home my ninth-grade year. I’m excited about being apeer group leader, as my peer group wasthe most helpful thing to me as a newstudent at a new school. It helped mesettle in and open up. The academics atMercersburg definitely challenge you.My first year was not easy, and in my10th-grade year, the workload increasednoticeably. I had to buckle down anddecide when I could watch TV and hang out with my friends. I’ve reallylearned about time management atMercersburg. Schoolwork is a toppriority, but there’s always somethingfun to do here, and that’s what makes itso great. At Mercersburg, I have proventhat I can dance, and I’ve learned thatI’m a funny person and how to stand upfor myself and speak for what I believe.”



Kayleigh“Dance is such a big deal for me. It probably takes up about

75 percent of my free time at Mercersburg. I’m always in

the dance studio with Ms. Dalton creating and thinking

of new material.”10


define yourselfARTISTICALLY.Open the door to your creativity.

You probably won’t arrive at Mercersburg an Oscarwinner, but you might just graduate with the confidenceto become one.

Two of our alumni are Oscar winners: Benicio del Toroand the late Jimmy Stewart. You can join one of ourmany theatre, music, dance, or literary organizations andperform or exhibit your work in the Burgin Center forthe Arts, our 65,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility.

Fine, Literary, andPerforming ArtsOpportunitiesActing

Advanced Studio Art

Blue Review Literary-Arts Journal

Ceramics

Choral Scholars

Chorale

Computer Art

Concert Band

Dance (ballet, jazz, modern, pointe andvariations, and tap)

Digital Video Art

Drawing

Jazz Band

Magalia (women’s a cappella group)

Octet (men’s a cappela group)

Painting

Play Production

Sculpture

Speech

String Ensemble

Stony Batter Players

Tech Theatre

11


Only 90 minutes by car from Washington, D.C. or Baltimore ... Northern Virginia or Montgomery County, Maryland …

3 hours from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh …

4 hours from New York City.

yes, you and your parentscan get here from there.

12

C To minimize the impact on the environment, this publication is printed on paper made with 30% process chlorine-free post-consumer recycled fiber. The paper is also FSC and SFI chain of custody certified and 100% of the electricity used to manufacture the paper is Green-e certified renewable energy. The inks contain a highproportion of renewable vegetable-based ingredients.

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70194_text:Layout 1 8/9/10 5:05 PM Page 12

SEIZE THE TANGIBLE

Mercersburg difference.• You really can define yourself here.

That’s exactly what our students say they can do here: so manyavenues for scholastic and personal achievement.

• Our intimate classes encourage superior learning. A class usually numbers only 12, and we prefer big Harkness tables over rows of desks so everyone is front and center.

• Our students are comfortable in their own skins.They are happy and down-to-earth. And once you’re here, you’re family—for life!

• Our grads praise our emphasis on self-discipline. Once in college, our alums say they work harder and are smarter than their peers, thanks to the self-discipline and study skills they acquired at Mercersburg.

• Our location is boarding-school perfect.We are completely away from big-city distractions, but easily accessible by car, plane, or train.

Founded 1893, co-educational,independent,private, fullyaccredited.

Grades 9–12 andpostgraduate,430 students, 85 percent boarding, 15 percent day.

$4.9 million instudent financialaid availableannually.

70 percent offaculty holdadvanced degrees.

Financially strong:$182 millionendowment thanks to generousalumni, parents,and friends.

DEFINING QUICK FACTS AboUT mErCErSbUrG

BLUE STORM

MERC E R S BURG

MERC E R S BURG

The Mercersburg Academy

McFarland Road

Rutledge Avenue

75

1 Masinter Outdoor Education Center

2 Culbertson House3 Faculty Home4 Irvine Memorial Chapel5 Burgin Center for the Arts

5a Hale Studio Theatre6 Traylor Hall (Admission)7 Landis House

(Alumni & Development)8 Lenfest Hall9 Keil Hall

10 South Cottage11 Swank Hall12 Rutledge Hall13 McFadden Model

Railroad Museum14 Main Hall15 North Cottage

16 Security Office17 Physical Plant18 Football Field/Track19 Nolde Gymnasium

19a Davenport Squash Center20 Health Center21 Baseball Field22 Buchanan Cabin23 Softball Field24 Ford Hall25 Irvine Hall26 Tippetts Hall27 Fowle Hall

28 Girls’ Field Hockey and Lacrosse Turf Field

29 Faculty Homes30 Smoyer Tennis Center

Frantz Tennis Pavilion31 Class of ’38 Observatory

Playing Fields

Driving Paths

Parking

campus map

Mercersburg Academy abides by both the spirit and the letterof the law in all its employment and admission policies. Theschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion,gender, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.D

esign:

CEH

Des

ign,

Inc

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• w

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70194_cover:Layout 1 8/9/10 5:01 PM Page 2

aboutADMISSION, TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID.Our admission process is highly selective. Each year we receive 600–800 applications for about 150 openings.Demonstration of academic achievement and promise are our primary prerequisites. But we are also veryinterested in your character, curiosity, and drive. That’swhy in addition to standardized test scores, graded papers,and teacher recommendations, we require a personalinterview—ideally here on campus.

Mercersburg has $4.9 million in financial aid availableannually. More than 49 percent of our students receivesome form of financial aid. While our tuition is competitivewith those of other selective boarding schools, we do notwant cost to be a barrier to qualified students. Mercersburgoffers financial aid in many forms, including grants, low-interest loans, and merit scholarships, as well asvarious payment plans.

For current tuition and to apply for admission andfinancial aid, please visit www.mercersburg.edu/admissionand see the section “Affording Mercersburg.”

Questions? We can help.Email us: [email protected]

Phone us: 717-328-6173

Write to us: Mercersburg Academy300 E. Seminary StreetMercersburg, PA 17236www.mercersburg.edu

1 1

300 E. Seminary Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236

717-328-6173 www.mercersburg.edu

Def

ine

Your

self

and

Def

ine

Your

self.

Her

e.ar

e re

gist

ered

ser

vice

mar

ks o

f Mer

cers

burg

Aca

dem

y.

Start your Mercersburg story now!

here.117 graduating classes

23,498 life stories launched

define yourself.

70194_cover:Layout 1 8/4/10 2:07 AM Page 1

viewbook

Documents

mercersburg academy300

mercersburg story

percent boarding

qualified students

admission andfinancial

percent day

selective boarding schools

current tuition