Mercersburg Academy Viewbook

define yourself. here.

define yourself. here.M

ercersburg academ

y

Mercersburg will not tell you who you should be.

[ instead... ] we will ask you to

define your best self, your genuine self, the self you want to be.

On a beautiful, storied campus where a Nobel laureate,

Academy Award winners, and Olympians were once just

high school students with dreams who lived in dorms,

hung out in the student center, went to dances, walked to

the Nolde Athletic Center at sunrise, and defended the Blue

and White – you will have the time and the mentors and the

friends to figure out who you want to be.

How will you define yourself because of your Mercersburg years?

There’s only one way to find out.

Be in the middle

of everything

“ For me, it’s working out in the morning, running on the track. It’s just so quiet and really relaxing.”

“ The athletic center, where you can go play basketball, lift, play lacrosse.”

One of the truly exceptional characteristics

of Mercersburg is that everyone – New Englander,

Southerner, Midwesterner, West Coaster, small-town guy

or girl, international cosmopolitan city dweller, or

suburbanite – feels comfortable here.

We are firmly planted in the Mid-Atlantic at a crossroads

of East, South, Midwest, and Northeast that makes us a

great place for cultures and customs, interests and ideas,

styles and backgrounds to mix.

We are designed as a true boarding school in a beautiful

location away from urban distractions but with plenty of

access to five of the greatest Eastern cities of the United

States – Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh,

and Washington, D.C.

We are also close to two international airports, Dulles

International and Baltimore/Washington International,

which makes it easy for students from all over the country

and the world to attend Mercersburg.

And when you’re on campus, every incredible resource at

Mercersburg is yours. Here are some favorite student spots.

Be in the middle

of everything

“ For me, it’s working out in the morning, running on the track. It’s just so quiet and really relaxing.”

“ The athletic center, where you can go play basketball, lift, play lacrosse.”

Be in the middle

of everything

Lenfest Library “The table near the copier on the fourth floor of Lenfest is a great place to get group work done. The chapel room is perfect for solo studying. Not only do you have a great view of the chapel, but every Karux [yearbook] and Blue review [art/literary journal] is housed there.”

“ The soccer field, 10 minutes before practice, just by myself, kicking the ball at the net. It’s very beautiful, especially when it’s later in the wintertime and the sun’s a little lower going through the trees.”

“ The student center is the best place to hang out with friends, play pool and ping-pong, and just chill.”

“ The front steps of Swank Hall because it’s a great meeting place.”

“ I find it really peaceful at the astronomy observatory, especially where Mercersburg is located, to just be able to look up and see all the stars.”

“ The turf on the weekends to play soccer and Frisbee.”

The Chapel “I love to take in all of the history, listen to the Carillon. It’s just a great spot that’s always there, out of the corner of your eye. The artwork and masonry are really gorgeous. Throughout the day, walking around, you hear bells playing.”

The Burgin Center “It is a huge deal, just an awesome place. I have acting and painting classes there. My swing club meets there” ... “I go to the Burgin every study hall to use the computer art lab. It’s just great.”

“ The barn has an amazing climbing wall.”

“ The dance studio is a great place to take dance classes with friends, or just put on some music and start creating something.”

“ In the biology labs we have such a hands-on experience. If we’re doing an experiment, we don’t have to watch it on a video, we can actually do it.”

“ Tippetts Beach to socialize and tan.”

Choosing to go to boarding school is a tradition for some

and a totally new concept for others. We think it should

be a life-changing adventure for everyone. Here’s a taste

of that adventure via Vivi, Johnny, Michaella, Caitlin,

and Jack, on one spring day not so long ago.

One spring day at

Mercersburg.

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vivi:definedHoMeTowN: Lubbock, Texas

“ I’m a writer, an athlete, a performer,

an enthusiast. I’m creative, outgoing,

inquisitive, I’m IRVING! Mercersburg

has encouraged me to become all these

things and more, from its welcoming

atmosphere to its brilliant faculty and

staff. I’m proud to say I can be defined

by every aspect of the ’Burg. The

traditions, the people, the classes,

the opportunities have all contributed

to the joy I find at the end of the

summer, posing for pictures on the

steps of Main Hall.”

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English “ My favorite classes in my time here have been my English courses, not only because I’m typically assigned to do what I love—write—but also because of the atmosphere of class discussion. Everyone is expected and encouraged to contribute freely, and with these equal expectations comes equal respect for everyone involved.”

music “ I go to the Burgin for the music, but even after Chorale and Magalia rehearsals are over, the building stays alive with dozens of visual and performing arts venues.”

student center“The student center is always

a good place to unwind with a game of pool or the

occasional dance on a weekend

night.”

history “One of my favorite assignments included a

historical visit to Gettysburg, with all of the other U.S. History students. We had been learning

about the Civil War and we were told to research a specific soldier and write a letter from his point of view. We submitted the same assignment for our history and for our 11th grade English classes, for a research grade

and a creative writing grade.”

athletics “ At the end of the school day, I love supporting my friends by attending athletic events and, of course, playing in my own.”

