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Parents Association News And Events May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

PA Thank You!
A HUGE fresh-baked thank you to everyone who came into the Teaching Kitchen on Tuesday to clean, bake, and decorate cookies for all MPA staff on National Teachers Appreciation Day! We baked nearly 500 cookies for staff from Rebecca’s Nut-Free Cookies and Sweet Loren’s. Staff had a warm cookie with lunch and could sign up to take a small box home. Thank you, volunteers!

2024-2025 Volunteer Opportunities
The PA is looking for volunteers for next year. We need volunteers in all divisions, supporting everything from classroom parties to teacher appreciation to summer events. We want all parents and guardians to feel welcome and to engage in meaningful ways that fit their schedules. We often hear that people want to help out but do not want to be in charge. We are working on turning planning into more of a committee structure. If you would be willing to help organize within a group setting, reach out. Please get in touch with the PA at PA@moundsparkacademy.org to let us know how you might like to be involved. It is a great way to give back to the community and connect with other parents.

Farewell Party
Tuesday, May 28
Please join our middle schoolers and families for Field Day and a Farewell to John and Jenn Milam. Contact your grade reps or Molly.Oliver1@gmail.com for more information.

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.

MPA’s Portrait Of A Graduate And Competency Framework

May 9, 2024

HeadsMessagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As the school year draws to a close, we begin to celebrate the progress and growth of students, including art shows, concerts, competitions, special events, and ceremonies. The pinnacle of our academic year is commencement on Saturday, June 8. This event is a significant milestone for our school and for the 61 members of the MPA Class of 2024 as we come together to celebrate their achievements and honor their journey.

Other accomplishments are also worth celebrating, such as our progress toward realizing our strategic plan. In particular, I want to call attention to the work of a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and administrators that has been working throughout the year to create a competency framework grounded in our mission and actualizing the MPA Portrait of a Graduate. I’ve written many times before about competency-based (or mastery-based) learning and developing our unique MPA competency framework (these articles date back to 2015, but see “A Roadmap for Continuous Improvement” and “2024ward: An Update” for the two most recent). Before I share the latest update, I’d like to provide some context.

The first priority of 2024ward challenges us to “Empower students to live, learn, and thrive in our increasingly complex and globalized society.” We do this by creating customized pathways of learning for students through curricular innovation and leveraging advances in educational technology. In addition to maximizing the use and integration of technology, MPA has been on a multi-year journey to continually enhance our school’s strengths in hands-on, experiential, project-based learning. Read More

MPA Trio Selected For All-State Choir

May 9, 2024

All-State Congratulations to Warner Reid ’26, Truman Wilgocki ’26, and Chali Yang ‘26, who auditioned and were selected to be members of the 2024-25 All-State Choir program. They were three of 1,491 students who auditioned for the various music ensembles that comprise All-State. Warner will sing in the Mixed Choir under the direction of Jake Runestad, while Truman and Chali will perform as part of the Tenor Bass Choir under the direction of Dr. Derrick Fox. The All-State Choirs convene this summer on the campus of St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN. Camp will conclude with a concert featuring all three All-State Choirs. Warner, Truman, and Chali, we are so proud of you!

Ms. DesLauriers Teams Up With Pilot Light

May 9, 2024

Liz Pilot LightIt was from a former colleague that Liz DesLauriers heard about Pilot Light, a Food Education organization that works nationwide to refine lessons and evaluate food education.

“A former co-worker told me about this,” DesLauriers said, who joined on a fellowship for the 2023-2024 school year. “I’ve always done a lot of food education in my classroom, so this step to doing this fellowship wasn’t that much of a change or a big difference from what I am already doing.”

Since the discovery, DesLauriers has found Pilot Light to be a way to further ignite her cuisine teaching in her French classroom to benefit MPA.

“Since joining the fellowship, I’ve definitely put deeper meaning into my food education lessons and approached it from different angles,” she said. “I was using food as a venue for culture, which I still do a ton, but now I’m bringing in different aspects of where your food comes from, how does your food benefits you, and what you can do with food your food yourself as a young student to feel healthier or feel creative. I feel like we are diving deeper into cultures because of that.”

