Mercersburg Academy

Founded in 1893, Mercersburg offers a rigorous and dynamic curriculum to students in grades 9-12. Distinctive features include: international study opportunities; 35 AP and honors courses; typically 70 per cent of faculty hold advanced degrees; 55,000 volume Lenfest Library; astronomy center; exceptional college counseling; Outdoor Education Center; 29 competitive varsity sports recognized regionally and nationally; 14-court Tennis Center and Franz Pavilion; 10-court Davenport Squash Center; award-winning fine and performing arts; and new Burgin Center for the Arts (2006). Recent alumni attend the finest colleges and universities, including every Ivy League school, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, among others. The 300-acre campus is convenient to Whitetail Ski and Golf Resort, located just 7 miles from Mercersburg and is used by the Academy’s teams and clubs. Numerous on- and off-campus activities are planned for the weekends by Mercersburg’s student activities director and the Student Activities Committee. Seven buildings provide outstanding dormitory rooms with multiple phone and high-speed Internet connections. Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C. are located 90 minutes from campus.

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Academic and Sports Facilities

55,000+ volume Library; Astronomy Center; new Burgin Center for the Arts; Irvine Hall—main academic facility with labs (science and language classes) and classrooms (discussion-based classes)

Athletic Center—Basketball Courts, 10-court Davenport Squash Center, pool, fitness center; 14-court Tennis Center and Franz Pavilion; Outdoor Education Center (indoor climbing wall and staging area for all outdoor education programs)

Dormitories and School Residences:

Three dorms for boys and four dorms for girls; internet access (most areas have wireless) and telephone with voicemail for each student in their room; televisions in all common rooms, but not in student rooms; air-conditioning and heating controls in each room; laundry facilities on each floor of every dorm; all dorms were fully renovated within the past 8 years.

Student population:

Boys and Girls

Grades:

Boarding and Day 9-12

Number of students in the school

450 students (55 international)

Teacher/Student ratio:

1:5

ESL programs:

Not during the academic year, but a Summer ESL program.

Colleges and universities attended by Mercersburg students

• All of the Ivy League schools as well as Duke, Georgetown, Haverford, Johns Hopkins, Michigan, Middlebury, Northwestern, Pomona, University of Southern California, University of Virginia, Vanderbilt, among others.

Tuition Fees

Boarding: approx. $41,350

Starting dates

• Fall Semester: Early September
• Spring Semester: Early January

Other Services Offered

• Airport greeting and transfer service
• Orientation Service upon arrival
• Assistance in acquiring books and material
• Help with holiday accommodation
• Help with travel services during holidays
• Academic progress reports
• Social progress reports

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Extracurricular activities

• Sports: Mercersburg is a member of the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL). Within this league and at Mercersburg, athletics is an integral part of the daily life of students and faculty alike. Students choose from 29 highly competitive teams offered throughout the year. With a laudable history including over 40 Olympians, the athletic program includes 75% of the student body for at least one interscholastic season a year and encourages students to join teams throughout the year.
• Clubs & Activities: Music groups at Mercersburg include the Chorale, Octet, Magalia, and Chapel Choir for vocal performers, and the string ensemble, jazz, and concert bands for instrumentalists. The Stony Batter Theatre Club, Mercersburg’s oldest student group, dates back to 1894. Students train in techniques of acting, lighting, make-up, stage-managing, stage and costume design, and publicity. Mercersburg’s dance program offers a range of instructional opportunities for everyone. Student publications include the yearbook (Karux), the weekly newspaper (Mercersburg News), and the annual creative magazine (The Blue Review). Students take primary responsibility for writing, photography, art, and production. Students also contribute to the Mercersburg Magazine for alumni, families, and friends of the school. Members of the International Club meet at faculty homes for discussions and dinners featuring food from their native countries. The Model United Nations Club represents various countries at the annual conference held in New York City and has won awards for best position papers.
• Weekend Activities: With Washington, D.C., Baltimore Md., Harrisburg, Pa., Gettysburg and Antietam National Battlefields, Shepardstown, W.V., the Appalachian Trail, and various rivers and mountain ranges all within close proximity, Mercersburg is ideally situated to take advantage of the outdoors and great cultural and urban centers. In addition, Mercersburg offers plenty to do on campus during the weekends, such as sports, concerts and popular films at the historic Mercersburg Star Theatre.

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Contact Info

Closest international and local airports:

• International: Washington-Dulles and Baltimore-Washington Airports
• Harrisburg International Airport
• Local: Hagerstown Regional Airport