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classes“My favorite class is definitely physics. It was a jump for me

to take it as a sophomore, but I decided I could handle the

workload. I love being able to use all the physical resources

located in the classrooms and not just being taught on a

blackboard. The physical part of the work is tremendous due to the amount of resources the

school has for students.”

friends“ I find it great to be able to go to classes and hang out with my friends all day and then get homework help from teachers at night. I am a social person so being with my friends is a necessity for me. That is my favorite part about Mercersburg, being able to have fun with my friends all the time.”

sports practice“Mercersburg has all the

components you need: tremendous athletic programs

and dynamic teachers and classes. The school is well

rounded. The student body is very diverse and you get to meet

so many students from around the U.S. and the world.”

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johnny:definedHoMeTowN: Hanover, Pennsylvania

“ I’ve defined myself at Mercersburg

more than I had previously thought

possible. I’ve discovered a bunch of

new things that I am interested in

and I have learned a lot of great social

skills as well. How would I describe

myself now? In a few words: athlete,

student, and a good friend, outgoing

and affable.”

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michaella:definedHoMeTowN: Gibson Island, Maryland

“ Students are really comfortable asking

for extra help when they need it –

I am a proud user of the Writing

Center. You can also get help with

science, math, and languages – there

are great resources for each specific

area or if that’s your expertise you can

help other students.”

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history“Mercersburg’s nurturing and hardworking

atmosphere has developed me into a student who loves to go to school. I look forward to

what students say and how we all respond to the information we are taught, especially in

my history courses. Because Mercersburg is an international school, you’re in the mix of student

opinions from all over the world – Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa. I love to hear everything everyone has to say.”

athletics“Playing on the tennis team every fall has given me something to look forward to at the start of the school year. My coach, my teammates, the

traveling and the bonding we have on the team, like every other team at Mercersburg, has created a second family outside of my schoolwork. School

spirit is very important to me and defines a part both Mercersburg and I play. We are certainly

proud to be the Blue and White.”

the arts“ Dance practice is another favorite part of my day. The beautiful Burgin Center has amazing facilities and each individual artist, dancer, actor, and singer expresses his or her talents. I love to watch the creations students make.”

dining hall“ The dining hall not only has great food but really shows the sense of community here. We eat family style but every two weeks you switch tables (on Wednesdays and Fridays you can sit with whomever you want). The casual table conversation builds friendly relationships for students and faculty. Tables are all-inclusive rather than separated

only by ‘friend groups’.”

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the arts“I plan on pursuing a career in

theatre and Ms. Mufson has helped me to find summer programs that will

help me. I was accepted and attended an elite summer music program at Carnegie Mellon.

Ms. Mufson is serious about her students; she treats us like professionals and has helped me really go forward

with my plans for the future. She believes in me.”

friends“ At the end of the day there is no place in the world I would rather be than Mercersburg. I feel at home here. I have my friends and teachers who are like parents to me at times.”

academics“Everybody at Mercersburg wants you to succeed.

If you are having issues in class, you and your adviser not only identify the problem but you also come

up with solutions. It’s nice to know that you have such a great support system behind you. Mercersburg

is the perfect size; everybody knows everyone. It’s a tight-knit community.”

think globally“ Mercersburg has so many different people from all sorts of places around the world that it’s hard not to be, and think, globally here. I recently went on a trip to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with the school. This trip encouraged me not only to think more about others but also it inspired me to get out into the world more.”

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HoMeTowN: Hagerstown, Maryland

“ My two favorite classes are AP World

History and my acting directed study

(it’s just me and Ms. Mufson, the

theatre director). Just recently, she

had a guest artist from Washington,

D.C., come in to work with me. It

was amazing. I really gained a new

perspective in a form of physical

theatre that I had never even thought

of. I have grown as an actress in the

past term more than I have in years

of acting classes at home.”

caitlin:defined

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jack:definedHoMeTowN: Delmar, New York

“ Many people think that because

19 members of my family went to this

school before me, it was set in stone

that I would come here. But I’m here

because I genuinely love the school.

Not only did I get the opportunity to

spend a year with my brother, who was

a senior when I started, but I’ve made

friends I will have forever. I play soccer

and basketball, and being on the same

lacrosse team as my brother last year

was a great experience.”

