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 (2026)
- 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
Upcoming Events
Top Rankings
Mercersburg Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 274 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Resources
School Resources
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
130 acres
School Motto
Define Yourself Here
Student Body
Enrollment
442 students
320 students
% Students of Color
33%
27%
% International Students
22%
20%
% Students Boarding
83%
66%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academic Profile
Saturday Classes
No
No
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 of Colleges and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS)
Tuition & Financial Aid
Endowment Size
$518 million
$30 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$81,600
$69,500
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$53,340
$38,700
% Students on Financial Aid
50%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$54,215
$25,000
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
29%
64%
Director of Admissions
Michael Conklin
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
23
17
Colors
White, Blue
School Mascot
Thunder the Eagle
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
51
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts and Music Programs:
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
Magalia (female a cappella group)Octet (male a cappella group)
Stony Batter Players (theatre)String Ensemble
College Matriculation
College Acceptance Rate
100%
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
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. 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, 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 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).
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)
Recent Articles
AI Rules at Boarding Schools: A Guide for Families
Learn what families should ask boarding schools about AI rules, academic integrity, student learning, discipline, data privacy, and teacher oversight.
What Happens When a Boarding Student Wants to Leave Midyear?
What happens when a boarding student wants to leave midyear? Learn how families can assess the problem, work with the school, and plan a responsible exit.
How to Evaluate a Dorm’s Social Climate Before Enrolling
Learn how to evaluate a boarding school dorm’s social climate, including friendships, supervision, inclusion, conflict resolution, and student belonging.









