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Aerial view of Mercy McAuley High School
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Mercy McAuley High School

  • LocationCincinnati, OH
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 342 students
  • SponsorSisters of Mercy

All-female

Official website

Mercy McAuley High School is an all-girls Catholic college-preparatory school in Cincinnati, Ohio, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. Its booklet requires four credits of theology to graduate, one theology course each semester, and the theology sequence includes Catholic Social Teaching. Campus Ministry says it coordinates the liturgy, prayer and retreats, and retreats are offered in all four years.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Mercy McAuley High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSaint Clare Catholic Church: 0.5 mi1Saint Therese Little Flower Catholic Church: 1.1 mi2Saint Margaret Mary Church: 1.2 mi3Saint Anthony Shrine: 1.7 mi4Saint Vivian Catholic Church: 2.0 mi5Saint Ann Church: 2.1 mi6Campus Ministry, Mercy McAuley High School: 0.1 miMercy McAuley High School (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Clare Catholic Church — 0.5 mi
  2. Saint Therese Little Flower Catholic Church — 1.1 mi
  3. Saint Margaret Mary Church — 1.2 mi
  4. Saint Anthony Shrine — 1.7 mi · 5000 Colerain Avenue, Cincinnati
  5. Saint Vivian Catholic Church — 2.0 mi
  6. Saint Ann Church — 2.1 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/ASacramental life: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearA few times a year (All-school liturgies are held, and a junior class Mass is on the school calendar for October 21.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry coordinates the liturgy, prayer, and retreat components of a Mercy McAuley education.”
      Campus Ministry coordinates liturgy, prayer and retreats.
    2. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “performs in various school activities, all school liturgies”
      School liturgies are held.
    3. School Calendar | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/school-calendar · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Jr. Initiation Mass & Reception”
      A junior class Mass is on the school calendar for October 21.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (School Masses are confirmed; the named ministry leader is the Director of Ministry.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry coordinates the liturgy, prayer, and retreat components of a Mercy McAuley education.”
      Campus Ministry coordinates liturgy, prayer and retreats.
    2. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “performs in various school activities, all school liturgies”
      School liturgies are held.
ATheology and curriculum: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Theology and curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (All students must have four credits of theology to graduate, with one theology course per semester; theology is taken in every grade (computed as four full years).)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to have 4 credits of theology to graduate.”
      Four credits of theology are required to graduate.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredYes (The required theology course Catholic Morality covers moral teaching (an ethics course in a Catholic setting).)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Morality 11 Req. 1 Sem. 0.5”
      Catholic Morality is a required theology course in grade 11.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The mission statement names a Christ-centered community, and the program of studies states that English courses use the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “use the filtering lens of Catholic Social Teaching”
      English courses use the lens of Catholic Social Teaching.
      “committed to excellence in education, compassionate service, and leadership in a Christ-centered community”
      The mission names a Christ-centered community.
N/ACampus culture: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Campus culture

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    RetreatsRetreats for some grades (Freshman, sophomore and junior retreats are required; the senior retreat is optional.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered to students during all four years.”
      Retreats are offered in all four years.
      “This first retreat experience, required of all freshmen, challenges 9th graders”
      The freshman retreat is required of all freshmen.
      “The optional senior retreat encourages students to answer the question”
      The senior retreat is optional.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One professional ministry leader is named (the Director of Ministry).)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Any questions about our campus ministry programs can be directed to Dave Nissen, Director of Ministry, at (513) 681-1800 x1132 or nissend@mercymcauley.org.”
      Dave Nissen is the Director of Ministry and the contact for campus ministry.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
BService and Catholic social teaching: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