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classes“What I like most about the way classes are

scheduled here is that they rotate every day. It’s nice to change things up and not have the same

class at the same time every single day. Also, having breaks throughout the day is helpful for

relaxing or finishing up any homework.”

group work“ One thing about classes at Mercersburg that I really like is that the teachers implement a lot of group work. You’re able to bounce your ideas off of other students. I think better work is created if you have multiple people putting their thoughts into it. Also, group work is a lot more fun and interesting.”

team practice “After the school day

is over, you usually have around 20 to 30 minutes

until you have to be at team practices. This is a pretty quick

transition, but it still gives people time go to the trainer if

they need any treatment.”

Brainy in a 21st-Century WayThe brains of today’s kids process information radically

differently than they did in previous generations. This isn’t a

theory. It’s been proven again and again by scientific studies

that the key to student learning today is active experience in

what you are learning, whether that is laboratory sciences,

languages, writing, literature, philosophy, mathematics,

robotics, history, or economics. Rather than the traditional

“learning by receiving” model, today’s rigorous curriculum

engages students in learning by doing.

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More than40honors, aP, and

post-aP level courses

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EffECTivE COMMuniCaTiOn

COLLaBOraTiOn

infOrMaTiOn LiTEraCy

CrEaTiviTy, CuriOSiTy, and iMaginaTiOn

PErSOnaL rESPOnSiBiLiTy and

aCCOunTaBiLiTy

CriTiCaL THinking

The Mercersburg Graduate’s Skillset

What good is knowing facts and formulas if you

don’t know how to apply your knowledge to what you

want to do in the 21st-century world? At Mercersburg

you will learn to “connect the dots,” using and

building on your knowledge in meaningful ways.

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The Mercersburg graduate’s

Skillset

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1 You will master not only subjects but also see the relationships

between ideas across subjects.

each class and each school year will build on your knowledge,

leading you to become a critical thinker, an effective

communicator, a smart collaborator, information literate, creative, curious,

imaginative, and responsible and accountable for using your

knowledge well in the world.

With more than 160 courses, including over 40 honors,

advanced Placement, and post-advanced Placement classes, you

can stretch academically as wide and as deep as you like in courses ranging from nature and Meaning of the Universe to Linear algebra

to five levels of Chinese and three levels of robotics.

2

3

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The Mercersburg Graduate’s Skillset

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74%of faculty

hold advanced degrees

2323

Faculty Stars to Guide YouFrom Fulbright scholars to National Endowment for the

Humanities fellows, Mercersburg teachers are some of the

most gifted thinkers and educators you will ever have. Our

faculty teach what they love and love what they do. Seventy-four

percent hold at least one advanced degree. Most have presented

or published in their fields. They travel the world as they further

develop their language skills and cultural understanding. They’re

always moving forward, never saying, ‘I’ve done it this way for

20 years, it’s always worked.’ They refine curriculum continually,

believing that a great course this year might lead

to further innovation next year.

Spanish Language native Speaker “ the Winter telephone Project is a unique hands-on assessment of the classroom material

students have worked with up to that point of the year. the format is a conference call between

the teacher, the student, and a native spanish speaker. the teacher is only a listener and

evaluator. the student experiences firsthand how to share and obtain information within a

conversation in the target language with someone who is not in a classroom setting. the

project reaffirms the student’s confidence in his or her language skills and in how well he or

she can put them into practice.”

— WendY s. VaLenteen, Spanish Faculty, Classical and Modern Languages, Appointed 2004 M.A. – Towson University B.S. – Millersville University

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What Makes good Writing“ in my comparative literature class, instead of standing

at the front of class talking to students about what

makes good writing, i had them research what makes

good writing then produce a documentary about what

they learned. Part of their research was incorporating

interviews with faculty members in the english

department, writing consultants in our Writing Center,

and other students who have had assessments of

their writing.”

— MattheW KearneY, Academic Dean and English Faculty, Appointed 2000 Ph.D. (A.B.D.), M. Phil., M.A., B.A. – Rutgers University 25

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all students and faculty use

iPads

robotics Search and rescue “ For this project, students work on a robot designed to search a maze for heating pads that

represent victims in a disaster scenario. the students’ robots need to navigate the entire

maze and flash a light each time they find a new victim.”

— JULia MaUrer, Mathematics and Science Faculty, Academic Dean, Appointed 1990 Ph.D., M.S.M.E., B.Ch.E. – University of Dayton

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anatomy and Physiology“ dr. selznick, father to two current students and an orthopedic

surgeon in Park City, Utah, presented to two of my anatomy

classes. as part of the class session, students repaired

a fracture by screwing plates into the bone. dr. selznick

described the procedure as if it were a real case study, and

taught students all of the steps to repairing the injury.”

— niKKi WaLKer, Science Faculty, Appointed 2006 M.S. -– California University of Pennsylvania B.S. – Frostburg State University

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free iPad Textbooks … Created by facultyWith the iPad as the school’s digital platform, increasing numbers of Mercersburg faculty have jettisoned the need for students to purchase expensive traditional textbooks in favor of writing and designing their own for the iPad.

