Student Life

Community Service

The Program

The Program | Senior Culminating Project | Volunteer Opportunities
Forms | Volunteer of the Month

---

 

Why does Mercy High School Have a Community Service Policy?

Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, dedicated her life to working with those less fortunate than her. In honor and emulation of her, the program at Mercy:

• Seeks to have students to "go out into the community" as Catherine McAuley did, to help those who are in need: children, the poor, the elderly, the abused, the homeless, those whose rights have been compromised, etc.;
• Believes that community service is a fundamental part of being a Christian, and it is deeply rooted in the Gospel tradition; and
• Encourages students to make volunteerism part of their ongoing lifestyle, not only because it transforms society, but because it enriches and nourishes our spirits.

 

What are the Community Service Requirements?

Our community service program is in a period of transition. We are in the process of incorporating more service learning experiences into the classes. We have introduced a “senior culminating project” option in service for our juniors and seniors. We have eliminated the distinction between “support hours” and “Mercy hours,” and instead require our students to work in non-profit organizations directly supporting people who are in-need. Because this transition is occurring gradually, please review the individual class requirements carefully:

 

Class of 2013 *

Class of 2013 Information Sheet

 

• Students may begin fulfilling their community service requirement after they have begun the new school year in August, 2009.
• Prior to sophomore year, they must complete at least 20 service hours.
• Before junior year, they must have completed at least 50 service hours.
• During their junior year, they will choose whether they would like to complete at least another 50 service hours (with 50 of those hours being in direct contact with disadvantaged people), or do a senior culminating project. If they choose to do a project, they will implement it in the summer between their junior and senior year, or during their first semester senior year.

 

Class of 2012 *

Class of 2012 Information Sheet

 

• Prior to the beginning of sophomore year, students must have completed at least 20 service hours
• Before junior year, they must have completed at least 50 service hours.
• During their junior year, they will choose whether they would like to complete at least another 50 service hours (with 50 of those hours being in direct contact with disadvantaged people), or do a senior culminating project. If they choose to do a project, they will implement it in the summer between their junior and senior year, or during their first semester senior year.

 

Class of 2011 *

Class of 2011 Information Sheet

 

• Prior to the beginning of their junior year, students must have completed at least 50 service hours.
• During their junior year, they will choose whether they would like to complete at least another 50 service hours (with 50 of those hours being “Mercy hours), or do a senior culminating project. If they choose to do a project, they will implement it in the summer between their junior and senior year, or during their first semester senior year.

 

Class of 2010 *

Class of 2010 Information Sheet

 

• The community service requirement must be completed prior to the beginning of senior year.

 

Transfer Students *

Transfer Student Information Sheet

Only hours completed after a student begins at Mercy count toward her Mercy High School requirement. For this reason, the hour requirement is pro-rated.

 

If a student transfers into Mercy as a sophomore, she needs:

• At least 25 hours before her junior year begins; and
• A total of at least 50 hours, or a culminating project, before her senior year begins. At least 25 of these hours have to be in direct contact with disadvantaged people.

If a student transfers into Mercy as a junior, she needs:

• At least 25 hours, or a culminating project, before her senior year begins. All 25 of these hours have to be in direct contact with disadvantaged people.

If a student transfers into Mercy as a senior, she is not required to complete any community service.

 

* Students must meet their annual community service requirements,
or they will be placed on community service probation.