81 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Required service hoursFewer than 40 hours (A specified number of service hours is required to graduate.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Every student is required to complete a specified number of service hours by the time they graduate.”
      Every student must complete a specified number of service hours to graduate.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Catholic Social Teaching is a required one-semester theology course in grade 10.)
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Social Teaching 10 Req. 1 Sem. 0.5”
      Catholic Social Teaching is a required theology course in grade 10.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Off-campus service-learning opportunities and local and international summer service trips are offered.)
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “faith formation, and off campus service-learning opportunities”
      The school offers faith formation and off-campus service-learning.
    2. Service | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “There are even opportunities for local and international summer service trips.”
      Local and international summer service trips are offered.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Four credits of theology are required to graduate, with one theology course every semester.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “All students are required to have 4 credits of theology to graduate.”
      Four credits of theology are required to graduate.
  • Catholic Social Teaching is a required theology course in grade 10.
    Sources (1)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Catholic Social Teaching 10 Req. 1 Sem. 0.5”
      Catholic Social Teaching is a required theology course in grade 10.
  • Retreats are offered in all four years, and the freshman, sophomore and junior retreats are required.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are offered to students during all four years.”
      Retreats are offered in all four years.
      “This first retreat experience, required of all freshmen, challenges 9th graders”
      The freshman retreat is required of all freshmen.
  • Off-campus service-learning and local and international summer service trips are offered.
    Sources (2)
    1. 2026-27 Course Booklet | Mercy McAuley High Schoolresources.finalsite.net/images/v1769030562/mcauley/lrje4qtwdjhjz5fciidf/2026-27MMHSCourseBookletFINAL.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “faith formation, and off campus service-learning opportunities”
      The school offers faith formation and off-campus service-learning.
    2. Service | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “There are even opportunities for local and international summer service trips.”
      Local and international summer service trips are offered.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Mercy McAuley High School

  • Address: 6000 Oakwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: mercymcauley.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mercymcauley.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

9 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 3 off campus, 6 location not published

Retreats 4

  • Junior retreatOff campus
    Overnight, required of juniors
    Required overnight retreat at the Bergamo Center in Dayton.
    mercymcauley.org
  • Senior retreatOff campus
    Three days, optional
    Optional three-day retreat at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, the culminating experience of the retreat program.
    mercymcauley.org
  • Freshman retreat
    One day, required of freshmen
    Required one-day retreat focused on Catherine McAuley and the meaning of a Mercy community.
    mercymcauley.org
  • Sophomore retreat
    One day, required of sophomores
    Required one-day retreat on serving others and examining value judgments.
    mercymcauley.org

Service 3

  • Summer local and international service tripsOff campus
    Summer
    Optional service trips, local and international.
    mercymcauley.org
  • Christian service program
    Students complete a specified number of service hours by graduation.
    mercymcauley.org
  • Women Lead yearly project or service requirement
    Women Lead participants complete a yearly project or service requirement.
    resources.finalsite.net

Liturgy and prayer 2

  • School liturgies
    All-school liturgies are held during the school year.
    resources.finalsite.net
  • Junior class Mass and reception
    October 21 (calendar)
    A junior class Mass followed by a reception on the school calendar.
    mercymcauley.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/student-life/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Campus Ministry coordinates the liturgy, prayer, and retreat components of a Mercy McAuley education.”
    Campus Ministry coordinates liturgy, prayer and retreats.
    “Any questions about our campus ministry programs can be directed to Dave Nissen, Director of Ministry, at (513) 681-1800 x1132 or nissend@mercymcauley.org.”
    Dave Nissen is the Director of Ministry and the contact for campus ministry.
    “Campus Ministry coordinates the liturgy, prayer, and retreat components of a Mercy McAuley education.”
    Campus Ministry coordinates liturgy, prayer and retreats.
  2. Location | Mercy McAuley High Schoolmercymcauley.org/about-us/location-directions · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “6000 Oakwood Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45224”
    The school is at 6000 Oakwood Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45224.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

BAcademic Excellence: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
79 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.97%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.15.5 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeIndependent Catholic school
DioceseArchdiocese of Cincinnati, OH
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)342
Students in grades 9–12342
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio15.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges97%
SettingCity

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Cincinnati

The Most Reverend Robert G. Casey, Archbishop of Cincinnati

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: catholicaoc.org, catholicaoc.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Mercy McAuley High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Mercy McAuley High School is a Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Its sponsor is Sisters of Mercy.

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