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Aerial view of Mount Mercy Academy
Aerial imagery: U.S. Geological Survey (public domain). USGS

Catholic high school

Mount Mercy Academy

  • LocationBuffalo, NY
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 180 students
  • SponsorSisters of Mercy

All-female

Official website

Mount Mercy Academy is an all-girls Catholic high school in Buffalo, founded by the Sisters of Mercy. Its 2026-27 welcome letter announces an Opening Day Mass for all students, and its 2026-27 course catalog requires four years of theology and 100 service hours to graduate.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Mount Mercy Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSisters of Mercy Convent: 0.1 mi1Holy Family Catholic Church: 0.6 mi2Saint Teresa Catholic Church: 0.8 mi3Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church: 0.9 mi4Saint John XXIII Catholic Church: 1.5 mi5Our Lady Of Victory Basilica: 1.5 mi6Mount Mercy Academy (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Sisters of Mercy Convent — 0.1 mi · 625 Abbott Road, Buffalo
  2. Holy Family Catholic Church — 0.6 mi · 1885 South Park Avenue, Buffalo
  3. Saint Teresa Catholic Church — 0.8 mi · 1974 Seneca Street, Buffalo
  4. Saint Martin of Tours Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 1140 Abbott Road, Buffalo
  5. Saint John XXIII Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 1 Arcade Street, Buffalo
  6. Our Lady Of Victory Basilica — 1.5 mi · 767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna

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 (An Opening Day Mass for all students and a school Mass are listed.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Welcome letter from the Interim Head of School, July 2026mtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_715ff3ffad0e48e48fc931bb0b0dad74.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Wednesday, September 9th - Opening Day Mass and first day of classes for all students!”
      An Opening Day Mass for all students was scheduled for September 9, 2026.
    2. Student Life lookbook, Mount Mercy Academy (undated)mtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_207a2a1939924267a404b8e27423c646.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Field Day School Mass”
      A school Mass is listed among the school's events.
    3. 2026 Baccalaureate Mass, Mount Mercy Academy newsmtmercy.org/post/2026-baccalaureate-mass · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “as they celebrated their last Mass together on Monday evening.”
      The school describes the baccalaureate as the seniors' last Mass together.
  • 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 (A school Mass is confirmed.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Welcome letter from the Interim Head of School, July 2026mtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_715ff3ffad0e48e48fc931bb0b0dad74.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Wednesday, September 9th - Opening Day Mass and first day of classes for all students!”
      An Opening Day Mass for all students was scheduled for September 9, 2026.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

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

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (Four full-year theology units, one in each of grades 9 through 12; one unit per year (four years). Theology is required in every grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Selection Catalog 2026-2027, Mount Mercy Academymtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_dc1a0d70288c4301926a9536d74477a4.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Four of those credits will be earned by completing the Academy’s Theology requirement.”
      Theology is a graduation requirement worth four credits.
      “THEOLOGY I (Grade 9) The course is intended to help the students to gain a better understanding of the Catholic Christian tradition in greater depth.”
      A theology course is taken in grade 9.
      “THEOLOGY IV (Grade 12) This course will focus on Christian Spiritual Formation, Names of God, Gratitude and Hope, Social Justice, World Religions,”
      A theology course is taken in grade 12.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot 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.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
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 (Class retreats are listed in the school's Student Life lookbook, which is undated.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Life lookbook, Mount Mercy Academy (undated)mtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_207a2a1939924267a404b8e27423c646.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Drama Club School Play Class Retreats”
      Class retreats are listed among the school's events.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Campus ministry staffNot 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.
    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.
AService and Catholic social teaching: 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.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (The 2026-27 catalog requires 100 service hours in total to graduate, with a service component in every grade.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Selection Catalog 2026-2027, Mount Mercy Academymtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_dc1a0d70288c4301926a9536d74477a4.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “A total of 100 required hours must be completed in order to graduate from Mount Mercy Academy.”
      The 2026-27 catalog requires 100 service hours in total to graduate.
      “A Service Component is required for all grade levels in order to pass Theology for the year.”
      A service component is required in every grade to pass theology.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (The Theology III and IV course descriptions list Social Justice as a topic. The catalog does not use the name Catholic social teaching.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Selection Catalog 2026-2027, Mount Mercy Academymtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_dc1a0d70288c4301926a9536d74477a4.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “This course will focus on Christian Spiritual Formation, Relationships, Morality, Social Justice, Dignity and Respect,”
      Theology III lists social justice among its topics.
  • 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.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Not enough information: not found in official sources.

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

Strengths

  • Theology is required in every grade, four units in total.
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Selection Catalog 2026-2027, Mount Mercy Academymtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_dc1a0d70288c4301926a9536d74477a4.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “Four of those credits will be earned by completing the Academy’s Theology requirement.”
      Theology is a graduation requirement worth four credits.
      “THEOLOGY I (Grade 9) The course is intended to help the students to gain a better understanding of the Catholic Christian tradition in greater depth.”
      A theology course is taken in grade 9.
      “THEOLOGY IV (Grade 12) This course will focus on Christian Spiritual Formation, Names of God, Gratitude and Hope, Social Justice, World Religions,”
      A theology course is taken in grade 12.
  • The catalog requires 100 service hours to graduate, with a service component in every grade.
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Selection Catalog 2026-2027, Mount Mercy Academymtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_dc1a0d70288c4301926a9536d74477a4.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “A total of 100 required hours must be completed in order to graduate from Mount Mercy Academy.”
      The 2026-27 catalog requires 100 service hours in total to graduate.
      “A Service Component is required for all grade levels in order to pass Theology for the year.”
      A service component is required in every grade to pass theology.
  • The Theology III and IV courses list social justice among their topics.
    Sources (1)
    1. Course Selection Catalog 2026-2027, Mount Mercy Academymtmercy.org/_files/ugd/3a8df5_dc1a0d70288c4301926a9536d74477a4.pdf · verified Oct. 13, 2026
      “This course will focus on Christian Spiritual Formation, Relationships, Morality, Social Justice, Dignity and Respect,”
      Theology III lists social justice among its topics.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Catholic clubs and student life

6 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 1 off campus, 5 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 4

  • Class of 2026 Baccalaureate MassOff campus
    May 2026
    The senior class's last Mass together, held at Our Lady of Victory Basilica in Lackawanna.
    mtmercy.org, mtmercy.org
  • Opening Day Mass
    September 9, 2026, for all students
    A school Mass held on the first day of classes for the 2026-27 school year.
    mtmercy.org
  • School Mass
    A school Mass listed among the school's events.
    mtmercy.org
  • Mother/Daughter Mass & Breakfast
    A Mass and breakfast for mothers and daughters, listed among the school's events.
    mtmercy.org

Retreats 1

Service 1

  • Community service hours
    Service hours are required in every grade and total 100 hours to graduate.
    mtmercy.org, mtmercy.org

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

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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.
71 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.85%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.8.4 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
DioceseDiocese of Buffalo, NY
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)180
Students in grades 9–12180
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio8.4 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges85%
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

Diocese of Buffalo

The Most Reverend Michael W. Fisher, Bishop of Buffalo

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Mount Mercy Academy a Catholic high school?
Yes. Mount Mercy Academy is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Buffalo. Its sponsor is Sisters of Mercy.

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