Academics
Signature Programs

Leadership Distinction & Internship Program

At Mercy, every girl has a chance to be a leader.

Whether it be inside the classroom, on the playing field, or in Mercy’s vast extracurricular programs, 100% of student government, sports, and club leadership positions are filled by girls.

The communication, decision-making, and community building skills that young women need to make a difference in the world are integrated throughout the Mercy curriculum. 

Mercy Leadership Distinction Program

All high school students start Leadership Studies in 9th grade at Mercy and are then eligible to apply for continuation in the Leadership Distinction Program at the beginning of their sophomore year.

The Mercy Leadership Distinction Program (LDP) is a challenging and supportive four-year experience that leads to a Seal of Leadership Distinction on a student’s high school diploma. This elite program is intended for distinguished students who show leadership aptitude in all they do, as well as a firm desire to continue pursuing leadership studies. Students who are accepted into the program are driven, reliable, passionate, hardworking, and empathetic.

Students who choose to embark on this program complete specific course requirements each year, including college credit coursework, co-curricular activities, and experiential learning opportunities.

Yearly assessments are linked to their growth in the five characteristics of Mercy’s Profile of a Graduate: compelled by mercy, educational courage, inspired by faith, principled leadership, and a voice for dignity and respect.   

The last step to receive the distinction requires a 40-hour internship and a culminating interview with our Leadership Advisory Board. School-based internships, job shadowing, external internships, along with service learning are key components of this program.

Internship Placements

  • Alliance Advisory Group
  • American Diabetes Association- Upstate New York Office 
  • Autism Up iCan Bike Camp
  • Bell & Spina Architects-Planners, CPL: Architecture, Engineering and Planning Firm
  • Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
  • Central New York Fertility Clinic
  • Connors & Ferris LLP
  • Dermatology Associates of Rochester
  • Endeavor Wealth Advisory Group 
  • Erdman Anthony Marketing Department
  • Evangelisti Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery, Anthony Jordan Health Center
  • Geva Theatre
  • Highland Hospital
  • Jaimie’s Bridge
  • Kammholz Law Firm PLLC
  • Keeping Our Promise, Inc.
  • Laboratory for Laser Energetics of the University of Rochester
  • Learn to Skate USA
  • Mary Cariola Center
  • Monroe County Courthouse
  • Nixon Peabody, LLP
  • Northwestern Mutual
  • Passero Associates: Engineering and Architecture Firm
  • Red Wings
  • Rochester City Court
  • Rochester Family Court
  • Rochester Regional Health, Quality Improvement Specialist
  • Rochester Regional Immediate Care
  • Rush-Henrietta Sperry Senior High School
  • Sandy & Spezzano, Radio 
  • The Smith Opera House
  • Twelve Corners Apothecary
  • Vitalize Medical & Aesthetics
  • Xerox Corporation

Framework

List of 3 items.

  • Academic Course Selection

    Mercy currently offers several courses that emphasize leadership, including Leadership Studies, Morality, Personal Money Management, Public Speaking, and Media Literacy. Some classes also include college credits, further developing college transcripts. As Mercy's Program of Studies has continued to grow and evolve, more leadership electives have been approved and added.

  • Co-Curricular Opportunities

    Co-curricular opportunities incorporate school leadership, academic competitions, extracurricular activities, ministry, and attendance at symposiums, speeches, or conferences into the students' experience.

  • Experiential Learning

    Leadership candidates will engage in experiential leadership opportunities, including school-based internships, job shadowing, and external internships. Internships are completed in junior/senior year and are 40 hours, unpaid.

Advisory Board

The Mercy Leadership Distinction Program is supported by an advisory board led by the Leadership Distinction Program Coordinator. Members of the advisory board include the Principal, the Dean of Academics, and other community members with backgrounds in student and/or community leadership at the collegiate level. The advisory board meets regularly to consult on the program, monitor students' progress, and serve as a panel for final competency presentation exams in the students' senior year.

Internship Hosts

Unlike other internship programs, Mercy's LDP internship opportunities are specifically tailored to each student's unique interests and aspirations. As such, we are always looking for a wide variety of host/placement opportunities! If you are interested in hosting a Mercy intern or providing a job shadowing opportunity, please contact Tish Ciaccio.
Host a Mercy Intern
What students are saying...

- Avery Moose '25, Endeavor Wealth Advisory Group Intern

"From my experience in this program, I have learned that as a leader it is so important to care about those around you. Building relationships with people is essential to becoming a strong leader."

- Katie Klee '25, Red Wings Promotional Intern

"This program challenged me to grow both personally and professionally, offering hands-on experience and reflection that helped me identify and strengthen my leadership qualities, having a lasting impact on how I lead, collaborate, and contribute to any team or community I am a part of."

- Molly Sawyer '25, Central New York Fertility Clinic Intern

"From this experience, I learned that leadership can have many different forms, using all different types of skills. I realized that everyone has a different pathway to creating their family and that faith, empathy, patience and understanding is the key to forming relationships and thriving as a leader."
What intern hosts are saying...

  • - Gina Cimineri '97, CEO & Wealth Management Advisor, Northwestern Mutual & Take Two Financial

    “As a proud alum, parent of a Mercy senior and a woman in finance, I know how powerful it is to have strong role models early on.  Hosting a senior intern from Mercy is a way to give back to the community that shaped me – and to show young women that they have a place in this industry.  At Northwestern Mutual & Take Two Financial, we believe in investing in the next generation of leaders, and I’m especially passionate about creating space for young women to consider a future career in financial services.”

  • - Joshua Fidler, Learning and Organizational Development Coordinator,Mary Cariola Center

    "Mary Cariola Center has had two interns from Our Lady of Mercy School for Young Women in the 2024-2025 Academic year.... Our goal is to create an experience that revolves around the interests of the interns to help show what we do and provide them a direct look into the human services profession. Both interns were extremely professional, adaptable, hardworking, and inquisitive in their experiences. Mary Cariola Center looks forward to continuing their partnership with Mercy into the future."

  • - Karin Pecora, Chief Marketing Officer, Erdman Anthony

    "Most interesting to me in hosting interns from Mercy has been the fresh perspective with which students approach project work, as they are coming into the workplace with very few if any biases. What may seem habitual or even mundane to me is completely new and presents an opportunity for students to look at a problem or challenge in a different manner. It’s refreshing for me to gain alternative perspectives and rewarding for students to contribute."

High School Signature Programs

Middle School Signature Programs

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      Leadership Distinction Pins

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      High Schoolers During Passing Time

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      High School Students in Historic Classroom

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