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100sof national Merit and aP scholars

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in 11th & 12th gradE yOu WiLL ...

Focus on more independent and in-depth study, building on a strong foundation in each of the disciplines gained during

9th and 10th grade.

in 9th & 10th gradE yOu WiLL ...

Focus on immersion in the disciplines and skills development

that will help carry you through your academic career. You will take english, history, foreign language,

math, science, and two terms of fine arts.

Hallmarks for Every Student

Opportunities each year to invent, conduct original research, present, produce, and innovate

Firsthand international experience (see page 46)

A senior academic capstone project

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English – american, British and World Literature including aP level courses plus senior electives such as Journalism, the Graphic novel, the art of Fiction, existentialism in Literature, Film studies, and many more. History – Over 22 history courses such as aP economics, aP european history, and aP Comparative Government and Politics as well as specialized classes like totalitarian regimes in the 20th Century, Modern Origins of islamic Fundamentalism, and Constitutional Case studies.

Hallmarks for Every Student

Modern & Classic Languages – Five languages offered, including Chinese, German, French, spanish, and Latin, varying from introductory to aP and post-aP courses.religion – a number of courses exploring various world religions and belief systems, including: introduction to the new testament, Buddhism, introduction to World religions.

Mathematics – Courses include several levels, ranging from standard to aP, in algebra, Geometry, Precalculus, robotics, Calculus, and statistics, as well as post-aP courses such as Multivariable Calculus and introductory to Linearr algebra.Science – a wide range of courses, through aP and honors levels, in fundamental scientific areas such as Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, as well as unique and extensive offerings in astronomy, environmental science, human Genetics, Mechanics, and robotics.

fine arts – Within Fine arts, there are four separate disciplines - dance, Music, theatre, and Visual art. More than 25 courses, in addition to several performance ensembles, range from dance Composition to Writing Music for today’s World, and from digital Video art to aP art history.

OvEr 160 COurSES

For full course listings visit www.mercersburg.edu/curriculum

Dive Into a Dream School Training and coaching known for developing collegiate,

Olympic, and professional athletes. Spectacular college-level

teaching and facilities in music, theatre, dance, and studio art.

Participation in one of the most prestigious high school study

abroad programs plus dozens of summer study opportunities,

and amazing school spirit and traditions – it’s all here waiting

for you. Dive in.

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300acres of campuswith 30 school buildings and

11 playing fields

3737

boarding

True Blue LifeNo experience is more instructive, more fun, more personally

challenging, and more attuned to helping you learn about you than

residential life at Mercersburg. Graduating seniors say they grew the

most by living in community – 24/7 – with their classmates. When you

live with someone for nine consecutive months, you learn a lot about

that roommate (plus your hallmates) and yourself – how to behave,

how to manage your own emotions when you’re sharing a fairly

small space, and so much more. This is big stuff and a big reason

you come to Mercersburg.

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residential facultyExperienced faculty members manage

the entire residential life program. All

dorms have deans and live-in faculty.

Dorm faculty members are available

all day, every day, so no students

should ever feel that they lack a

sensitive and informed adult

to consult or rely upon.

a friend-Making MachineThe kinds of friends you make here are different than those

you would make at a day school. You can see it in our alumni –

whether they are in their 20’s or 60’s their Mercersburg ties

are often the most dear to them.

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Structured, not restrictiveResidential life at Mercersburg doesn’t just

happen. It’s a very thoughtful, intentional

program that has been honed over the years

to provide the right amount of structure and

supervision, yet also plenty of freedom, so that

students can truly breathe and enjoy themselves

in an environment where they know what the

community expects of them.

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friends from all gradesAs a student here, you’re always in the

company of equals. In no time you will

discover that 9th and 10th graders mesh

exceedingly well with 11th and 12th graders,

and it’s common to find a senior and a

9th grader becoming best of friends. This is

one of the great benefits of living among

the open and accepting student body that

is a Mercersburg’s trademark.

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irving-Marshall WeekIrving-Marshall Week is a high-spirited assortment of

competitions each February between the Washington Irving

Literary Society (in red and white) and the John Marshall

Literary Society (in blue and yellow). Each student at

Mercersburg is a member of one of the two societies. The

rival groups earn points with victories in traditional sports

and everything from chess to foosball to Iron Chef. The

biggest event is Declamation, when representatives from

both societies, in full formal attire, perform monologues in

front of the entire (cheering) school and a panel of expert

judges from area universities. After the points are tallied, the

winner is declared and the celebration continues at a school

dance, which concludes the winter term.

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4141

fantastic School SpiritFrom battleball to holiday dinners to our mega-

tradition – Irving-Marshall Week – casual and formal

traditions are part of our amazing energy, creativity,

and personality to which every student adds his or

her own personality and ideas.

