Mercy Academy began construction on a new Science, Technology, Art and Math (STEAM) Innovation Center on April 16, according to a statement from the school. The expansion is supported by the Mercy BOLD fundraising campaign and will be located on a recently acquired 5.5-acre plot behind the existing campus.
The project is significant as it reinforces Mercy Academy’s status as the nation’s first all-girls STEM certified school and aims to further equip students for future opportunities in science and technology fields. The new center will add 12,000 square feet to the campus and feature specialized classrooms, collaborative spaces, art studios, an outdoor classroom, and advanced laboratories.
“Mercy is proud of its leadership in STEAM education and its long-standing commitment to taking bold steps that equip, empower and prepare students for the future,” said Mercy President Becky Montague. “The groundbreaking of this new innovation center marks an exciting new chapter in that commitment to excellence.” Montague also said that integrating science, technology, and art classes helps break down barriers for young women entering these fields: “All of those things break down barriers for young women to feel as though they are quite capable of stepping into those roles.”
The building will be named after Dr. Sheri Sauer Kalbfleisch, an alumna from the class of 1965 who was a Louisville physician. Her husband Paul contributed $2 million toward the campaign in her memory. During the ceremony attended by donors, board members, staff and alumni, student Nora Brown addressed attendees: “Here at Mercy,” she said, “our teachers invest every ounce of their compassion into our learning. They deserve a center that reflects this dedication and gives them every resource to apply it.” Father Jason Harris blessed the site with words from St. Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians.
Montague said teachers plan to use outdoor spaces for class discussions called “Socratic Seminars.” The facility is expected to be completed by late spring or early summer of 2027.
The Archdiocese of Louisville promotes Catholic spiritual development through various ministries according to its official website. It maintains archives safeguarding historical documents from its institutions as reported by the official website, aligns with Roman Catholic Church governance according to its official website, seeks spiritual growth while addressing human needs according to its official website, operates under guidance from consultative groups like the College of Consultors as noted on its official site, and provides pastoral care across central Kentucky parishes according to its official website.
