Our IB students surpassed the National SAT average by almost 400 points!

Our International Baccalaureate students surpass the world average IB as well!

Mercyhurst is one of only 2,728 schools in 138 countries around the globe who are part of the prestigious International Baccalaureate Organization. The IB program is based on the concept that general education at the upper secondary level should promote the development of the lifelong skills of critical thinking, communication, and integration of the information through an in depth study of the major areas of knowledge. Successful completion of the program earns for the student a diploma/certificate recognized for university admission and for course credit at many colleges and universities throughout the world. The IB’s greatest value, however, lies in its intrinsic worth as a challenge and a symbol of the greater achievement to which the student has aspired.

What is being said about International Baccalaureate?

From…

IB International…

“IB is the most rigorous academic curriculum offered on a high school level.”

Educational Leadership Magazine…

“The world needs young people who are culturally sophisticated and prepared to work in an international environment.” April 2007

Admissions Director…

“When I was an admissions director, my candidate evaluation process always afforded more weight to the IB program over AP courses. Of course the IB curriculum requires much more of a student over AP courses; it’s a more cerebral approach that actually insists upon classroom participation and the ability to synthesize all elements of one’s education as opposed to doing well in standardized examinations of individual subjects. Even if a student took all the AP courses s/he could, our approach would still give the nod to candidates with the full IB.” College admission’s director

A Parent…

“The IB program was a major reason why I wanted my sons to attend Mercyhurst Prep. It’s a program that prepares students to function as adults in the international community that is our world today. They learn how to write, to present themselves in front of an audience and to speak a foreign language with confidence. In these days of schools focusing so intensively on teaching to various tests, Mercyhurst’s educational focus on teaching the whole student and encouraging critical thinking is extremely refreshing.” Amy E Buttell (Crane), Writer & Editor, Lake Effective Creative

A Graduate…

Gabriella Bensur, a 2008 IB Diploma honoree, stated, “MPS really must be one of the best high schools in the country. Though very intense and challenging, IB was definitely the best experience of my life. (MPS) is a community where spirituality, individuality, and global thinking are embraced in order to form minds that are able to tackle any problem of any magnitude within a diverse world. I learned to always push myself, to be determined, to be open-minded, to be interested in many things, to write properly, to research, to correct my own mistakes, to have self-discipline, to make time for God, and to work hard. I do not think many high schools give these lessons to their students. The community at MPS is priceless!”
Gabriella Bensur, Class of 2008

A Current Student…

“The IB program is exceptional; not only does its uniqueness, rigor, and depth set it apart from other academic programs around the world, but it is placed in an environment at Mercyhurst Prep, where every bit of knowledge is extracted and used to expand students’ learning beyond their ‘limits.’” Autumn Anderson, Class of 2010

IB Coordinator…

“IB is a liberal arts curriculum with a global focus. The program is an integration of disciplines brought together by the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class, something lacking in one-dimensional AP standardized exams. IB helps students to excel in communicative and writing skills. It is a program that encourages personal growth and self-confidence. IB courses challenge our students to become excellent critical thinkers and problem solvers.”
Kathryn Donovan