Boarding High School in Pennsylvania

Mercersburg Academy:
Located in Mercersburg PA, 70 miles southwest of Harrisburg and 90 minutes from Washington D.C., Mercersburg Academy is an independent, co-educational college-preparatory boarding school for grades 9-12. Mercersburg has been educating US and international students since 1893, and although much has changed over 116 years, the mission of the school has not. We remain committed to providing our students with the best education in the classroom and beyond. We are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Academics:
Mercersburg offers demanding college-preparatory courses ranging from art history and world religions to field biology. Other subjects include math, English and foreogn languages. Students learn through their interaction with dedicated faculty and through homework and research for projects and papers. The classroom structure promotes discussion and connection. With peers and teachers, students become collaborators in the learning process.

Mercersburg’s curriculum offers students the opportunity to explore ideas through discussions, lectures, tutorials, and broad exposure to the liberal arts.

The school offers 156 courses from its eight academic departments. In almost all areas of the curriculum, qualified students are able to enroll in any of the 41 AP, post-AP, and Honors courses.

Students may also create their own course with an independent or directed study in a special area of interest. All seniors conclude their Mercersburg studies with an original senior project.

Faculty members are available outside of the classroom for consultation and help sessions. Additional student resources include the Writing Center and the Learning Services Center, which provide targeted study skills training and tutoring for students.

College Exam Preparation Courses:
College preparation at Mercersburg happens both in and out of the classroom—starting on day one. Throughout grades 9-12 students take PSAT and SAT Exams with college counseling and advice offered throughout the entire senior years.

Advanced Placement Courses:
Advanced Placement courses are offered in English, history, classical and modern languages, mathematics, and the sciences. The following courses are available:

- AP British and World Literature
- AP American Literature
- AP Modern European History
- AP United States History
- AP Art History
- AP U.S. Government & Comparative Politics
- AP French Language
- AP French Literature
- AP German Language
- AP Latin-Catullus/Ovid
- AP Latin-Vergil
- AP Spanish Language
- AP Spanish Literature
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP Calculus AB Syllabus
- AP Calculus BC Syllabus
- AP Computer Science
- AP Statistics
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Physics
- AP Environmental Science

Arts & Culture:
Here at Mercersburg, the arts are a vital component of a student’s education.  We offer programs in music, dance, theatre, and studio arts to our students. The campus sizzles with creativity. Student artwork adorns the walls; student theatrical productions often sell out. Singing groups bring the joy of music to campus and beyond.

Students hone their skills—but more important, they develop new confidence and discover fundamental truths about who they are and where they might go in life. The arts affirm students and move them to consider new perspectives and ambitions.

Athletics:
Mercersburg, with a strong athletics program and Olympian alumni, has long valued the strength of the body as well as the mind. Physical education here is a vital part of the total school curriculum for all students. Programs are designed for individuals to increase physical compe-tence, assess health related fitness components and promote independence.

The goals are for students to enjoy physical activity and develop a life-long positive approach to physical activity. In accordance with the recommendations from the American Pediatrics Association, the National Education Association and the Surgeon General, Mercersburg’s Physical Education Program is designed to meet the minimal standards of at least one hour of vigorous activity four days per week.