Both MES and SMC are managed by the Merchant Company of Edinburgh which is also responsible for the city's George Watson's College.

Sports include Aerobics, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross-country, Curling, Dance, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, ice skating, Highland Dancing, Hockey, Sailing, Skiing, Squash, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.

Extensive rugby and cricket pitches and athletics facilities are located at the school's sports grounds in Inverleith.

Almost 800 children sing regularly in choirs performing in all kinds of venues from the Usher Hall to St Peter's in the Vatican, from Songs of Praise[13] to sharing the stage with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

Boys and girls from the Junior School have had favourable reviews while performing over 680 times in professional West End touring musicals including over 220 appearances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Senior pupils have won prestigious scholarships to American Drama Schools and starred on TV.

Since 1965, the school has organised an outdoor education programme for the boys of SMC and the girls from MES in the third senior year.

It covers a wide variety of school societies, ranging from the House Music Competition to the Inter-house Hockey.

Students have a tutor (twinned with another at the other site) with whom they register in the morning, and who also helps them with their British university UCAS applications.

[17] Colours and half-colours can be awarded in Sixth Form to pupils who excel in non-academic areas (such as music, drama and individual sports).

[18] In 2015, popular destinations included St Andrews (11), Glasgow (18), Edinburgh Napier (3), Aberdeen (12), Newcastle (2) and Northumbria (5).

[21] Upon leaving MES, students have the opportunity to join the Mary Erskine Former Pupils Guild[22] which was founded in 1884.