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MERCY HIGH SCHOOLCourse Catalog2021-20221300 E. Northern ParkwayBaltimore, MD 21239www.mercyhighschool.com

TABLE OF CONTENTSAcademic Program . 4Graduation Requirements. 5Special Programs . 6Catherine McAuley Honors Program. 6Mentor Program . 7Project Lead the Way . 7Visual Arts . 8Law and Social Action . 8Neumann Scholars. 10Women in Technology . 10Women in Medicine. 11Notre Dame of Maryland University. 12Anne Arundel Community College . 13Summer Online Courses. 14Junior/Senior Registration . 17Student Services. 18College Admissions Planning . 18Seminar Program. 20AP Course Information. 21Course Descriptions. 22Computer Science and Academic Technology. 22English . 24Fine Arts . 27Visual Arts . 27Theatre Arts . 28Dance. 30Music . 30Other Arts Offerings . 31Mathematics . 32Mentor Program . 34Physical and Health Education . 35Religious Studies . 36Science. 38Social Studies . 42World Languages . 44

ACADEMIC PROGRAMCOURSE OUTLINE2021—2022Class of 2025Religious StudiesLanguage and Literature IMathematicsUnited States HistoryBiologyFrench or SpanishDesign: TechnologyFine Arts ElectiveClass of 2024Religious StudiesLanguages and Literature IIMathematicsPhysical Science or Introduction to Physics (H)Modern World HistoryFrench or SpanishPhysical and Health EducationClass of 2023Religious Studies/Social ServiceLanguage and Literature III or AP Language and CompositionMathematicsU.S. History II or AP U.S. History IIElective #1 (Recommend World Languages)Elective #2Class of 2022Religious StudiesLanguage and Literature IV or AP Literature and CompositionMathematicsElective #1Elective #2Elective #34

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTSThe following are requirements for graduation from Mercy High School:4.00 credits plus 0.50credit Social ServiceReligious StudiesEnglish4.00Mathematics4.00Science3.00Social Studies (including 1.00 U.S.History plus 0.50 AmericanGovernment)World Language (two consecutiveyears of one language)3.002.00Fine Arts*1.00Physical and Health Education**1.00Electives***3.00Total:25.50Transfer students into Mercy after 9th grade who did not have ReligiousStudies courses in their previous schools are not required to make up thosecredits in Religious Studies.*Students may apply only 0.50 credit from participation in Fine Artsco-curricular activities toward satisfying the Fine Arts requirement.**Except for students in special programs, the Physical Education graduationrequirement cannot be met by applying credits from sports.***The electives requirement may not be met by credits earned through sportsor co-curricular activities.5

SPECIAL PROGRAMSThe Catherine McAuley Honors ProgramThe Catherine McAuley Honors Program provides the opportunity for studentsto meet rigorous academic challenges, building confidence as scholars andthinkers. McAuley Scholars are required to develop their leadership skills byparticipating in at least one extracurricular activity each year and achieve anoverall B average or better for final grades in all courses each year.McAuley Scholars complete the program with a Capstone Service Project,initiated in the second semester of junior year. The service project is linked toone of the Critical Concerns of the Sisters of Mercy and is designed to ensurethat McAuley Scholars research causes of an identified problem, generateinsights into possible solutions, and develop a deeper understanding into itscomplexities. The experience culminates in responsible community action andreflection on both the process and its results.Requirements:9th Grade The Honors sections of the curriculumMath courses determined by placement testingParticipation in extracurricular activityB or better in final grades for each course10th Grade Students choose Honors study in at least two disciplines: Math, Science, English, Social Studies, andWorld LanguageParticipation in extracurricular activity broadenedB or better in final grades for each course 11th Grade 12th Grade Students continue in the most challenging courses indisciplines of choice.Initiation of Capstone Service Project.Participation in extracurricular activities or leadership in oneB or better in final grades for each courseStudents continue in the most challenging courses indisciplines of choice.Completion and presentation of Capstone ServiceProjectParticipation/leadership in extracurricular activitiesB or better in final grades for each course6

The Mentor ProgramA signature program of Mercy High School, the Mentor Program allows selectedjuniors to work with a “wise adviser,” who accepts the student as a protégé, soshe can explore an individually chosen field of interest beyond the traditionalacademic setting. Those in the Mentor Program can conduct an independentstudy for one or two semesters, with a minimum of thirty hours each quarter tobe devoted to it. Research on the outlook for the profession, its currentchallenges, and the pathway to achieve mastery in it are part of the student’sinvestigation. A final reflective paper marks the culmination of the course. Aproposal outlining the goals of the rising junior and specific plans for her studyis required.Project Lead the Way- Biomedical Sciences (PLTW)The Biomedical Sciences Program comprises a sequence of classes that allowseach student to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as she studieshuman medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health in thecontext of real-world cases. Students work with one another to understand anddesign solutions to some of the pressing health challenges facing the world. Theproject-based aspects of the curriculum give students a chance to identify aproblem, apply what they know, and find unique solutions as they lead theirown learning. PLTW courses complement the regular sequence of math andscience courses required in the curriculum.Students in PLTW-Biomedical Sciences are exempt from technologyrequirement of ninth grade. They need to fulfill Physical Education and FineArts requirements before graduation. This can be by summer online courses ortaking Physical Education and identified arts courses in the junior and senioryears.Requirements:9th GradePrinciples of Biomedical Science10th GradeHuman Body Systems11th GradeMedical Interventions12th GradeMedical Innovations7

Visual Arts ProgramMercy’s four-year visual arts program is for students with a serious interest inand talent for developing their artistic skills. Many graduates of the visual artsprogram pursue the visual arts in college or find a career path in the visual arts.Art students explore the elements and principles of art and design and thehistory of art. Students will develop their skills and learn to work in a variety ofmedia. The sequence of classes assists artists in the creation of a portfolio to besubmitted for Advanced Placement Studio Art credit in the senior year.Requirements:9th GradeIntroduction to Drawing (0.50 credit)10th GradeBasic Design (0.50 credit)11th GradeIntroduction to Studio Techniques: Mark Making(full year course)12th GradeIntroduction to Painting (full year course);Independent Study Studio Art (optional)The Law and Social Action ProgramThe Law and Social Action program provides students with opportunities toevaluate how interdependence, as well as political, legal, social and economicchange, affect all communities, with a focus on both globalization andsustainable development. A study of social change through governance, socialand legal policy, and justice provides students with an understanding of bothindividual and systemic power; she will be encouraged to engage in innovative,responsible action.Requirements:Year 1: Students are required to attend three or four SymposiumsStudents keep a journal with a reflective assignment after each symposium9th Grade – Project through a Social Justice and Public Policy lens.Students in the first year of the program are expected to be activeparticipants of one-two clubs/organizations*8

Year 2: Students are required to attend four SymposiumsStudents participate in three or four field trips focused on public policyStudents keep a journal with a reflective assignment after each symposiumApplicable and rigorous coursework especially in Social Studies10th grade Personal Project related to action research/critical concernStudents are expected to continue participation in one-two clubs/organizationsYears 3 and 4: Year 3 and 4 students work in collaboration to present material forSymposiumsCoursework: Participation in the Mentor Program (Encouraged) Global Issues The History of Baltimore City Law and Society World Language Additional Electives that complement the programStudents are expected to take on a leadership position in one of the twoclubs/organizations.Students may take advantage of possible internship opportunities.Juniors and Seniors in the Law and Social Action program are encouragedto participate in the following: Mercy Girl Effect Conference Ignatian Family Teach-In Baltimore Student Diversity Leadership Conference (AIMS) Summer programs supported by the American Bar Association InternshipsStudents will report on their experience at a Law and Social ActionConsortium9

The Sister Agnese Neumann Scholars Program in Partnership withMedStar Good Samaritan Hospital (Neumann Scholars)MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital is recognized for its excellence in the Centerfor Successful Aging, Occupational and Physical Therapy, Nursing, andCommunity Health. In the first year of the program, the Neumann Scholars willbe able to experience each of these specialties, and in addition, participate intraining for infection prevention and patient safety through monthly visitationsto the hospital. In the second year, Neumann Scholars will receive vital signstraining and CPR, and will be able to participate in the Dine and DiscoverSeries, to which clinicians at the hospital are invited. In the third year,Neumann Scholars will be assigned a mentor who, through bi-monthlymeetings, will help them develop an internship practicum project for thefollowing summer.Requirements:Year 1: The highest level of science and mathematics to which one is assigned.Field trips to MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital for rotations and skillstraining.Year 2: The highest level of science and mathematics to which one is assigned.Field trips to MedStar facilities in Baltimore City for skills trainingand participation in Dine and Discover at MedStar Good SamaritanYear 3: The highest level of science and mathematics to which one is assigned.Bi-monthly meetings with mentor at MedStar Good Samaritan to develop andconstruct an internship practicum project for the following summer.Summer of Year 3: Practicum in Healthcare Careers: 6-8 week practicum thewith mentor in selected disciplineWomen in TechnologyThe four-year program introduces participants to the possibilities of a career intechnology. Experience is provided in programming, networking, operatingsystems, graphics, databases and information retrieval, security, emergingtechnologies, and design of software, hardware, and websites. The social issuesinvolving internet security, privacy, copyright, and the impact of technology arealso explored. Students edit both audio and video material, and have vastopportunity to provide service to the Mercy community using their expertise.Students are also able to explore career paths in technology via networking withwomen in the field and through field trips.Requirements:Design: TechnologyProgramming I and IIAP Computer Science Principles (prerequisite Programming I and II)Computer Science Independent Study (11th or 12th grade) or any one additionalComputer science electiveMinimum 4 hours of school service per yearParticipation in all field trips and meetings10