Founded in 1893 in southern Pennsylvania, Mercersburg Academy gives students in grades 9-12 and postgraduates the opportunity to live and learn with fellow young adults from 30 states and 32 countries.
Mercersburg students benefit from a 300-acre campus, a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, 150 academic courses, 26 varsity sports teams, a robust performing and fine arts program, a robotics program, an outdoor education program, dozens of clubs and student organizations, global travel opportunities, and $11 million in annual financial aid.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Grades: 9-12, PG
- Enrollment: 450 students
- Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $75,500
- Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $48,350
- Acceptance rate: 25%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
Mercersburg Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 307 schools) for:
Category
Attribute
Student Attention
School Resources
School Resources
Offering Breadth
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores
School Overview
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
Year Founded
1893
1909
Campus Size
300 acres
125 acres
Colors
White, Blue
School Calendar
Student Body
Enrollment
450 students
300 students
% Students of Color
41%
25%
% International Students
20%
20%
% Students Boarding
83%
70%
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No
Academics and Faculty
Saturday Classes
No
No
Student-Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
79%
70%
Summer Program Details
Tuition Cost
Endowment Size
$422 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
(Boarding Students)
$75,500
$59,900
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
(Day Students)
$48,350
$33,500
% Students on Financial Aid
46%
40%
Admissions
Application Deadline
Jan. 15
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
25%
58%
Director of Admissions
Grace Megaffin
Application URL
Sports
# Interscholastic Sports Offered
27
16
Extracurriculars
Total Extracurricular Organizations
35
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Asian Student UnionBaking Club
Black Student UnionBlue Key Society (tour guides)
Digital Entertainment Development ClubEquestrian Club
French ClubGamers Club
Humans of Mercersburg ClubIrving Literary Society
Jewish ClubMarshall Literary Society
Meditation ClubMercersburg Inclusion Alliance
Mercersburg Jr. Classical League (Latin Club)Model United Nations
Photography ClubRainbow Alliance
Science ClubSixth Man Club
Student Alumni AssociationStudent Athlete Advisory Council
The FifteenThe Hungry Philosophers Guild
The Mercersburg NewsVoices 4 Justice
Women's Activist Club
College Matriculation
10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)
School Notes
- Founded in 1893, Mercersburg Academy is an environment that allows young people to navigate their teenage years unfettered but supported and supervised. Mercersburg has more than 130 years of perfecting what it means to be a proving ground for college and life. With students from 30 states and 32 countries, Mercersburg is a microcosm of our global community. We offer a beautiful 300-acre campus with impressive facilities, 150 academic courses, 26 varsity sports teams, nine music, dance, and theatre ensembles, 30+ student clubs, an outdoor education program, a global travel program, and other offerings. Relationships developed here are authentic and lifelong. Our faculty have dedicated their professional careers to working with teens, and our students define themselves here and graduate inspired to change the world.
- Mercersburg Academy accreditations: Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
- Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Jimmy Stewart '28 - Academy Award-winning actor
- Benicio Del Toro '85 - Academy Award- and Golden Globe Award-winning actor
- Melvin Stewart '88 - Olympic Gold Medal swimmer
- Michael Davies '85 - Emmy Award-winning producer, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
- Rebecca Lowe '99 - NBC sportscaster; former ESPN UK and BBC sports journalist
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Mercersburg Academy cost?
Mercersburg Academy's tuition is approximately $75,500 for boarding students and $48,350 for day students.
What is the acceptance rate of Mercersburg Academy?
The acceptance rate of Mercersburg Academy is 25%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.
Who are famous alumni from Mercersburg Academy?
Mercersburg Academy famous alumni include: Jimmy Stewart '28, Benicio Del Toro '85, Melvin Stewart '88, Michael Davies '85 and Rebecca Lowe '99.
What sports does Mercersburg Academy offer?
Mercersburg Academy offers 27 interscholastic sports: Alpine Skiing, Ballet, Baseball, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Cycling, Dance, Diving, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Mercersburg Academy is ranked as one of the top boarding schools for most sports offered.
Does Mercersburg Academy offer a summer program?
Yes, Mercersburg Academy offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is Mercersburg Academy's ranking?
Mercersburg Academy ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student-teacher ratio, Large financial endowment, Highest endowment/student, Most sports offered, High average SAT scores, High SSAT scores and High ACT scores.
When is the application deadline for Mercersburg Academy?
The application deadline for Mercersburg Academy is Jan. 15.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Mercersburg has an incredibly beautiful campus. It is a place for reflection as much as anything else. The gothic chapel is designed by the architect who built Princeton University's chapel, and it carries a rich. . .
Mercersburg has a unique community in that everyone is so connected and there really is a sense of family among the students and teachers. Everyone is incredibly kind, welcoming, ambitious, and curious. the relationships I. . .
Mercersburg had a rotating class schedule, and kept all classes under an hour. This way, students were able to learn for concentrated amounts of time, four hours a week, while not experiencing their least favorite. . .
Show more reviews (17 reviews)
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