Civic Engagement
What is Civics?
Civics is the study and cultivation of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential to participate as a well-informed, engaged member within a community, a nation, and the world.
Our Approach to Civic Engagement
Our program is built on three core pillars, ensuring that civic learning is an integrated part of the Mercersburg experience – from the classroom to the community and beyond.
1. Civics in the Curriculum
Civic Education is not confined to a single class. While beginning in 2026, all students will take a dedicated American History and Civics course in 10th grade, the principles of civics are woven throughout our academic program.
From English classes that dissect texts on justice and societal change to science courses that debate the ethics of environmental policy, students learn to connect their studies to the wider world. They analyze economic data, explore cultural perspectives in world language, and examine art as social commentary. This multidisciplinary approach ensures every student graduates with a robust understanding of their role as a global citizen.
Real-World Engagement
We leverage our strong community and alumni network to move learning beyond campus. Students get a front row seat to civics in action, whether it’s attending oral arguments of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court or engaging with leaders in Washington D.C. and Harrisburg.
Civics Day
Our biannual, all-school Civics Day transforms the campus into a dynamic conference. We bring distinguished civic leaders – from policymakers and journalists to activists and entrepreneurs – directly to our students for keynote addresses, workshops, and small-group discussions.
Thursday Tea Talks
Thursday Tea Talks provide an informal, welcoming space for students to gather over tea and biscuits. These student-facilitated, faculty-supported conversations tackle current events, fostering respectful dialogue and the exchange of diverse perspectives.
Access to Civic Leaders
Throughout the year, students have direct access to leaders in a variety of fields. Through Brown Bag Lunches and special class visits, students can ask candid questions and learn from the experiences of judges, elected officials, community organizers, and more.
Community Outreach
We also partner with the Office of Experiential Education to get students out into the community, supporting our local partners and neighbors. Through hands-on service and community-based projects, students see the immediate impact of their contributions, learn to identify community needs, and build relationships that bridge the gap between our campus and the surrounding area. Civic engagement happens everywhere—from the capital to our own community.
2. Co-Curricular Programming
We provide real-world opportunities for students to see civics in action and engage with pressing issues outside the classroom.
3. Civic Student Advisory Board
Our civics programming is powered by student voice. The Civic Student Advisory Board is a dedicated, student-led group that plays a central role in shaping the conversation on campus. These student leaders receive specialized training in discussion facilitation and active listening, critical skills they use to help shape conversations on campus and to plan and host civic-themed events for the school. The board serves as a non-partisan hub for discussing government and current events, empowering students to take ownership of their own civic education and providing them with special access to unique learning opportunities.
"At Mercersburg, we believe civic education is not just an academic subject – it’s a fundamental practice. Our programming cultivates the essential skills of a healthy democracy: finding and evaluating information, thoughtfully engaging with multiple perspectives, and deliberating across differences with respect and empathy. By learning to think critically about complex challenges, our students are empowered not just to understand their world, but to actively and thoughtfully shape it.”
Emily Schoenberger, Director of Civic Engagement