Mercy High School is a private school, serving girls age 14 to 18 years old in grades 9 to 12.[3] The school was opened in 1931.[4] The prior mascot was the Crusader Rabbit.[citation needed] During the 2023–2024 school year, the school underwent a mascot change, and are now called the Mercy Bears.[citation needed]
The site of the school is also the Mercy Convent, a preschool, retirement center for the nuns, as well as a conference room and retreat at the Mercy Center.[4]
The English Tudor revival mansion was built for Charles Frederick Kohl and his second wife Mary Elisabeth "Bessie" (née Godey), as their country house.[5][6] It was completed in 1914, however two years later the house was unused after the couple separated.[5] In 1924, the mansion was sold to the Sisters of Mercy for $230,000.[6] The main building was exclusively a convent from 1924 to 1931, and it has been the home of Mercy High School since 1931.[6]
Hollywood used the estate when Disney filmed the movie Flubber in 1996, starring Robin Williams.[6]
Notable alumni
Jackie Speier, former California State Senator, Democratic Representative for California's 12th congressional district[7]
^Oremus, Will (2008-01-29). "Speier to announce Congress bid". Palo Alto Daily News. Archived from the original on 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2008-02-05. She is a graduate of Burlingame's Mercy High School and served on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors before jumping to the Assembly.