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experience

Global Adventure at Home and AbroadWhile boarding schools often have students from different countries,

Mercersburg is one of a handful of schools that creates a real

microcosm of the world – attracting students from over 35 nations on

six continents: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia,

and Africa. U.S. students come to Mercersburg from all over the

country, too – at last count 30 states.

What will this rich international and national diversity mean to you?

Imagine looking at a map of the world and seeing far more than bright-

colored countries and bold city names. Instead, you see places where

your friends live. You recognize streets you’ve walked. You know the

scents of the market district and the politics of this region versus

that. You recognize mountains you’ve trekked and forests you’ve

studied. You see places you’ve heard about from your Mercersburg

friends and teachers – new places you plan to explore.

The world invites you in a way that it never did before because you

are confident that you can navigate it – you’ve done it before.

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Over

35nations

represented on our campus

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Our curriculum expands to include adventure and discovery in spring and summer immersion trips.

Students have traveled to South

Africa to work with a rural school;

to Mexico City for the RoboCup

Junior competition; and to Costa

Rica to study turtles and the

rehabilitation of howler monkeys.

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Mercersburg students have

attended symposiums on

three continents, dealing with

environmental, educational,

and socioeconomic issues,

joining other young people

from around the world on field

trips, collaborative projects, and

sessions with global experts.

“ germany is not just fast cars, chocolate, and soccer, although i did have a bar of chocolate a day and watched every World Cup soccer game with my host family. i ate amazing food, visited beautiful castles, and lived the life of a german teenager alongside my new gauss gymnasium friends. Living within the exact german culture i had been studying for the past two years was an indescribable experience.”

– aBBY rYLand, Class of 2012

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Other students spent a week in Oman,

participating in the annual ABA Symposium –

on peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and

combating terrorism – followed by a guided trip

to Israel and Jerusalem.

German studies students visited Munich for

independent study, and French studies students

went to France for linguistic research that included

interviewing native speakers.

the goal is for

ALLstudents to have one international study

experience

“ i am incredibly happy that i went to india over break ... i left a little piece of my heart in india – in the breathtaking mountains in darjeeling, at the orphanage where we worked, on the vizag balcony looking at the waves, and in Calcutta. i know i will come back someday.”

– anMarGaret Warner, Class of 2010

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athletics

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How Do You Define the Athlete in You?Already got your eye on the gold? We can help you get there with

all the resources you need, from advanced coaching and training

to premier facilities and equipment.

Are you an athlete through and through, whose favorite time of

day has always been getting on the field, on the court, or in the pool?

You’ll find expert and encouraging coaches, the best facilities, and the

latest teaching techniques to make your game and your experience

better than ever.

Never played but want to try? Great! We encourage students to test the

waters in any sport that appeals to them. Whether you fall in love with

a sport, discover you’re a natural, or find it the most challenging thing

you’ve tried, the experience of being on a Mercersburg team will add

to your education like nothing else.

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26sports,

25 varsity teams, 20 JV, thirds, and

club teams

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Olympians to ProsMercersburg has produced

54 Olympians, 31 of them from

our swimming program alone

and 18 in track and field.

Premier CoachingOur coaching staff includes an

Olympian, former college athletes

with All-American and All-League

honors, former professional athletes

in basketball and running, and two

coaches with more than 300 career

victories each.

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The Big Leagues22-25 percent of the students in each graduating class are recruited for

collegiate competition; Mercersburg alumni currently compete in the Ivy

League, Pac-12, Patriot League, American East, Big 12, Big East, ECAC,

SCIAA, ODAC, PSAC, and PAC.

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On to the ProsOur alumni have gone on to play for

the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Bengals,

Cleveland Indians, New York Mets,

Los Angeles Lakers, Pittsburgh Steelers,

and San Francisco 49ers. They also own

or manage the Baltimore Ravens and

Indianapolis Colts, and a recent alumna

is an ESPN broadcaster.

newaquatic Center

and Field house planned

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Literally a Power-house of Facilities

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14 tournament-quality courts in the state-of-the-art smoyer tennis

Center/Frantz tennis Pavilion

Plans for a new field house will include a full

200-meter indoor track

11 playing fields, including a synthetic-turf field, two baseball

diamonds, and a softball diamond

3premier hardwood basketball courts

10 -court, top-of-the-line davenport squash Center with viewing areas

5353

Fully -equipped Mcdowell Fitness Center with

suspended indoor track and a wide variety of aerobic and strength-training equipment

9lane x 25-yard Flanagan Pool (with plans for a 50-meter aquatic center)

Ski at Whitetail resort, with its 935-foot vertical drop

from 1,800 feet

5K cross country course, which has hosted the annual Pennsylvania

independent schools state meet

18 hole championship golf course at Whitetail resort

Newly renovated nolde Gymnasium

housing the Cyrus Luther Fulton trophy Lobby and team rooms

400 -meter all-weather outdoor Jimmy Curran track; one of

the best in the league, with wide turns and newly renovated rubber surface

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The MaPL LeagueWe compete in The Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL), which includes prep schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that are known for their academic rigor and the high quality of their sports teams.

