the sisters of mercy, founded by mother catherine mcauley in dublin, ireland, opened an academy in the washington heights section of new york city in september 1889. the classes included were grades 1 through 12. at that time, the first academy resembled the large estates which surrounded it. toward the end of the 19th century as registration increased, the sisters erected a new building across the street at 539 west 152nd street. in 1900 the university of the state of new york granted a regents charter to the school.