Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
Encyclopedia
Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School is a private
, Roman Catholic, all-girls high school
in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
. The tuition is $14,500 per year.
. The school shares a campus with Gwynedd Mercy College. In 1861, the sisters of Mercy established the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia.
The Academy began in Assumption Parish and later changed location to a residence at Broad Street and Columbia Avenue in Philadelphia. By August 1863, there were 28 students. Over the years the Academy experienced many changes and eventually moved to the Taylor Estate in Gwynedd Valley, where the Sisters converted stables and erected a science building to serve the Academy and College from 1947 to 1955. In April 1955, construction of the building for the elementary and secondary schools was completed and the Academy of Mercy became Gwynedd Mercy Academy.
Enrollment continued to increase and in 1982, the Sisters of Mercy purchased the Spring House Public School to house the elementary division. The high school remained in the facility that was built in 1955.
Over the years, Gwynedd Mercy Academy has evolved its programs in response to changing needs. In Montgomery County
there was a great need for specialized classrooms for Art and Music and for a Performing Arts Center. The first phase of construction was completed in August 1999. A new library, Art and Music rooms, music practice rooms, a writing lab and a tiered lecture hall, as well as new tennis courts and a track were included in this first phase.
Enrollment increases and student talents highlighted the need for continued development of a Performing Arts Center. The Renaissance Campaign was organized to finance the second phase which was completed in March 2004. This area encompasses the main entrance and lobby, a chapel with movable seats to accommodate 50 persons, and an auditorium which seats 525. Also included in that phase are storage areas, a dressing room and a TV studio.
Today GMA has an enrollment of 408 girls in grades 9-12 and continues to respond in all areas to the needs of the times.
A woman of Mercy, who in the tradition of Catherine McAuley, responds generously to the needs of the poor and alienated persons of society.
A woman who is well prepared for the challenges of a college experience.
A woman who actively engages in the learning process and is committed to the continual development of her unique gifts, talents and abilities.
A woman of integrity who fosters right relationships and justice for all persons.
A woman who communicates effectively and uses her influence to bring about social change.
A woman who demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, technological competence, flexibility, and an appreciation of diversity - ingredients for success in her future endeavors.
A woman who demonstrates respect for herself and others; makes wise choices and accepts responsibility for her actions.
A woman who appreciates creativity and beauty in their myriad forms of expression.
A woman who is empowered to become an authentic witness of Mercy in the global community of the 21st Century.
http://www.kateharper.net/
Jillian Mele '01 Local News Anchor, NBC 10
Anita Luff Smith ’76 - president and CEO of Capital Blue Cross
[article unfinished]
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, Roman Catholic, all-girls high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania
Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania
Lower Gwynedd Township is a township in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,405 at the 2010 census. The township comprises four villages: Gwynedd, Gwynedd Valley, Penllyn, and Spring House....
. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in southeastern Pennsylvania, in the United States. It covers the City and County of Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. The diocese was...
. The tuition is $14,500 per year.
Background
Gwynedd Mercy Academy was established as the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy in 1861 by the Sisters of MercySisters of Mercy
The Religious Order of the Sisters of Mercy is an order of Catholic women founded by Catherine McAuley in Dublin, Ireland, in 1831. , the order has about 10,000 members worldwide, organized into a number of independent congregations....
. The school shares a campus with Gwynedd Mercy College. In 1861, the sisters of Mercy established the Academy of the Sisters of Mercy in Philadelphia.
The Academy began in Assumption Parish and later changed location to a residence at Broad Street and Columbia Avenue in Philadelphia. By August 1863, there were 28 students. Over the years the Academy experienced many changes and eventually moved to the Taylor Estate in Gwynedd Valley, where the Sisters converted stables and erected a science building to serve the Academy and College from 1947 to 1955. In April 1955, construction of the building for the elementary and secondary schools was completed and the Academy of Mercy became Gwynedd Mercy Academy.
Enrollment continued to increase and in 1982, the Sisters of Mercy purchased the Spring House Public School to house the elementary division. The high school remained in the facility that was built in 1955.
Over the years, Gwynedd Mercy Academy has evolved its programs in response to changing needs. In Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part...
there was a great need for specialized classrooms for Art and Music and for a Performing Arts Center. The first phase of construction was completed in August 1999. A new library, Art and Music rooms, music practice rooms, a writing lab and a tiered lecture hall, as well as new tennis courts and a track were included in this first phase.
Enrollment increases and student talents highlighted the need for continued development of a Performing Arts Center. The Renaissance Campaign was organized to finance the second phase which was completed in March 2004. This area encompasses the main entrance and lobby, a chapel with movable seats to accommodate 50 persons, and an auditorium which seats 525. Also included in that phase are storage areas, a dressing room and a TV studio.
Today GMA has an enrollment of 408 girls in grades 9-12 and continues to respond in all areas to the needs of the times.
Graduate Profile
A competent and compassionate woman of Faith, who chooses to live her life rooted in Gospel values.A woman of Mercy, who in the tradition of Catherine McAuley, responds generously to the needs of the poor and alienated persons of society.
A woman who is well prepared for the challenges of a college experience.
A woman who actively engages in the learning process and is committed to the continual development of her unique gifts, talents and abilities.
A woman of integrity who fosters right relationships and justice for all persons.
A woman who communicates effectively and uses her influence to bring about social change.
A woman who demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, technological competence, flexibility, and an appreciation of diversity - ingredients for success in her future endeavors.
A woman who demonstrates respect for herself and others; makes wise choices and accepts responsibility for her actions.
A woman who appreciates creativity and beauty in their myriad forms of expression.
A woman who is empowered to become an authentic witness of Mercy in the global community of the 21st Century.
Notable Alumnae
Kate Harper '74 - Pennsylvania State Representativehttp://www.kateharper.net/
Jillian Mele '01 Local News Anchor, NBC 10
Anita Luff Smith ’76 - president and CEO of Capital Blue Cross
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