MaPL SCHOOLS

Blair academy Blairstown, new Jersey

hill school Pottstown, Pennsylvania

hun school Princeton, new Jersey

Lawrenceville school Lawrenceville, new Jersey

Mercersburg academy Mercersburg, Pennsylvania

Peddie school hightstown, new Jersey

We also compete against teams in the Inter-Academic League (Inter-Ac), Independent School League (ISL), and Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC). Opponents include Bullis School, Episcopal High School, Foxcroft School, Georgetown Prep, Landon School, The Madeira School, St. Paul’s School, and Wyoming Seminary (WySem).

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20 Jv, THirdS, and CLuB TEaMS

BOyS’ TEaMSBaseballBasketballCross CountrydivingFootballGolfLacrosseskiing

soccer squashswimmingtennistrack & Field (spring)Winter track Wrestling

girLS’ TEaMSBasketballCross CountrydivingField hockeyGolfLacrosseskiingsoccer

softball squashswimmingtennistrack & Field (spring)Volleyball Winter track

26 SPOrTS

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25 varSiTy TEaMS

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arts

inSidE THE Burgin: 65,000 square feet of performing and visual arts space, including a 600-seat theatre, 120-seat black box theatre, dance and art studios, art galleries, rehearsal rooms, and recording facilities.

Academy or Arts Conservatory? You May Say, “Both”

The Burgin Center for the Arts is where you learn – and

live – the arts. It’s where you can be Hamlet or Pippin. It’s

where you can learn to throw pots or to pirouette. Where you

can play Bach, Basie, Bernstein, or the Beatles. It’s where

you perform in musicals like Grease, Into the Woods, and

Brigadoon, or serious dramas like The Diary of Anne Frank.

It’s where you experience world-class artists live in

performance, such as Oscar-nominated composer

Philip Glass, the incomparable violinist Itzhak Perlman,

or the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company.

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“ i took a family on a tour today. as soon as we got to the Burgin, the student said, “That’s it. i’m coming here.”

– reed WiddOes, Class of 2015

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it’s not just the Burgin Center – a breathtaking slice of artistic heaven – that will make you wonder if you’re at an arts conservatory, it’s the teaching and opportunities you get here, too. It’s the level of student talent. But here’s what makes it even better than a conservatory – the Burgin is not just for the accomplished artists among us; its doors are open to all and its programs are here for all. In fact, the arts are a key part of everyone’s Mercersburg education and experience – they’re even required for graduation.

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37 arts Courses, no LimitsAs part of a Mercersburg

education, students take

at least two terms of art,

music, or theatre, but many

students make our stages,

rehearsal rooms, art studios,

and scene shops part of each

of their Mercersburg years.

five theatre productions &

eightmusic ensembles

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Batter upStony Batter Players, our more than 100-year-old

theatre company, has produced legendary actors

like Jimmy Stewart (It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr.

Smith Goes to Washington, Rear Window), as

well as next-generation Oscar winner Benicio Del

Toro (Traffic, The Usual Suspects, Savages).

Stony Batter produces two big fall productions,

a major musical, one-acts, Shakespeare scenes,

and a senior production.

Blue review Year after year our Blue Review literary magazine wins

national awards for outstanding writing, editing, design

and layout, artwork, and overall concept. Published

annually, Blue Review combines fiction, creative

nonfiction, and poetry as well as visual art forms.

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artist-in-residence (you)Even accomplished artists could spend four years in the Burgin art studios and

never run out of guidance, equipment, and resources to take their work to the

next level. Mercersburg students regularly win prizes in juried arts competitions.

Many have received Gold or Silver Key Awards in the longest-running and most

prestigious awards program for creative young students in the United States;

that program is located right here in Pennsylvania. Student work is also shown

regularly in the Niche and Cofrin Galleries.

twoacademy award

and 2 Golden Globe winners,

1 emmy award winner

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Classic rock, rhythm & BluesSingers and players have their pick of a range of styles in four vocal

ensembles (The Octet, Magalia, The Chorale, Chapel Choir) and

four instrumental groups (The Concert Band, The Jazz Band, The

Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble). All ensembles perform in

The Burgin and at important school events such as graduation. The

Octet takes its show on the road to venues such as Disney World

and the Kennedy Center. The Band and Chorale combine music and

community service by performing at local schools and retirement

centers, as well as at cultural icons such as Cathedral Church of

Saint John the Divine.

