Mother of Mercy by Jordan Kellogg

Mother of Mercy High School

Mercy’s Mission Mother of Mercy High School, a Catholic secondary school for young women sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, provides quality educational programs in a Christian community which promote life-long learning and strong, clear Mercy values: Faith, Compassion, Service, Leadership and Excellence. Empowered by these values and by the discovery of their individual giftedness, Mercy women are equipped to think critically, communicate effectively, embrace life and beauty, act with compassion and integrity, and assume roles of service and leadership in society.

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Inside

The Mercy tab is published by the Specialty Publications Department of The Community Press/ The Community Recorder.

A message to parents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Questions and comments can be sent to Editor Melissa Hayden c/o The Community Press/Recorder/394 Wards Corner/Loveland, OH 45140 e-mail mhayden@communitypress.com. Or call 248-7121.

You’ve just got to be thinking Mercy . . . .5

Faculty, staff maintain focus . . . . . . . . . .4

I’m Thinking Mercy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Calendar of events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

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‘Perks’ of being a Mercy parent . . . . . . . .9 Mercy technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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A message to parents from Mercy's president Set your children on the right path, and upon it they shall remain. - Prov: 22-6

still a wonderful opportunity to look not only at next year, but to where you see your daughter in four years, and in 40. I can tell you there is a confidence in Mercy girls as a whole that astounds me. When I became Mercy’s president, I These young ladies are enercame not only as a leader for an getic, focused and serious academic institution – I came as about their learning. It’s a parent of two young girls, obvious that the faithready to assess the true filled environments in value of Mother of Mercy which they are maturHigh School for its families. ing, both at school What I’ve found at and at home, are proMercy are exemplary teachviding the ideal comers who prioritize the needs bination for leadership of each student and continualto result and futures to ly further their own professional be realized. By Mercy’s development; I’ve seen an adminisacademically challenging curtration that works diligently at keeping riculum that provides exactly the right our “product” of the highest quality and amount of support as well as accountacontinually seeks ways in which to bility, the girls of Mercy gain valuable improve; I’ve met parents who remain skills and work habits while developing actively involved in their daughters’ the inner strength essential to fulfilling education and spoken with alumnae their God-given talents and ambitions. whose tremendous success in college Please come visit Mercy and spend and beyond is attributed to the direction some time with us. You and your they received at Mercy. Lastly, I’ve witdaughter really have to experience this nessed the compassion our girls have for school! In so doing, I have to believe one another as they grow together you’ll understand why I say, “It’s the through different challenges. So you see, Catholic high school gem of the west Mercy’s outstanding academic, athletic, side.” and artistic success with 100 percent of Feel free to contact me at our girls continuing on to college, is not macdougal_k@motherofmercy.org at all by chance; it’s by a consistent commitment to excellence throughout our Kirsten MacDougal entire community. President, Making the best choice in a high Mother of Mercy High School school, while at times overwhelming, is

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Mother of Mercy High School

Faculty, staff maintain focus Mother of Mercy’s faculty and staff always maintain their focus; in fact, ‘Focus’ is the theme for this school year. They are focused on each student’s success, focused on each student’s happiness, focused on each student’s future. As one senior student said, “All of the teachers here encourage me to strive higher and accomplish more than I ever thought I could! I really can’t imagine any other high school preparing me for life in the way that Mercy can.” With an average of 21 years teaching experience, Mercy’s faculty is dedicated and professional, anxious to help each student achieve her greatest potential. One teacher told his class at the end of the year, “I like to think of what I do not as necessarily teaching, but as sharing a part of myself and what I hold dear. You have proven worthy of the gift;

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I hope you cherish it.” Mercy students do cherish it – consider the statistics: • 100 percent of the Class of 2008 and 2009 went on to higher education • 70 percent of the Class of 2009 shared in scholarship offerings totaling $7.4 million, or

more than $70,000 each • Class of 2010 has two National Merit SemiFinalists and four Commended Students • Nationally, 18 percent of students who take AP Exams become AP Scholars; at Mother of Mercy, 44 percent become AP Scholars

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You've just GOT to be thinking Mercy! “I love walking up the Mercy steps - it builds character... and burns calories! I love everybody’s positive energy and happy smiles. I love everyone’s willingness to help and get involved and have innovative, creative ideas.” - Karina, Class of 2010

Mother of Mercy High School

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I’m thinking…………..

CONFIDENCE

BOBCATS

Four years of high school transforms a girl to a woman. A Mercy girl is not only empowered by the challenging curriculum, but she also learns how and when to take responsibility as she comes to better understand the importance of accountability. The educational experience and opportunities at Mercy for leadership help each girl grow into a confident woman, one who will make a difference in her community, in her country and around the globe.

Experiencing the thrill of physical competition can add unforgettable fun and challenge to your high school days. More than a third of Mercy students play on the 25 different varsity, reserve and freshmen teams. Mercy athletes are marked with respect, sportsmanship, dedication and self-discipline. Bobcats are proud to be part of Mercy’s long tradition as a premier school for women’s athletics in Cincinnati and the state of Ohio.

I’m thinking…………..

