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EXCERPT FROM A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR MERCY HIGH SCHOOL

Where We've Been—
A Brief History of Mercy High School

Mercy High School was founded by the Diocese of Norwich in 1963 to provide Catholic secondary education to young woman of Middlesex County. Mercy was housed in temporary quarters on the second floor of Xavier High School until our new building was completed in September of 1965.

Stemming from the teachings of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy High School was established "to aid in the formation of young Catholic women and to help prepare them to take their proper places in life, while being... practically conscious of their eternal destiny." Three principals have guided the school in this mission: the Reverend John Kane, from 1963 to 1971; Reverend Daniel McGrath, from 1971 to 1978; and currently, Sister Mary McCarthy, RSM, who began her tenure in 1978.

Our strategic plan, first developed in 1994 and updated by the Board of Trustees in 2000 and 2005, calls for ongoing changes to meet the needs of an increasing number of students. We have completed many of the projects outlined in the strategic plan, including: renovating the former convent into art rooms, a darkroom and photography lab, two computer labs, guidance offices, a classroom and administrative offices; enlarging the library, including a new computer lab; renovating our science labs; expanding our athletic fields; and installing wireless technology to bring us into the twenty-first century.

This capital campaign will complete the next step in our plan to bring the faculty up to date.

The Dream—Expanding Our Vision, Ensuring the Future

Did you know?

• Our gym is the oldest and smallest in the Southern Connecticut Conference (SCC), which makes our successful sports program all the more remarkable! We often cannot host games in our own facility because of limited seating.
• The dance team and cheerleaders practice in hallways because the sports teams need the gym space. Team practices often last into evening because the present space is not adequate for even two teams to practice at the same time.
• Although the sports teams involve nearly half of our students, everyone has to take physical education. The challenge to our teachers is to devise activities that fit the small gym space.
• our gym is also a focal point of social and extracurricular activities at Mercy.

What the New Gym Space Would Mean...

• Interscholastic teams could host home games on a reglation-size court, with seating for more than 800 fans.
• Four practice areas would allow side-by-side practices for sports, dance team and cheerleaders.
• Simply put, our new facilities will allow Mercy to accommodate growth and maintain a challenging athletic program for current and future students.

We'll Also Expand...

• Our Music Program, which is highly successful and growing. We're currently crowded into a single small room for classes and rehearsals. New facilities, including rooms for classroom instruction and practice for music and theater performances, will fulfill the needs of our students.
• Our Endowment, to offer more scholarships and tuition assistance to deserving students who wish to attend Mercy.

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