Talent on hold

Mercersburg Academy is a demanding school in terms of academics, athletics, and the arts. Students have numerous exciting opportunities at every turn; these same opportunities, however, can make it difficult to see the areas where Mercersburg Academy holds its students back. 

Foreign language plays a crucial role in the life of everyone attending Mercersburg Academy. All students must study a “second” language in order to graduate. Students are, in most instances, required to study through the third year of second language instruction; even if it's not required, students are encouraged to progress and excel to the best of their ability.

The school’s Spanish program is the perfect example of how Mercersburg Academy’s policies can unnecessarily limit students. Freshmen can complete their year of Spanish III Honors with an unweighted A in the class, and yet their only option for the following year is Spanish IV, not Advanced Studies: Spanish Language and Culture. Meanwhile, some sophomores and juniors who earn a lower grade in the same class have the opportunity to proceed to AS Spanish, making it clear that the only restriction for rising tenth graders is their grade level. The premise that a younger student with an A is less capable or less worthy than an older student with a B is illogical at the very best. Every eager attendee of Mercersburg Academy should be able to pursue their education to the fullest and enter classes that engage them without constraint. 

Varsity volleyball is a similar example, with some players on varsity having only a few minutes of playing time thus far this season. This should be nearly impossible, considering that seven players are on the court during each game and the team only has ten members—unless, as often happens, swing players are brought in instead of giving varsity bench players a chance to play. This means the varsity bench never gets to play in a volleyball game and, therefore, never gains gametime experience. Whether it's the MVP from last year or a freshman new to the sport, if a student is a part of any PGA, it should be the aspiration of the coaches to train them to the best of their ability, even if their talent does not warrant playing time.

If the objective of Mercersburg Academy is to prioritize seniority of students, or highest GPAs over meaningful learning, and to win every MAPL game regardless of an athlete’s development, then these policies might make sense. Fortunately, Mercersburg Academy pursues a very different goal: to help its students grow, learn, and develop into the most capable, well-rounded, and knowledgeable young adults possible.