Two Catholic girls' high schools in Cincinnati will merge in 2018.
Mother of Mercy High School and McAuley High School will combine operations on what is now the McAuley campus. The school will be renamed Mercy McAuley High School, according to a statement from The Sisters of Mercy, the religious order that operates both schools.
The two schools will continue to operate as they do now for the remainder of this school year and for 2017-2018. McAuley's enrollment this year is 468, and Mother of Mercy's is 495.
"These days, we find ourselves facing a shifting reality in our high schools here," says Sister Jane Hotstream, president of the Sisters of Mercy – South Central Community. "A declining pool of potential students is impacting enrollment now and will continue to do so in the future. This is a situation affecting Catholic schools nationwide, as well as here in Cincinnati."
The Sisters of Mercy say they chose the McAuley site as home for the new school because the facilities are in better condition. McAuley High School opened in 1960, and Mother of Mercy High School was established in 1915.
"McAuley’s building is newer (57 years old) and needs fewer updates," says a question-and-answer page on The Sisters of Mercy web site. "The Mercy building, although beautiful, is more than 100 years old and needs significant improvements."
The merger won't occur until 2018 to give the two schools enough time to bring together operations.
"An 18-month period is essential for us to prepare for the smooth opening of Mercy McAuley High School," school officials said on The Sisters of Mercy web site.