ACADEMICS Mercy’s curriculum is built around a collegiate “block” schedule that provides more concentrated, quality time in the classroom and prepares students for the seminarstyle of instruction found in colleges. Each school day consists of four 85minute classes that meet on an every-other-day rotation. This unique schedule allows for the most effective integration of Mercy’s advanced technology and encourages active learning through engaging discussions, indepth laboratory work, and detailed research. The diverse curriculum approach ensures that every Mercy girl is appropriately challenged and properly supported to reach her greatest potential.

I’m thinking…………..

National Merit Scholars

I’m thinking…………..

FAITH There’s something extraordinary about sharing your faith feelings with your friends in a family atmosphere of respect and trust. The development of clear values, a deepening of one’s faith, and reaching out in service to others are definite qualities of a Mercy education. Mercy has a four-year, powerful retreat program, culminating with senior Kairos, which is cited by an endless number of graduates as one of the most valuable experiences they had while a student at Mercy.

EXTRAS Mercy’s numerous clubs and activities give our students the amazing opportunity to discover and develop their leadership abilities. Over 90 percent of Mercy students participate in the many clubs and activities over 30 different clubs and organizations from which to choose! From art, music and drama to sports, science, service and more, a girl can certainly find her niche at Mercy.

I’m thinking…………..

ARTS Mercy’s Fine Arts Department is like no other. It is the most honored and widely respected program in Cincinnati, with one of the highest number of Overture Award nominations and more Scholastic Art Awards than any other Archdiocesan High School. An award-winning music program features the only high school Hand Bell Choir in the city! Every year, drama-loving students have a blast while experiencing five different productions. Performances of Mercy’s ever-popular fall musical are featured at the College of Mount St. Joseph’s Theatre.

Mother of Mercy High School

Calendar of events • October 25, 2009 Open House for prospective students and their parents; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. • November 6, 7 & 8, 2009 Fall Musical - “Jesus Christ Superstar”; 7:30 p.m. - College of Mount St. Joseph Theatre (7 p.m. show time on Sunday, Nov. 8) • November 7, 2009 Test Prep Class; 8 a.m. to noon • November 21, 2009 Eighth Grade Placement/Scholarship Test; 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. • December 11, 2009 Christmas on Campus Overnight for eighthgrade girls; 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. • December 18 & 19, 2009 Christmas Concert; 7:30 p.m. - Mercy Theatre • January 7, 2010 Sophomore Play “Disnee Divas”; 7 p.m. Mercy Theatre • March 5, 6 & 7, 2010 Spring Play - “Dancing at Lughnasa;” 7:30 p.m. Mercy Theatre (7 p.m. show time on Sunday, March 7) • May 2, 2010 Art Show; 1 - 4 p.m. • May 6 & 7, 2010 Freshman Play - “OneAct Festival;” 7:30 p.m. • May 14 & 15, 2010 Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m. -Mercy Theatre

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‘Perks’ of being a Mercy parent mination, ethics and absolute kindness. Also, 1. Mercy’s faculty – our events, classes and even there are no boys! Nothsenior picnic lunches teachers, as well as the ing wrong with boys, of every day! staff and administration course, but there’s a lot of 4. Mercy’s location – are outstanding. It’s so evidence that both girls obvious they all genuinely centrally located in the and boys remain more heart of the west side, care about each student academically focused in Mercy is an easy commute single-sex schools. and her future and serve from nearly every neighas wonderful examples 7. Mercy’s community borhood. for the girls. – it becomes just like 5. Mercy’s faith – our 2. Mercy’s values – extended family. Girls Catholic identity is seam- often say it feels like each Mercy student will come to personify Mercy’s lessly woven into every you’re coming “home” school day at Mercy, founding values of faith, when you come to Mercy. service, compassion, lead- building for each student The whole family an incredible foundation ership and excellence. As becomes part of the circle recognized by her conduct of strength for her future. of Mercy. The faith experiences that and her confidence, one 8. Mercy’s respect – are offered are amazing, can always pick out a you talk, they listen – realespecially the Kairos Mercy girl in a crowd. ly. And they respond. retreats. 3. Mercy’s campus – There’s great school sup6. Mercy’s girls – the the campus is beautiful, port in everything acastudent population at secure, expansive – it’s demic and extracurricular Mercy is of very high like a little oasis in the here and parents are quality with stellar acamiddle of the city which actively involved and demic performance, deter- treated as partners in the is used continually for

A Parent’s Top 10 List

education of their daughters. 9. Mercy’s preparation – Mercy girls are terrifically well prepared for college academically, spiritually and morally. With an intense college-prep curriculum modeled in the manner of higher education with longer class time through block scheduling and integrated, optionbased technology, Mercy students have been arriving at college completely and confidently ready. 10. Mercy investment – Mercy is like a supple-

mental college-savings account! The bounty of scholarship offerings to nearly 70 percent of Mercy seniors annually is tremendous and consistent. Additionally, with Mercy’s many Dual Credit and AP course selections, there are even more ways to receive college credit for a fraction of the cost. Mercy knows how to help each student earn the most she can toward college expenses! It’s the best return on investment around and it pays dividends for life.

Mother of Mercy High School

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