INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATEWidely 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 is widely regarded, and studies show that acceptance rates of 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 9th and 10th grade Mercy student.Mercy is a Candidate School for the Diploma Programme (DP) extending their commitment to providing a high quality, challenging international education to 11th and 12th graders. The DP curriculum is made up of six subject groups and the DP core, comprised of Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) project, and the Extended Essay, allowing Mercy Girls to reflect on the nature of knowledge, complete independent research, and undertake a project that often involves community service.This article is part of the 2024-2025 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools.