Our Admissions Process
We're delighted that you are considering Our Lady of Mercy Academy! We welcome the opportunity to share with you what we believe makes Mercy an exceptional learning community. The admissions process is really about getting to know each other and discovering if Mercy is the right place for you. This is a process for you to come to know our school, and to decide if Mercy Academy offers the kind of experience of which you and your family will want to become a part.
We want to help in any way that we can with your decision. If you have any questions, please contact Megan Amundson, Director of Admissions, at 603/352-2720 x213 or via email at admissions@stjosephkeene.org.
2024-2025 School Year
Admissions opened for the 2024-2025 school year on November 13, 2023 for students from Saint Joseph Regional School and on January 3, 2024 for students from all other schools. Space is very limited for each class, so we strongly encourage students to apply as early as possible to secure their spot.
Our process:
1. CLICK HERE to complete our Initial Inquiry form. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have and /or schedule a meeting and school tour.
2. Our Director of Admissions, Megan Amundson, will be in contact with you via phone or email.
3. Complete all parts of the online application, including a $20 application fee, teacher recommendation information (English/Math teachers), release of records, and essay.
4. A tour of the school will be scheduled. Please note that school tours are available Monday through Friday 9:00am-2:00pm when school is in session. It is important that prospective families experience our school community in action when our students/faculty are present to fully observe the joy and vibrancy of OLMA. If you are traveling from out-of-town to visit the school or it is the summer, we will make every effort to accommodate your schedule.
5. We require a shadow day for all prospective students. Our Director of Admissions will work with your family to find a suitable day. Prospective students will be paired up with one of our current students in the same grade to serve as a guide and ambassador throughout the day. Shadow days are valuable as they give both students and parents an accurate, firsthand experience at OLMA. It is an opportunity for students to meet the teachers, interact with classmates, observe how classes are taught, and engage directly with our school community. Included during the shadow day will be a brief interview of the prospective student with the Dean of Students and Principal.
6. Once all materials are received, the file will be reviewed and if appropriate, an acceptance letter will be sent.
7. Families have two weeks upon receipt of the acceptance letter to pay the registration fee ($250) and complete enrollment forms online to secure their spot in the class.
8. Apply for financial assistance, if interested/eligible. Please see details below.
TUITION
​
The tuition for the 2024-2025 school year is $8,750. There is also an annual enrollment/reenrollment fee of $250. ​We have one standard tuition rate for all families (Catholic and non-Catholic). In the fall of each year, we have one 50/50 raffle fundraiser in which participation is required by all families.
​
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
​
For those who are interested in financial assistance, the following steps, in this order, will be required to be followed by all those applying for financial assistance:
​
​
1. Submit application for NH Education Freedom Accounts (through the NH Children's Scholarship Fund).
​
In 2021, the State of New Hampshire created the new Education Freedom Account (EFA) program to help expand educational opportunities for New Hampshire children. Eligible New Hampshire families earning up to 350% of the poverty line can direct part of their child’s state education funding to pay for tuition at the school of their choice (including Mercy Academy), tutoring, online learning programs, educational supplies, internet connectivity, and other educational expenses. Applications (managed by the NH Children's Scholarship Fund) are accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis. The typical grant amount received is approximately $3,700. CLICK HERE for details and to apply.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
2. Submit application for NH Education Tax Credit Scholarship (managed by the NH Children's Scholarship Fund) for students entering Kindergarten or Grade 1, or new students in grades 2-12 transferring from a public school. CLICK HERE for details and to apply.
​​
​​
​​3. For all Catholic families, Fr. Alan Tremblay has created a scholarship fund for parishioners of the Parish of the Holy Spirit. Click below for details and the application. For more information, please contact the Parish Office directly at 603-352-3525 or via email at holyspirit.peace@gmail.com. CLICK HERE for the details and to apply.
​​
​​
4. Submit FACTS application to be eligible for the Lamothe Adopt-a-Student Fund, the Nielsen Scholarship Fund, and the Winnie Morenz Scholarship. CLICK HERE to apply.
​
​​​Financial assistance for Mercy Academy families comes from the Monsignor Daniel O. Lamothe Adopt-A-Student Fund. As a graduate of St. Joseph Regional School, Monsignor Dan has been a strong supporter of Catholic education throughout his life. In his honor, this fund was established to provide much needed tuition assistance to families with children attending St. Joe's and Mercy Academy.
The John J. Nielsen Scholarship is given to Catholic students within the Parish of the Holy Spirit who exhibit Mr. Nielsen's desire to spread the faith through education and to ensure that no student is excluded from Catholic education for financial reasons. This scholarship assists three families each year to overcome financial concerns to have their children attend St. Joseph Regional School or Our Lady of Mercy Academy. Three students in either elementary, middle or high school receive a Nielsen scholarship each year. We are honored to have the trust of the Nielsen family, grateful for their continued commitment to our students, and proud to honor Mr. Nielsen's wishes.
​
The Winnie Morenz Scholarship, setup by her husband Ed Morenz, honors Dr. Winifred “Winnie” Morenz, who passed away in 2017. Winnie was an active member of the Parish of the Holy Spirit, serving as both a lector and Eucharistic Minister. Winnie touched countless lives in the Keene community through her veterinary practice. All three of Winnie and Ed's children attended St. Joseph Regional School. The new scholarship fund continues the legacy of Winnie’s positive, giving spirit to help families who may not be able to send their children to Our Lady of Mercy Academy.
Our Lady of Mercy Academy admits students of any gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
