User:AudreFrigge/sandbox/McAuley High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)

McAuley High School is an all-girls Catholic high school in the College Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. Sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, it is one of five all-girls high schools in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cincinnati, enrolling young women from all over the Cincinnati area and parts of Indiana. It is designated a National Blue Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education. McAuley provides a balanced education with a high level of focus on academics. It also offers students sports and arts programs, a Tablet PC program, and a progressive schedule.

History
The McAuley High School tradition, which began in Ireland in 1831, is rooted in the ideals and beliefs of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Catherine McAuley. Catherine McAuley believed most ardently in the importance of the education of women. In 1958, Archbishop Karl J. Alter chose the Sisters of Mercy to establish a new high school in College Hill. The Archbishop donated 15 acres of land and handed over the responsibility of constructing the school to the Sisters of Mercy. The Sisters of Mercy broke ground on August 28, 1958, and in 1960 the school opened with an enrollment of 200 young women (Freshmen only). A class was added in each of the next three years. The first graduating class was in 1964. The original building still stands today. In 2002, seven new science labs, a fitness room, two music rooms, a conference room, and an expanded gymnasium and cafeteria were added to better accommodate the growing needs of the students. In 2008, the school completed a renovation of the original 1,000 seat auditorium. On March 2, 2017, it was announced that McAuley would merge with Mother of Mercy High School in 2018 due to lacking enrollment numbers. McAuley held a closing mass on May 27, 2018. The merged school, Mercy McAuley High School, remained at McAuley's current campus when it opened in August 2018.

Background
Students apply to McAuley High School by taking the High School Placement Test (HSPT), completing and submitting an admission application, and the school's health form must be signed by the family physician as proof of immunizations. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. Scholarships are based on a student's performance on the entrance exam, as well as legacy, leadership, service, and Brilliance of Balance. McAuley also provides a work credit program in which students stay after school for one hour each day to clean rooms.

Academics
In compliance with the State of Ohio Minimum Standards, 24 credits are required for graduation. The credit requirements for graduation include 4 Theology, 4 English, 3.5 Social Studies, 3 Science, .5 Physical Education, .5 Health, 1 Fine Arts, 4 Mathematics, .5 Computer Literacy, and 2 Foreign Language. Students must take a minimum of six credits per year and be scheduled for at least six courses per semester. The school year is divided into 2 semesters and exams are administered at the end of each semester (before Christmas break and before summer break).



McAuley utilizes a progressive schedule that allows for longer class time. The schedule is based on a four-day rotation. Each day a student will have two 80 minute classes and four 50 minute classes. Each student will have a total of eight scheduled classes with only six classes occurring each day. Out of a four-day rotation, each one of a student's classes will meet three out of four days. On day five, the four-day rotation begins again.

School Tradition
"A McAuley woman is a woman of faith, a woman of excellence, a woman of respect for herself and others, a woman of compassionate service, and a woman empowered to influence the world. We believe that the McAuley graduate leaves as a woman, well prepared to lead, to serve, and to love." ~The McAuley Philosophy

Spirituality
The Office of Campus Ministry The Office of Campus Ministry offers a variety of programs. Campus Ministry’s programs are centered in the Catholic-Christian tradition flavored by the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy. Students are encouraged to assume major roles in planning, facilitating, and leading retreats, liturgies, and prayer experiences. Campus Ministry guides the training process for the students who take on these special ministerial roles. Students of all class levels take leadership roles in the spiritual programs of the school, whether facilitating small groups on retreats, planning Masses, or leading prayers.

Throughout the school year, the McAuley community gathers to worship, celebrate, and pray together. Masses and prayer services are led by various student clubs and organizations. Every Friday at 8 am, Communion Services are offered in Christ the Teacher Chapel for the members of the McAuley Community.

Every year, students schedule 1-3 days to reflect on their life and relationships. The Freshman Day of Reflection is held during the school day on the McAuley campus. Their focus is growing in relationships with themselves, others, and God. It is facilitated by leaders from the junior class and faculty members. It is designed to help the freshmen build community within their class. The Sophomore Day of Reflection is held at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center in Norwood, OH. They focus on reconciling with others. The day is facilitated by the senior class Emmaus retreat leaders and faculty members and is designed to help the sophomores reflect on their past and present relationships and see how God is calling them to action in those relationships. Junior Retreat is an Overnight Retreat at Bergamo Center in Dayton, OH. This retreat focuses on Christ’s Love for Each of Us. The two-day, overnight retreat is coordinated by the young adult staff at Bergamo and consists of witness talks, small group discussion and reflection, and prayer designed to allow students to develop a more mature relationship with God and their peers. Emmaus Retreat is a 3-day experience offered to Seniors. It is held at Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, OH. The retreat is centered on the Emmaus story from the Gospel of St. Luke. The three-day, two-night retreat is led by trained members of the senior class who have made the Emmaus experience at the end of their junior year. The retreat consists of witness talks by the students and faculty team members, small group prayer and reflection, and large group spiritual activities designed to nurture and deepen the student's personal faith journey. While the Emmaus retreat is not mandatory, most seniors choose to make the retreat.

Family Program
The McAuley High School Family Program was initiated in 2008. 27 families were created at McAuley, each with a unique Irish name (to represent the Irish roots of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy), symbol and colors. Every family is made up of several students from each grade level. This helps promote unity and friendship among all members of the McAuley community and allows students to meet friends they wouldn't usually encounter in the classroom. Throughout the year sisters will have the opportunity to get to know one another through a variety of ways, such as the Mercy Day Picnic, service projects (and MERF), Mohawk Madness competitions and other social events. Families meet each Tuesday through Friday at various times, some days 10;20 - 10:40 and some days 11:10 - 11:30.

Alma Mater
Our cherished Alma Mater, We're proud to belong to you, With hearts staunch and true, We'll dare and we'll do for God and Country too. Your patron holds the beacon that guides our footsteps here. McAuley High we love you, Our Alma Mater dear. Let Mercy's shield protect us, Upon life's stormy way. May Mary's hand direct us unto a glorious day. Your colors bold, the brown and gold, Inspire to loyalty. McAuley High we love you, Our Alma Mater dear!

Student Council
Students are elected to Student Council: 1) To serve as a link among students, faculty, and administration; 2) To provide a means for students to voice their opinions; 3) To conduct student activities; 4) To promote good scholarship and citizenship; 5) To promote school spirit. Students on the student council are expected to be the leaders of the school and good role models.  Student Council is in charge of various activities throughout the school year, such as Mohawk Madness.

Service and Justice League
McAuley's service and justice program is designed to be as student-led as possible, to offer school and community service opportunities, and to educate students about the needs of our community and the world. Key Club, MERF, CSTAT, and Green Team are the main components of the Service and Justice League. This program is led by the service coordinator with the help of the Service and Justice League which consists of League Leaders (president, vice president, etc.), KEY club project chairs, the Green Team, and MERFettes.

Also among McAuley's social justice organizations is the G.O.L.D. club. Formally known as the "Life Club," this club, which focuses on encouraging a pro-life atmosphere at McAuley, has widened its reach with the acronym G.O.L.D. which stands for "Guiding our live's decisions". The club annually travels to D.C. for the March For Life. It participates in the "Prom Promise" campaign encouraging students to be safe and make wise decisions during and after prom, and it actively promotes a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle for all the students of McAuley. Key Club is a national high school service organization. Its purpose is to provide service to the McAuley community and the Cincinnati area. Service projects include assisting shoppers at a local food pantry, working with kids with disabilities, serving dinner to the homeless, tutoring at-risk students in reading and math, participating in several walk-a-thons and other annual cleanup or collection events, and many more!

MERF stands for the McAuley Emergency Relief Fund. MERFettes are the representatives of the MERF program within their McAuley Family. They are responsible for educating their family about the current collection, sending around the collection can, and announcing service and justice opportunities to their family. CSTAT stands for the Catholic Social Teaching Action Team and provides for the justice portion of the league. It is an organization of high school students committed to living the Gospel message by raising awareness of the social injustices that permeate our society. With the themes of Catholic Social Teaching as their guide, members actively participate in the work of creating a world where all people can live in dignity and peace. Grub for Justice meetings are held throughout the year which are sponsored by CSTAT. At these meetings, students from multiple schools in the area meet to learn more about the injustices of the world and to discuss how to make a positive impact on the world. The Green Team is composed of students who are interested in promoting a more environmentally-friendly school and community. Members meet to discuss new recycling programs and other ways McAuley can help the environment. The Green Team is in charge of running the Recycle Center and all other new recycling programs.

"Women In" Program
The “Women In” Program is an academic program of McAuley High School that provides students with a peek into the fields of medicine, engineering, and law. This four-year program is open to selected incoming freshmen who have above average standardized test results and have excellent academic grades at their elementary schools. This program is also open to students who have completed their freshman year and who meet the required standards. During the freshmen year of the “Women In” Program students will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of Women in Medicine, Women in Engineering, Women in Law, and Women In Technology. After completion of the freshmen year, “Women In” students will choose one of these programs to continue studying.

Awards and recognition
During the 1999-2000 school year, McAuley High School was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education, the highest award an American school can receive.

A joint vocal ensemble from McAuley and LaSalle High Schools, won the Overall Grand Champion Award at the 2006 Nashville Music Festival in April.

The Varsity bowling team traveled to the state championships in 2007 and 2008, finishing in 5th place both years. The 2007-2008 final overall record for the Mohawks was 21-1. The Mohawks were also GGCL Champs and took 3rd place in the Holiday Classic held at Western Bowl on December 15, 2007.