Café Society?If you wish you could have attended Gertrude Stein’s

salons in Paris or been part of Virginia Woolf ’s

Bloomsbury Set in London, The Fifteen, a prestigious

student-faculty literary group, may be just what you’re

looking for. Each year, the top 15 seniors are selected

to meet with faculty for dessert and discussions of

contemporary and classic literature, writing, and trends.

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dance WowDance here has a way of making total converts out of the most avid skeptics. Students

(often guys, but not always) arrive at school saying loudly “Not me!” whenever dancing is

mentioned. Then they see their first student dance concert and they say, “Hey, I want to do

that!” Whether you’re already a serious dancer and want to work with amazing faculty and

guest artists from New York City, Chicago, and around the world or you are newly inspired by

the athletic physicality and flexibility dance requires, prepare to be wowed by the range and

caliber of the program.

• Dance studios with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, ballet barres, costume rooms, and floors specifically designed for dancers’ shoes

• Two major productions each year

• Dance styles ranging from ballet to flamenco to swing

• Student opportunities to serve as lighting designers, stage managers, sound engineers, and choreographers

• Nationally-recognized guest choreographers, including Cathy Young, now director of the dance division for the Boston Conservatory; duane Lee holland, an actor and dancer who has performed on Broadway; and Lees hummel, who has choreographed for the american Ballet theatre and performed in film and television

• Students participate in regional and national dance competitions

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“ Most dancers who go to professional schools are dying for corrections because it means your teachers are noticing you. Here, everyone is known and you get that same level of teaching as the conservatories. you get corrections and direct contact with fantastic faculty and guest faculty who really know what they are doing.”

– Lane deCOrdOVa, Class of 2012

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Endeavor to Do MOESure, you’ve seen heroes clinging to cliff faces and sleeping in snow

caves in the movies. But this is the stuff of real life when you come

to Mercersburg.

Mercersburg Outdoor Education (MOE) teaches you how to make

good decisions under pressure, appreciate the world around you, and

be self-reliant and resourceful. Guided by faculty and staff who are

outdoor education and leadership experts, beginning and advanced

students can participate in our on-campus Endeavor program and

daylong local events, as well as multiweek global expeditions.

While kayaking through white rapids, biking through deserts, ice-

climbing in historic national parks, and trekking in Peru, you learn

the importance of personal responsibility, leadership, integrity, and

teamwork. Lessons that make you an everyday hero in your own story.

explore

inSidE THE MaSinTEr OuTdOOr EduCaTiOn CEnTEr: a renovated 10,000-square-foot timber-frame barn that is home to a 1,100-square-foot indoor rock-climbing wall, 30 kayaks, 8 canoes, 25 bikes, and 100,000 feet of rope.

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Mercersburg Outdoor education

was founded in

2004and continues

to grow

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From nearby James Buchanan state Park to the Grand tetons and Peru, MOe strives to show students the diversity of the world’s environments. some of our operating areas include:

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Mercersburg Outdoor Education Program: Backpacking, ice Climbing, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering expeditions, rock Climbing, White Water Kayaking, Wilderness Leadership training & First responder Certification, Winter Camping

Hike dolly sods Wilderness area, Monongahela

national Forest, West Virginia

24mountain biking trails designed by the international Moutain

Biking association at raystown Lake

Climb seneca rocks in seneca, West Virginia

41.7mile-long antietam Creek in Pennsylvania and Maryland

37 miles from Mercersburg is Michaux state Forest and climbing

on beautiful schaffer rocks

18.5 acres to explore at James Buchanan state Park

Bike the many trails at Zion national Park, Utah

1085 acres to explore at Cowan’s Gap State Park,

20 minutes from campus

6969

1 hr south is the shenandoah river in West Virginia

517,000 acres at allegheny

national Forest to hike and kayak

Raft down the Potomac river through Virginia/West

Virginia/Maryland

108 miles to Youghiogheny river, Pennsylvania

Scale some of the best climbing walls in the

Metro dC area including earth treKs, sportrock, and others

Try your hand at ice climbing and winter camping

in the adirondacks

Travel to White Mountain national Forest in

new hampshire to backpack

33mountain peaks at Cordillera Blanca in Peru

See and hike the Grand Canyon national Park in arizona

1978miles from Mercersburg to Grand teton national Park

in Jackson, Wyoming — one of MOe’s most memorable trips

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The Best in the Business(Highly Personalized, Total College Counseling)What you get is a department of experts who are dedicated

full time to exploring alternatives, helping you narrow the

field, targeting your course selections and applications, then

finally working with you to maximize your options – this is

what you pay for and this is what you get.

