Mercy McAuley High School
| McAuley High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
6000 Oakwood Avenue , , 45224-2334 | |
| Coordinates | 39°12′2″N 84°33′12″W / 39.20056°N 84.55333°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private, All-Female |
| Motto | The Brilliance of Balance |
| Established | 1960 |
| Oversight | Sisters of Mercy of the Americas |
| President | Cheryl A. Sucher |
| Principal | Nicole Brainard |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Color(s) | Gold and Burnt Sienna |
| Athletics conference | Girls Greater Cincinnati League |
| Team name | Mohawks |
| Accreditation | North Central Association of Colleges and Schools [1], Ohio Catholic School Accrediting Association |
| Tuition | $8,975 plus $600 for the Tablet PC Program |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati |
| Website | http://www.mcauleyhs.net |
McAuley High School is an all-girls private, Catholic high school in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Young women from all over the Cincinnati area and parts of Indiana have found a home at McAuley High School, where a community of caring, faith, culture, and life are cultivated. Today, McAuley High School remains a comprehensive Catholic school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. McAuley has a 50-year history of academic excellence and is designated a National Blue Ribbon School by the US Department of Education. McAuley provides a balanced education with a high level of focus on academics. Unique programs focus on careers in medicine, engineering, and law. McAuley also offers students comprehensive sports and arts programs, an innovative Tablet PC program, and a progressive schedule. Located in the vibrant Cincinnati community of College Hill, McAuley's essential focus is to create an environment designed to help young women develop their intellect, gifts and talents.[2]
Background
The McAuley High School tradition, which began in Ireland in 1831, is rooted in the ideals and beliefs of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley. Catherine McAuley believed most ardently in the importance of the education of women. Two centuries later, McAuley High School continues to carry out her vision. In 1958, Archbishop Karl J. Alter chose the Sisters of Mercy to establish a new high school in College Hill. The Archbishop donated 15 acres of land and handed over the responsibility of constructing the school to the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy broke ground on August 28, 1958, and in 1960 the school opened with an enrollment of 200 young women (Freshmen only). A class was added in each of the next three years. The first graduating class was in 1964. The original building still stands in all its beauty and glory due to the Sisters' foresight in using top quality materials. In 2002, seven new science labs, a fitness room, two music rooms, a conference room, and an expanded gymnasium and cafeteria were added to better accommodate the growing needs of the students. In 2008, the school completed a renovation of the original 1,000 seat auditorium. [3]
Admissions
Student's apply to McAuley High School by taking the High School Placement Test (HSPT0, complete and submit an admission application, and the school's health form must be signed by the family physician as proof of immunizations. McAuley does not discriminate against any students due race, color, or national/ethnic origin. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Scholarships are based on a students performance on the entrance exam, as well as legacy, leadership, service, and Brilliance of Balance. McAuley also provides a work credit program in which students stay after school for one hour each day to clean rooms. There is also a summer work credit program in which students can work for one week. McAuley works to make the Brilliance of Balance accessible to as many as possible.
Academics
McAuley focuses on preparing her students for the intense atmosphere of college. In compliance with the State of Ohio Minimum Standards, 24 credits are required for graduation. The credit requirements for graduation include 4 Theology, 4 English, 3.5 Social Studies, 3 Science, .5 Physical Education, .5 Health, 1 Fine Arts, 4 Mathematics, .5 Computer Literacy, and 2 Foreign Language. Students must take a minimum of six credits per year and be scheduled for at least six courses per semester. The school year is divided into 2 semesters and exams are administered at the end of each semester (before Christmas break and before summer break).
Scheduling
To continuously improve our learning environment, we have developed a progressive schedule that allows for longer class time. The schedule is based on a four-day rotation. Each day a student will have two 80 minute classes and four 50 minute classes. Each student will have a total of eight scheduled classes with only six classes occurring each day. Out of a four-day rotation, each one of a student's classes will meet three out of four days. On day five, the four-day rotation begins again.
School Traditions
A McAuley woman is a woman of faith, a woman of excellence, a woman of respect for herself and others, a woman of compassionate service, and a woman empowered to influence the world. We believe that the McAuley graduate leaves as a woman, well prepared to lead, to serve, and to love.
Spirituality
At McAuley High School, spiritual development is integral to the life, education, and formation of our young women. The Office of Campus Ministry offers a variety and depth of programs to meet the spiritual needs of all its students. While some aspects of the student’s spiritual development plan are required elements, all programs give the student the freedom to express her uniqueness and gifts as “created in God’s image.” Campus Ministry’s programs are centered in the Catholic-Christian tradition flavored by the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy. Students are empowered to assume major roles in the planning, facilitating, and leading of retreats, liturgies, and prayer experiences. Campus Ministry guides the training process for the students who take on these special ministerial roles. Students of all class levels take leadership roles in the spiritual programs of the school, whether facilitating small groups on retreats, planning Masses, or leading prayers.
Liturgies
Throughout the school year, the McAuley community gathers as one to worship, celebrate, and pray together. Masses and prayer services are led by various student clubs and organizations. The following is a list of our annual liturgies: Opening of The School Year--Prayer Service (First Week of School--led by Student Council) Mercy Day Mass--The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy (September 24th--led by Student Council) Upperclass Induction Mass (Second Week of October--led by Junior Class) Feast of All Saints (November 1st--led by the Foreign Language Department and its Students) Thanksgiving Mass (Tuesday before Thanksgiving--led by the Faculty and Staff) Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8th--led by the Service And Justice Program) Sophomore Pinning Ceremony (December 12th--Foundation Day for the Sisters of Mercy--led by the Sophomore Class) Advent Prayer Service (Last week of Advent--led by the Sister Families) Catholic Schools Week/Celebrate Life Mass (Last week of January--Catholic Schools Week--led by G.O.L.D. Club) Ash Wednesday Service (Solemn beginning of Lent--led by the National Honor Society) Grandparents’ Mass (Second Sunday in March--led by the Development Office and Student Ambassadors) Mother-Daughter Mass (First Friday in May--the month of our Blessed Mother--led by the Senior Class) Closing of the Year--Prayer Service (Second last week in May--led by Student Council) Baccalaureate Mass (Last week of May--led by the Senior Class) Every Friday at 8am, Communion Services are offered in Christ the Teacher Chapel for the members of the McAuley Community.
Retreats
Every year, students take between one and three days to reflect on their life and relationships. The Freshman Day of Reflection is held during the school day on the McAuley campus. Their focus is building a Christ-centered community. It is facilitated by leaders from the junior class and faculty members. It is designed to help the freshmen build community within their class. The Sophomore Day of Reflection is held at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood, OH. They focus on reconciling with others. The day is facilitated by the senior class Emmaus retreat leaders and faculty members and is designed to help the sophomores reflect on their past and present relationships and see how God is calling them to action in those relationships. Junior Retreat is an Overnight Retreat at Bergamo Center in Dayton, OH. This retreat focuses on Christ’s Love for Each of Us. The two-day, overnight retreat is coordinated by the young adult staff at Bergamo and consists of witness talks, small group discussion and reflection, and prayer designed to allow students to develop a more mature relationship with God and their peers. Emmaus Retreat is a 3 day experience offered to Seniors. It is help at Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, OH. The retreat is centered on the Emmaus story from the Gospel of St. Luke. The three-day, two night retreat is led by trained members of the senior class who have made the Emmaus experience at the end of their junior year. The retreat consists of witness talks by the students and faculty team members, small group prayer and reflection, and large group spiritual activities designed to nurture and deepen the student's personal faith journey. While the Emmaus retreat is not mandatory, most seniors choose to make the retreat because of the overwhelmingly positive experience they have had in the retreat program.
Family Program
The McAuley High School Family Program was initiated in 2008. We created 27 families at McAuley, each with an unique Irish name (to proudly represent the Irish roots of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy), symbol and colors. Every family is made up of several students from each grade level. This helps promote unity and friendship among all members of the McAuley community and allows students to meet friends they wouldn't usually encounter in the classroom. Throughout the year sisters will have the opportunity to get to know one another through a variety of ways, such as the Mercy Day Picnic, service projects (and MERF), Mohawk Madness competitions and other social events! Families meet each Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:15a-8:30a.
Alma Mater
Our cherished Alma Mater, We're proud to belong to you,
With hearts staunch and true, We'll dare and we'll do for God and Country too.
Your patron holds the beacon that guides our footsteps here.
McAuley High we love you, Our Alma Mater dear.
Let Mercy's shield protect us, Upon life's stormy way.
May Mary's hand direct us unto a glorious day.
Your colors bold, the brown and gold, Inspire to loyalty.
McAuley High we love you, Our Alma Mater dear!
[4]
Student Organizations
From plays to sports to service projects, McAuley provides multiple opportunities for her students to get involved at school, to be leaders in the community, and to grow into the women she aspires to be.
Service and Justice League
Living Catherine McAuley's mission is central to the philosophy of McAuley High School. Our service and justice program is designed to be as student led as possible, to offer school and community service opportunities, and to educate students about the needs of our community and the world. KEY Club, MERF, CSTAT, and Green Team are the main components of the Service and Justice League. This program is lead by the service coordinator with the help of the Service and Justice League which consists of League Leaders (president, vice president etc.), KEY club project chairs, the Green Team, and MERFettes. KEY Club is a national high school service organization. Its purpose is to provide service to the McAuley community and the Cincinnati area. Service projects include assisting shoppers at a local food pantry, working with kids with disabilities, serving dinner to the homeless, tutoring at-risk students in reading and math, participating in several walk-a-thons and other annual clean up or collection events, and many more! MERF stands for the McAuley Emergency Relief Fund. MERFettes are the representatives of the MERF program within their McAuley Family. They are responsible for educating their family about the current collection, sending around the collection can, and announcing service and justice opportunities to their family. CSTAT stands for the Catholic Social Teaching Action Team and provides for the justice portion of the league. It is an organization of high school students committed to living the Gospel message by raising awareness of the social injustices that permeate our society. With the themes of Catholic Social Teaching as their guide, members actively participate in the work of creating a world where all people are live in dignity and peace. Grub for Justice meetings are held throughout the year which are sponsored by CSTAT. At these meetings, students from multiple schools in the area meet to learn more about the injustices of the world and to discuss how to make a positive impact on the world. The Green Team is composed of students who are interested in promoting a more environmentally-friendly school and community. Members meet to discuss new recycling programs and other ways McAuley can help the environment. The Green Team is in charge of running the Recycle Center and all other new recycling programs.
Various Clubs
McAuley offers a wide variety of clubs. For students who are more artistically inclined, McAuley has an Art Club, Dance Team, Crochet Club, and Fashion Club. For the more academically inclined, these students may find their place in Latin Club, French Club, Spanish Club, Book Club, History Club. Along with these organizations McAuley provides National Honor Society, National History Honor Society, and National Foreign Language Honor Societies for those who qualify. Different student leaders of the school are generally involved in Ambassador's Club as well as Student Council. Students involved with Ambassador's Club serve McAuley as positive role models in many ways: acting as tour guides at Open House, escorts for shadows, hostesses at various school functions, etc.
"Women In" Program
The “Women In” Program is an academic program of McAuley High School that provides students with a peek into the fields of medicine, engineering and law. This four year program is open to selected incoming freshmen who have above average standardized test results and have excellent academic grades at their elementary schools. This program is also open to students who have completed their freshman year and who meet the required standards. During the freshmen year of the “Women In” Program students will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of Women in Medicine, Women in Engineering and Women in Law. After completion of the freshmen year, “Women In” students will choose one of these programs to continue studying.
Awards and recognition
During the 1999-2000 school year, McAuley High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education[5][6], the highest award an American school can receive.[7][8]
A joint vocal ensemble from McAuley and LaSalle High Schools, won the Overall Grand Champion Award at the 2006 Nashville Music Festival in April.[9]
The Varsity bowling team traveled to the state championships in 2007 and 2008, finishing in 5th place both years. The 2007-2008 final overall record for the Mohawks was 21-1. The Mohawks were also GGCL Champs and took 3rd place in the Holiday Classic held at Western Bowl on December 15, 2007.
Notes and references
- ^ NCA-CASI. "NCA-Council on Accreditation and School Improvement". Retrieved 2009-06-23. [dead link]
- ^ History, accessed January 19, 2012
- ^ "McAuley High School Handbook 2006-2007" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-02-21.
- ^ "McAuley High School Handbook 2011-2012" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-01-06.
- ^ Two area schools earn blue ribbons: McAuley High, Christian Academy cited for excellence, Cincinnati Enquirer by Sue Kiesewetter, September 22, 2000
- ^ Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized 1982-1983 through 1999-2002 (PDF), accessed May 11, 2006
- ^ CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
- ^ Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
- ^ McAuley High School Annual Report 2005-06, accessed February 23, 2007