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Catholic high school

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women

  • LocationRochester, NY
  • Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 6–12 · 612 students
  • SponsorInstitute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

All-female

Official website

Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is a Catholic school for girls in grades 6 to 12, sponsored by the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. Its Spiritual Life page describes daily morning prayer, a retreat for every grade each year, Eucharistic liturgies on holy days and Mercy traditions, and a Campus Ministry Board.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches1 mi2 mi3 miSt. John the Evangelist: 0.8 mi1Saint Thomas More Church: 1.0 mi2Our Lady of Lourdes Church: 1.7 mi3Saint Ambrose Church: 2.1 mi4Campus Ministry, Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women: 0.1 miOur Lady of Mercy School for Young Women (campus)N1 mi
CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. St. John the Evangelist — 0.8 mi · 553 Humboldt Street, Rochester
  2. Saint Thomas More Church — 1.0 mi · 2617 East Avenue, Rochester
  3. Our Lady of Lourdes Church — 1.7 mi · 150 Varinna Drive, Rochester
  4. Saint Ambrose Church — 2.1 mi · 1670 Culver Road, Rochester

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
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated throughout the year on holy days of obligation and for sacred Mercy traditions such as Mercy Day, Golden Mass, May Day, and Rose Mass.”
      Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated on holy days of obligation and for Mercy traditions, with no weekly or daily schedule stated.
      “In addition to rooting us in our Catholic identity, Masses also enable students to demonstrate spiritual leadership and be role models for their peers by serving as lectors, cantors, and altar servers.”
      Students serve as lectors, cantors and altar servers at Masses.
  • 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 (Masses are offered.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated throughout the year on holy days of obligation and for sacred Mercy traditions such as Mercy Day, Golden Mass, May Day, and Rose Mass.”
      Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated on holy days of obligation and for Mercy traditions, with no weekly or daily schedule stated.
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.

  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Years of theology or religion requiredNot 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.
    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.
BCampus culture: 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.

Campus culture

80 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (All students take part in a retreat for their grade level each year.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are held annually. All students participate in their grade level retreat on a designated school day. Seniors enjoy an off-campus overnight class retreat in the Spring.”
      Each year all students take part in a retreat for their grade level, and seniors have an off-campus overnight retreat in the spring.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One named professional is listed for campus ministry: the Director of Campus Ministry.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/faculty-and-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Christine Kvam Director Campus Ministry”
      Christine Kvam is the Director of Campus Ministry.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One faith-based student group is listed: the Campus Ministry Board. Faithful Footsteps welcomes students of all beliefs and is not counted.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Club List | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/academics/signature-programs/club-list · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Campus Ministry Board, better known as CMB, is one of Mercy’s oldest and dearest clubs. Under the guidance of the Campus Minister, CMB is in charge of all school service projects such as Christmas Baskets (Golden Mass) and Mission Month.”
      The Campus Ministry Board is a student club that runs school service projects.
    2. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “CMB members cultivate their own spiritual growth through an annual retreat and monthly faith sharing small groups.”
      Campus Ministry Board members have monthly faith-sharing small groups and an annual retreat.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Prayerful community is nourished through daily prayer each morning over the announcements, prayer to begin each class, and prayer services for various significant occasions.”
      Daily prayer is part of each school day, including each morning and the start of each class.
FService and Catholic social teaching: Minimal (grade F): 0 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

27 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Required service hoursNo requirement (The school states that Mercy Service is voluntary and not a graduation requirement.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Although Mercy Service is voluntary and not a graduation requirement, it offers students valuable experiences that develop leadership, empathy, and a commitment to helping others.”
      Mercy Service is voluntary and not a graduation requirement.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)No (The school's club list, which is a complete list of 55 entries, includes no pro-life group.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Club List | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/academics/signature-programs/club-list · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “List of 55 items.”
      The official club list has 55 entries, and none is a pro-life group.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (Mercy Service runs weeklong service trips, and the Girl Up club advocates for girls' education, health and safety abroad.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “while also participating in weeklong service trips both nationally and internationally.”
      Mercy Service students take part in weeklong service trips in the United States and abroad.
    2. Club List | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/academics/signature-programs/club-list · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Girl Up is a club that advocates for adolescent girls’ education, health, and safety in developing countries.”
      The Girl Up club advocates for girls' education, health and safety in developing countries.

