Widely considered the world’s premier academic curriculum, the International Baccalaureate (IB) furthers Mercy High School’s mission, enabling students to form habits of lifelong inquiry, critical thinking, and courageous action in society. The IB’s rigorous academic approach delivers impressive results: studies show that acceptance rates for IB students at prestigious colleges and universities across the globe outpace other applicants.
In 2019, Mercy became the only all-girls’ Catholic school in Baltimore authorized to offer the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, caring young people through engaging coursework and a culminating sophomore research project. The MYP is the academic program undertaken by every ninth and 10th grade Mercy student.
In 2024, Mercy received authorization to offer the Diploma Programme (DP), extending its IB commitment to providing a high quality, challenging, international education to 11th and 12th graders. The DP features coursework across six subject groups, a high-level seminar on the nature of knowledge, a special project involving creativity, activity, and/or service, and a culminating essay. Members of the Class of 2027 will be the first graduating class to complete the full Diploma Programme.
This article is part of our 2026-2027 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools
