Mercy Vocational High School
| Mercy Vocational High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
| 2900 West Hunting Park Avenue Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129 |
|
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| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Roman Catholic; Sisters of Mercy |
| Established | 1950 |
| President | Sr. Rosemary Herron |
| Principal | Sr. Susan Walsh |
| Grades | 9-12 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrollment | 367 (2008) |
| Average class size | 25 (academic) 15 (technical) |
| Color(s) | Red and Gold |
| Song | Under Mercy's Shield |
| Athletics conference | Penn-Jersey Athletic Association |
| Team name | Monarchs |
| Accreditation | Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools [1] |
| Yearbook | The Advocate |
| Admissions Director | William Donahue |
| Athletic Director | John Hillman |
| Activities Director | Joseph Carchidi |
| Website | mercyvocational.org |
Mercy Vocational High School is a private, Roman Catholic high school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is located within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is the only four-year co-educational Catholic vocational high school in the United States.[2]
Background
Mercy was established in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy. The school was originally known as Mercy Technical School and did not start handing out high school diplomas until 1973. [2]
Structure
Mercy Vocational is divided into two areas of instruction:
- Academics
Students at Mercy take normal academic classes such as Math, English, Theology, Science, and History all four years.
- Shops *
In sophomore year, students start their shops. The shops they can choose from are: Culinary Arts, Computer Technician, Nursing Assistants, Framing and Woodworking Carpentry, Residential and Commercial Electricity, Business Education, and Cosmetology.
Mercy also offers a Co-Op program that gives Seniors credit for on-the-job experience. These can either be paid or non-paid internships.
MVHS offers students vocational training in one area of one of our three academies – Building Trades, Service and Business.
- Building Trades Academy
Students in this program gain real world experience throughout their time at MVHS through the execution of projects at the school and even throughout the city.
The Carpentry program offers a sequential learning experience that provides students with a solid theoretical and technical foundation for pursuing a variety of career options in the building trades. Carpentry students are being prepared for job placement on construction sites as well as with interior woodworking. Students are prepared for above entry-level positions in their chosen field.
The Electricity curriculum prepares students for continuing education and/or entry-level employment in the residential, commercial or industrial areas. Electricity students are trained to support the infrastructure of a variety of industries in the Philadelphia area.
- Service Academy
The Cosmetology curriculum, providing both classroom theory and hands on practical training, is a three year state board regulated program in which the students are required to obtain 1,250 hours that will allow them to obtain certification and practice with an operator’s license. Mercy cosmetology students are encouraged to earn their state board required hours and are required to register to take the state board exam before they graduate. Upon passing the exam, students will receive the Pennsylvania State Cosmetology License that will allow them many career opportunities in the beauty industry including professional Hairstylist and nail care, hair care, and skincare technicians.
The Culinary Arts curriculum is designed to prepare students to pursue post-secondary education in Culinary Arts and/or to enter the hospitality industry at an above entry-level position. Culinary Arts students have the opportunity to earn a ServSafe Certification through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation which acts as a tool to help students gain easier employment because of their sanitation expertise.
The Nursing Assistant Training Program (NATP) prepares students with an academic and experiential foundation for post-secondary education in selected healthcare careers. Mercy students have up to 4 times as much hands-on experience and coursework as many state programs offered at facilities in a 4 or 6-week model. NATP students are given the opportunity to sit for the PA nursing assistant certification examination. Once passing this exam, students are licensed by the state of Pennsylvania to give care to patients in health care and receive their CPR certification. At Mercy Vocational High School the pass rate is 100%. MVHS is one of only two schools in the Commonwealth with a perfect pass rate! Seniors are eligible for immediate employment as certified nursing assistants in a variety of health care settings, including long-term care, acute care, rehabilitation, hospitals and home healthcare.
- Business Academy
The Business Education curriculum offers extensive coursework designed to enable students to acquire skills and work habits essential for success in the business environment. It is intended to prepare students for the competitive business environment prevalent in today’s workplace. The goal for the Business Education program is to enable students to earn core level MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) Certification in these areas - PowerPoint, Word, Access and Excel – which provide future employers and educators with an important indicator of the student’s level of expertise.
The Computer Technician curriculum is designed to provide a foundation for continuing education or entry-level employment in computer technology. The goal of this course is to have the students CompTIA A+ certified by the end of their junior year. Each student is also encouraged to earn his/her CertiPort IC3! Internet and Computing Core Certification. This certification is the standard for the industry’s entry-level technicians. In the senior year, upon successful completion exam, students may begin working in a co-operative employment position in a local business. Computer Technician students will graduate with the skills to be effective and efficient computer service and repair technicians.
