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 28 states and 31 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 $11 million in annual financial aid.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 452 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,500
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,350
- Acceptance rate: 22%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Upcoming Events
Top Rankings
Mercersburg Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Resources
School Resources
Selectivity
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1893
1907
Campus Size
300 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Blue
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
452 students
319 students
% Students of Color
44%
27%
% International Students
21%
21%
% Students Boarding
82%
67%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
75%
72%
Summer Program Offered
No
Yes
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$422 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$75,500
$66,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$48,350
$35,500
% Students on Financial Aid
48%
40%
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
22%
64%
Director of Admissions
Grace Megaffin
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
29
16
Sports
Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track, Wrestling
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
55
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Anime Club, Art Club, Asian Student Union, Baking Club, Beyond Borders, Black Student Union, Blue Key Society, Blue Review, Book Club, Chapel Ushers, Chess Club, Climbing Club, Computer Programming Club, Conservative Club, Democrats of Mercersburg, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fencing Club, Fifteen, Fitness Club, Four-on-the-Floor, French Club, Gamers Club, Green Team, Irving Literary Society, Jewish Club, Karux (yearbook), Kuyi Songwriting Club, Latinx/Hispanic Student Union, Marshall Literary Society, Math Club, Mercersburg News, Mindfulness Club, Model Railroad Club, Our Disabilities and Abilities Club, Photography Club, Physics and Philosophy Club, Ping-Pong Club, Poetry Club, Robotics, Ruk, Sixth Man, Ski Club, Student Activities Committee, Student Alumni Association, True Blue Law Society, Women’s Activist Club, Youth Group
Arts and Music Programs:
Chapel Choir, Chorale, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Magalia (female a cappella group), Octet (male a cappella group), Stony Batter Players (theatre), String Ensemble
Anime Club, Art Club, Asian Student Union, Baking Club, Beyond Borders, Black Student Union, Blue Key Society, Blue Review, Book Club, Chapel Ushers, Chess Club, Climbing Club, Computer Programming Club, Conservative Club, Democrats of Mercersburg, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fencing Club, Fifteen, Fitness Club, Four-on-the-Floor, French Club, Gamers Club, Green Team, Irving Literary Society, Jewish Club, Karux (yearbook), Kuyi Songwriting Club, Latinx/Hispanic Student Union, Marshall Literary Society, Math Club, Mercersburg News, Mindfulness Club, Model Railroad Club, Our Disabilities and Abilities Club, Photography Club, Physics and Philosophy Club, Ping-Pong Club, Poetry Club, Robotics, Ruk, Sixth Man, Ski Club, Student Activities Committee, Student Alumni Association, True Blue Law Society, Women’s Activist Club, Youth Group
Arts and Music Programs:
Chapel Choir, Chorale, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Magalia (female a cappella group), Octet (male a cappella group), Stony Batter Players (theatre), String Ensemble
College Matriculation
Year:
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
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 28 states and 31 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.
- Mercersburg Academy accreditations: Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Mercersburg Academy cost?
Mercersburg Academy's tuition is approximately $75,500 for boarding students and $48,350 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Mercersburg Academy?
The acceptance rate of Mercersburg Academy is 22%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 64%. Mercersburg Academy's acceptance rate is ranked as one of the top boarding schools with low acceptance rates.
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 29 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Golf, Kayaking, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Mercersburg Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
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, Low acceptance rates, Most sports offered, 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.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
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. . .
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. . .
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)
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Mercersburg Academy also viewed these schools: The Hill School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Deerfield Academy, Phillips Academy Andover and Phillips Exeter Academy.
The nearest boarding school to Mercersburg Academy is Saint James School (19.1 miles away)
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
540 students 123.3 miles 860 Beech Street
Pottstown, PA 19464
(610) 326-1000
Pottstown, PA 19464
(610) 326-1000
123.3
9-12, PG
540
867 students 289.8 miles 333 Christian Street
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
Wallingford, CT 06492
(203) 697-2239
289.8
9-12, PG
867
653 students 333.1 miles 7 Boyden Lane
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-1400
Deerfield, MA 01342
(413) 774-1400
333.1
9-12, PG
653
1,154 students 401.8 miles 180 Main Street
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4050
Andover, MA 01810
(978) 749-4050
401.8
9-12, PG
1,154
1,106 students 420.8 miles 20 Main Street
Exeter, NH 03833
(603) 777-3437
Exeter, NH 03833
(603) 777-3437
420.8
9-12, PG
1,106
Recent Articles
Wait A Year Before Going to College
This article explores the benefits of taking a gap year or a postgraduate year before attending college. It discusses how these options can provide students with additional time to refine their academic skills, gain practical experience, and mature before entering higher education. The article highlights the advantages of both paths, including improved college readiness and enhanced personal growth.
The St. Grottlesex Schools
Generous financial aid and a commitment to diversity are hallmarks of the 21st century release of St. Grottlesex. More here.
Financing a Boarding School Education
Financing a boarding school education can be very confusing for many parents. Here are some strategies to help you understand your options.