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

Strengths

  • Every grade has a retreat each year, and daily prayer is part of the school day.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Retreats are held annually. All students participate in their grade level retreat on a designated school day. Seniors enjoy an off-campus overnight class retreat in the Spring.”
      Each year all students take part in a retreat for their grade level, and seniors have an off-campus overnight retreat in the spring.
      “Prayerful community is nourished through daily prayer each morning over the announcements, prayer to begin each class, and prayer services for various significant occasions.”
      Daily prayer is part of each school day, including each morning and the start of each class.
  • A named Director of Campus Ministry leads the program, and students serve as lectors, cantors and altar servers at Masses.
    Sources (2)
    1. Faculty & Staff Directory | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/faculty-and-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Christine Kvam Director Campus Ministry”
      Christine Kvam is the Director of Campus Ministry.
    2. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “In addition to rooting us in our Catholic identity, Masses also enable students to demonstrate spiritual leadership and be role models for their peers by serving as lectors, cantors, and altar servers.”
      Students serve as lectors, cantors and altar servers at Masses.
  • Students can take part in weeklong Mercy Service trips in the United States and abroad.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “while also participating in weeklong service trips both nationally and internationally.”
      Mercy Service students take part in weeklong service trips in the United States and abroad.

Concerns

  • Mass is described for holy days and Mercy traditions.
    Sources (1)
    1. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated throughout the year on holy days of obligation and for sacred Mercy traditions such as Mercy Day, Golden Mass, May Day, and Rose Mass.”
      Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated on holy days of obligation and for Mercy traditions, with no weekly or daily schedule stated.
  • No pro-life student group appears in the school's complete club list.
    Sources (1)
    1. Club List | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/academics/signature-programs/club-list · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “List of 55 items.”
      The official club list has 55 entries, and none is a pro-life group.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women

  • Address: 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610
  • Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: mercyhs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026, mercyhs.com, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

12 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 3 off campus, 8 location not published

Retreats 2

  • Senior class retreatOff campus
    Spring
    An overnight class retreat for seniors, held off campus.
    mercyhs.com
  • Grade-level retreats
    Annually, on a designated school day
    All students take part in the retreat for their grade level.
    mercyhs.com

Service 5

  • Mercy Service weeklong tripsOff campus
    Weeklong service trips in the United States and abroad. Mercy Service is voluntary and not a graduation requirement.
    mercyhs.com, mercyhs.com
  • Ministry Days (grades 6 to 8)Off campus
    Three times a year
    A morning of service at a local organization for middle school students.
    mercyhs.com
  • MeldersOn campus
    After school, one day a week (about an hour)
    Students visit and help the senior Sisters of Mercy and McAuley residents on the Mercy campus.
    mercyhs.com
  • Mercy Service local volunteering
    Volunteer service in the Rochester community through the Mercy Service program.
    mercyhs.com
  • Red Cross Club
    A leadership and community service club for grades 9 to 12.
    mercyhs.com

Faith formation 1

  • Critical Concerns Week
    Each March
    Prayer, workshops and activities on the Sisters of Mercy's Critical Concerns: Earth, Women, Nonviolence, Racism and Immigration.
    mercyhs.com

Clubs and groups 3

  • Campus Ministry Board (CMB)
    A leadership board of Campus Ministry. Members act as liturgical ministers at school Masses, assist with morning prayer, lead school service projects such as Christmas Baskets and Mission Month, and take part in monthly faith-sharing small groups and an annual retreat.
    mercyhs.com, mercyhs.com, mercyhs.com
  • Girl Up
    A club, affiliated with the United Nations, that advocates for adolescent girls' education, health and safety in developing countries.
    mercyhs.com
  • Faithful Footsteps
    A club for grades 9 to 12 that welcomes students of every religious belief.
    mercyhs.com

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Eucharistic liturgies
    On holy days of obligation and for Mercy traditions such as Mercy Day, Golden Mass, May Day and Rose Mass
    Liturgies in which students serve as lectors, cantors and altar servers.
    mercyhs.com, mercyhs.com

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. Spiritual Life | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated throughout the year on holy days of obligation and for sacred Mercy traditions such as Mercy Day, Golden Mass, May Day, and Rose Mass.”
    Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated on holy days of obligation and for Mercy traditions, with no weekly or daily schedule stated.
    “Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated throughout the year on holy days of obligation and for sacred Mercy traditions such as Mercy Day, Golden Mass, May Day, and Rose Mass.”
    Eucharistic liturgies are celebrated on holy days of obligation and for Mercy traditions, with no weekly or daily schedule stated.
    “1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610”
    The school's address is 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester, NY 14610, where the Campus Ministry program is based.
  2. Faculty & Staff Directory | Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Womenmercyhs.com/about/faculty-and-staff-directory · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Christine Kvam Director Campus Ministry”
    Christine Kvam is the Director of Campus Ministry.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: 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.
90 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.10.1 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 Rochester, NY
Grades6–12
Students (all grades)612
Students in grades 9–12401
Coed or single-sexAll-female
Student–teacher ratio10.1 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges97%
SettingSuburb

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 Rochester

The Most Reverend John S. Bonnici, Bishop of Rochester

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

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

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women a Catholic high school?
Yes. Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Rochester. Its sponsor is Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas.

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