Boarding School Review - Established 2003

Mercersburg Academy

5.00 (20 reviews)
100 Academy Drive Mercersburg PA 17236
Tel: (717) 328-6173
www.mercersburg.edu
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 442 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $81,600
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,340
  • Acceptance rate: 29%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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About the School

  • Founded in 1893 in southern Pennsylvania, Mercersburg Academy gives students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates the opportunity to live and learn with fellow young adults from 26 states and 38 countries.
  • Mercersburg students benefit from a 300-acre campus, a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 150 academic courses, 26 varsity sports teams, a robust performing and fine arts program, an outdoor education program, dozens of clubs and student organizations, global travel opportunities, and $12 million in annual financial aid.

Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 442 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $81,600
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,340
  • Acceptance rate: 29%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

Mercersburg Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 269 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Low student-teacher ratio
School Resources
Large financial endowment
School Resources
Highest endowment/student
Student Test Scores
High average SAT scores
Student Test Scores
High ACT scores

School Overview

2026 School Data
Mercersburg Academy
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1893
1906
Campus Size
300 acres
125 acres
School Motto
Define Yourself Here

Student Body

Enrollment
442 students
320 students
% Students of Color
33%
27%
% International Students
22%
21%
% Students Boarding
83%
65%
Average SAT Score
1403
(Out of 1600)
* National Avg. »View
Average ACT score
32
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Restrictions apply for standard dress
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
73%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Accreditations
Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size
$518 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$81,600
$71,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
$53,340
$40,000
% Students on Financial Aid
50%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$54,215
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
Yes
Weekly

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Admissions

Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)
Yes
No
Acceptance Rate
29%
64%
Director of Admissions
Michael Conklin
Application URL
Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered
23
17
Sports
BaseballBasketball
ClimbingCross Country
DivingField Hockey
GolfKayaking
LacrosseMountaineering
Rock ClimbingSkiing
SoccerSoftball
SquashSwimming
Swimming and DivingTennis
TrackTrack and Field
VolleyballWinter Track
Wrestling
Colors
White, Blue
School Mascot
Thunder the Eagle

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
51
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Art ClubAsian Student Union
Black Student UnionBlue Key Society
Blue ReviewBook Club
Chapel UshersChess Club
Climbing ClubComputer Programming Club
Conservative ClubFellowship of Christian Athletes
Fencing ClubFifteen
Fitness ClubFour-on-the-Floor
French ClubGamers Club
Green TeamIrving Literary Society
Jewish ClubKarux (yearbook)
Kuyi Songwriting ClubLatinx/Hispanic Student Union
Marshall Literary SocietyMath Club
Mercersburg NewsMindfulness Club
Model Railroad ClubOur Disabilities and Abilities Club
Photography ClubPhysics and Philosophy Club
Ping-Pong ClubPoetry Club
RoboticsRuk
Sixth ManSki Club
Student Activities CommitteeStudent Alumni Association
True Blue Law SocietyWomen’s Activist Club
Youth Group


Arts and Music Programs:
Chapel ChoirChorale
Concert BandJazz Band
Magalia (female a cappella group)Octet (male a cappella group)
Stony Batter Players (theatre)String Ensemble

College Matriculation

College Acceptance Rate
100%
View Matriculation Data

School Notes

  • Founded in 1893, Mercersburg Academy is an environment that allows young people to navigate their teenage years unfettered but supported and supervised. Mercersburg has more than 130 years of perfecting what it means to be a proving ground for college and life. With students from 26 states and 38 countries, Mercersburg is a microcosm of our global community. We offer a beautiful 300-acre campus with impressive facilities, 150 academic courses, 26 varsity sports teams, nine music, dance, and theatre ensembles, 30+ student clubs, an outdoor education program, a global travel program, and other offerings. Relationships developed here are authentic and lifelong. Our faculty have dedicated their professional careers to working with teens, and our students define themselves here and graduate inspired to change the world.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Jimmy Stewart '28 - Academy Award-winning actor
    • Benicio Del Toro '85 - Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor
    • Mel Stewart '88 - Olympic Gold Medal swimmer
    • Michael Davies '85 - Emmy Award-winning producer, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
    • Rebecca Lowe '99 - NBC sportscaster; former ESPN UK and BBC sports journalist
Source: Verified school update
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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Mercersburg Academy cost?
Mercersburg Academy's tuition is approximately $81,600 for boarding students and $53,340 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Mercersburg Academy?
The acceptance rate of Mercersburg Academy is 29%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%.
Who are famous alumni from Mercersburg Academy?
Mercersburg Academy famous alumni include: Jimmy Stewart '28, Benicio Del Toro '85, Mel Stewart '88, Michael Davies '85 and Rebecca Lowe '99.
What sports does Mercersburg Academy offer?
Mercersburg Academy offers 23 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling.
What is Mercersburg Academy's ranking?
Mercersburg Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student-teacher ratio, Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student, High average SAT scores and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Mercersburg Academy?
The application deadline for Mercersburg Academy is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Student & Alumni Reviews

Review
Description

Class of 2018
5.00
University of Pennsylvania
Mercersburg has an incredibly beautiful campus. It is a place for reflection as much as anything else. The gothic chapel is designed by the architect who built Princeton University's chapel, and it carries a rich. . .

Class of 2018
5.00
Vassar College
Mercersburg has a unique community in that everyone is so connected and there really is a sense of family among the students and teachers. Everyone is incredibly kind, welcoming, ambitious, and curious. the relationships I. . .

Class of 2016
5.00
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Mercersburg had a rotating class schedule, and kept all classes under an hour. This way, students were able to learn for concentrated amounts of time, four hours a week, while not experiencing their least favorite. . .
Show more reviews (17 reviews)
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Quick Facts (26-27)

  • Grades: 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 442 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $81,600
  • Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $53,340
  • Acceptance rate: 29%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update
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