Mount Mercy Academy's
Academics at a Glance

OVERVIEW

CURRICULUM

All students will take courses in Art or Music, English, World Languages, Mathematics, Physical Education, Theology, Social Studies, and Science.

Students will graduate with at least 29 credits. (exceptions to this are made on a case-by-case  basis)

GRADUATION UNITS REQUIRED

English 4 units             Social Studies  4 units

Math   4 units               Science   3 units                      

LOTE   3 units              Theology  4 units

Art/Music 1 unit         Health   0.5 unit

Phys. Ed. 2 units         Electives  3.5 units

HONORS COURSES

For freshmen who enter Mount Mercy Academy with excellent grades and recommendations, honors courses are eligible in English, Global Studies and Living Environment to provide a more rigorous and challenging curriculum, as well as preparation for future enrollment  in Honors, AP and college level courses.

AP COURSES               

Biology                         US History

Chemistry                   Statistics 

English Language      Calculus AB      

English Literature       Psychology

World History             Studio in Art

THE ACADEMIES WITHIN THE ACADEMY               

The Science and Healthcare Academy 

The Mount Mercy Science and Healthcare Academy is a unique career internship program for students to gain first-hand knowledge of many different careers in the healthcare field. 

Students will have the opportunity to interact with professionals in the field of their choice as well as have exposure to many other careers. Mount Mercy has teamed up with the administration and staff at Mercy Hospital to create an authentic learning experience for Mercy girls. Students begin interacting with the professional community as freshmen through the Health Care Career Club and continue through the Science and Healthcare Academy. Each student enrolled in this program will have the opportunity to be placed in an internship in the field of her choice.

The Mount Mercy Women in the Social Sciences Academy 

Academy provides a rigorous program for students whose interests lie in the Social Sciences. Students will complete challenging Social Science coursework and participate in various experiential learning opportunities as they explore career paths within the Social Sciences. This Academy creates a cohort of students on similar career paths so that they can create meaningful contacts that will be an asset to them after they have graduated from Mount Mercy.

Students earn one of several distinctions at graduation. These distinctions include Women in Law, Women in History, Women in Government, Women in Social Work, Women in Psychology, and Women in Criminal Justice. 

Business and Finance Academy 

The Mount Mercy Business and Finance Academy gives Mount Mercy students the tools to make smart financial decisions and learn how to navigate the business world. In the 2021-2022 academic year, the students in the Business Academy showed their dedication and creativity with the official opening of a women-owned and student-run cafe called the Magic Market. Students in the Academy work at the on-campus market every morning during homeroom and during select sporting events. The goal of the Business and Finance Academy is to empower students to pursue entrepreneurship. 

The Leadership Academy        

The Mount Mercy Leadership Academy has achieved an impressive level of prestige based on the rigorous curriculum. Students from local 8th grade middle schools compete for acceptance into the academy based upon the recommendation of their middle school principal. Once accepted, students participate in experiential learning and service opportunities that will enable them to realize the many gifts that they have been given and understand their role in using these gifts in order to make the world a better place. 

Recently, Mount Mercy expanded the Leadership Academy from an 8th grade program to a five-year academy in order to complement the four other existing “Academies within the Academy.” Students who participate in the Leadership Academy complete service work, both in and out of school, that incorporates the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy. 

The Visual Arts Academy 

The Mount Mercy Visual Arts Academy was designed for students with a strong interest in the visual arts. While many of these students will someday work in an art related career, others are simply passionate about the arts and plan to pursue a career in another field. This Academy provides students with a solid foundation in the arts through a sequence of academic courses, career exploration opportunities and inspiring interactions with fellow students, faculty, and professional artists. 

The four-year curriculum gives students the opportunity to develop and explore their artistic styles through participation in art shows, attendance at professional exhibits, learning from distinguished guest speakers, and career-driven field trips. Mercy girls develop visual and digital portfolios of their artwork.