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“ We are truly a national prep school, and that’s what makes us truly a national college counseling office. We need to have a working knowledge of 400, 500, 600 colleges, because every year we will have kids apply to 300 or 400 different colleges.”

– BiLL MCCLintiCK, director of College Counseling 2008–2009 President, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC); Three years NACAC Vice President for Admission Practices; Five years NACAC Liaison to the NCAA; Regular contributor to New York Times education blog, The Choice

Graduates include

11 Fulbright scholars, 7 rhodes scholars,

1 nobel laureate

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Step By StepOur counselors will assist you in laying out your Mercersburg and summer activities in order to

meet your objectives. They’ll help you find volunteer work, plan college visits, and organize your

applications. College counseling here isn’t merely sage advice, but a highly intentional, multiyear

process of building and shaping a strategic plan around you and your goals.

Counseling begins when you first arrive in the ninth grade, with informal advice and test prep classes.

Pretty soon, you’ll take the real tests, like the PSAT, which can qualify you for a National Merit

Scholarship. Your college counselors will schedule you to meet admission officers from colleges and

universities all over the U.S. who visit Mercersburg every year.

Our goal is that in your senior year you will receive acceptances from at least one, if not several,

of your preferred colleges.

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American University

Amherst College

Arizona State University

Babson College

Barnard College

Bates College

Boston College

Boston University

Bowdoin College

Bucknell University

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Catholic University of America

Chapman University

Colgate University

College of Charleston

College of William & Mary

College of Wooster

Colorado School of Mines

Columbia University

Connecticut College

Cornell University

Davidson College

Dickinson College

Duke University

Drexel University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emory University

Fairfield University

Florida State University

Franklin & Marshall College

Furman University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Gettysburg College

Harvard University

Indiana University at Bloomington

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Lewis & Clark College

Louisiana State University

recent College Matriculations

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Loyola University Chicago

Macalester College

MIT

Marquette University

McGill University

Muhlenberg College

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oregon State University

Pitzer College

Purdue University

Saint Joseph’s University

St. Lawrence University

Stanford University

Susquehanna University

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Trinity College

Tufts University

United States Military Academy

United States Naval Academy

University of Arizona

University of California at Berkeley

University of Cambridge (England)

University of Chicago

University of Mary Washington

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of Southern California

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

Vassar College

Washington University

Wake Forest University

Wellesley College

Williams College

Wesleyan University

Wheaton College (MA)

Yale University

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$198 million

endowment

Financially strong:

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6 16

3

13

15

37

11

38

12

31

5

28

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1 Baseball Field

2 Buchanan Cabin

3 Burgin Center for the Arts

4 Class of ’38 Observatory

5 Class of ’07 Field

6 Culbertson House

7 Curran Track

8 Davenport Squash Center

9 Flanagan Pool

10 Football Field

11 Ford Hall

12 Fowle Hall

13 Hale Studio Theatre

14 Health Center

15 Irvine Hall

16 Irvine Memorial Chapel

17 Keil Hall

18 Kuhn Wrestling Center

19 Landis House (Advancement and Alumni Relations)

20 Lenfest Hall

21 Main Hall

22 Masinter Outdoor Education Center

23 McFadden Model Railroad Museum

24 Nolde Gymnasium

25 North Cottage

26 Physical Plant

27 Plantz Courts

28 Regent’s Field

29 Rutledge Hall

30 Security Office

31 Smoyer Tennis Center/ Frantz Tennis Pavilion

32 Soccer/Lacrosse Field

33 Softball Field

34 South Cottage

35 Steiger Field

36 Swank Hall

37 Tippetts Hall

38 Traylor Hall (Admission)define yourself. here.

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25 30

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About Admission, Tuition, and Financial AidOur 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 very interested in your character, curiosity, and drive.

While our tuition is competitive with those of other selective

boarding schools, we do not want cost to be a barrier to qualified

students. Mercersburg offers financial aid in many forms, including

grants, low-interest loans, and merit scholarships, as well as

various payment plans.

Questions? We can help.

Go online: www. mercersburg.edu Email us: [email protected] Call us: 717-328-6173 Write to us: Mercersburg Academy

300 E. Seminary Street Mercersburg, PA 17236

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Copyright © 2012 Mercersburg Academy. All rights reserved. No content from this publication may be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written consent of Mercersburg Academy. “define yourself.” and “define yourself. here.” are registered trademarks of Mercersburg Academy.

C Printed on recycled paper.

49%

of students receive need- or merit-

based aid


viSiT uS

it’s Easy to get Here • We are an easy 90-minute-drive from

Washington, d.C., Baltimore, northern Virginia, or Montgomery County, Maryland

• 3 Hours from Philadelphia or Pittsburgh

• 4 Hours from New York City

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

300 East Seminary Street, Mercersburg, PA 17236

800-588-2550 www.mercersburg.edu


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