Read More

MPA Hosts Haiti Celebration

May 2, 2024

HaitiMPA’s ongoing commitment to fostering global awareness and cultural appreciation took another step as we hosted an amazing cross-age celebration focused on the country of Haiti, dubbed the Haiti Celebration! Students gathered in the Commons, Library, and Gallery to experience firsthand the wonders of Haiti. Together, we explored various aspects of Haitian culture, including its geography, history, language, cuisine, music, and art. Highlighting the event included the sampling of Soupe Joumou, also known as “Freedom Soup!”

The celebration was a collaborative effort between world language faculty member Liz DesLauriers, and MPA parent Moira Duverneau-Salifu, and her family. We are incredibly grateful to Moira for her invaluable guidance, expertise, and willingness to share her beautiful culture with all of us.

Parents Association News And Events May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

Upper School Parent Quarterly Coffee
Friday, May 3, 8-9:30 AM, Library
Joining us will be representatives of Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA), a Chinese international school located in Shenzhen, China with whom MPA has established a formal partnership. Learn more about the partnership between the two schools, share information about MPA through the lens of a parent, and gather details about the education system in China. Coffee and pastries will be served.

Middle School Parent Quarterly Coffee
Friday, May 3, 8-9:30 AM, Family Commons
Coffee, pastries, and community. What better way to start a Wednesday! Come to connect with Mr. Paul Errickson, MPA’s incoming Middle School director.

Volunteers Needed For New Family Panther Party
Friday, May 3, 3:45-5:45 PM, Family Commons
Calling all parents! MPA would love for you to help welcome new families to MPA. On May 3, from 3:45-5:45 PM, we will be welcoming newly admitted families to campus during the annual New Family Panther Party. Volunteers are needed to meet and greet new families, inform folks of our summer events, and answer any questions families might have. We will also be selling MPA spirit wear from our Talisman collaboration. Sign up today!

Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Tuesday, May 7
Join the MPA Parents Association as we celebrate National Teachers Appreciation Day. We will be baking cookies for all MPA staff in the Teaching Kitchen and serving the cookies during lunch. All supplies provided. Click here for details. The MPA PA: Still. In. Our. Appreciation. Era.

LS LGBTQ+ Group
Wednesday, May 8 11:30 AM, Panther Center
This LS LGBTQ+ Group meeting will serve as a time for us to get to know each other better, and think of ways to make this group an inclusive and effective space for future meetings. The goal of this group is to become an intimate community of parents, allies, and teachers who can support one another and share resources and education. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Contact Rachael Weber at rachealeweber@gmail.com for more details.

Please RSVP to rachealeweber@gmail.com and spread the word to any MPA friends who you think would be interested in joining.

Summer Sporting Events
MPA x MNUFC: MN United vs. Austin FC, Allianz Field
Saturday, June 22, 7:30 PM
Get your tickets ($49 each) in our group section here! The deadline to purchase tickets is June 7.

MPA x St. Paul Saints: St. Paul Saints vs. Omaha Storm Chasers, CHS Field
Friday, July 26, 7:07 PM (fireworks to follow the game)
Purchase tickets (infield seats this year!) in our group section here. The deadline to purchase tickets is July 8.

Lower School Division News May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

LS Division Newsfrom Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

  • Thursday, May 2: Grades 4-8 Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
  • Friday, May 3: Connect With MPA’s New Middle School Director, 8:15 AM, Library
  • Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM
  • Friday, May 3: PreK-12 After School Library Hours, 4-5:30 PM, Library
  • Monday, May 6: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Tuesday, May 7: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Wednesday, May 8: PA LS LGBTQ+ Family Group Meeting, 11:30-12:30 PM, Panther Center
  • Thursday, May 9: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Friday, May 10: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Tuesday, May 14: LS Duty Free Lunch, 12:15-12:50 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, May 15: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
  • Thursday, May 16: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Friday, May 17: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Friday, May 17: LS Grade 1 Poetry Picnic, 2-3 PM, Playground Area; Martin Lenz Harrison Library (rain location)
  • Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, South Entrance
  • Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 28: LS Field Day, 8:30-11 AM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
  • Wednesday, May 29: LS/US Grade 4 Introduction to the Instruments Concert, 10:30-11:20 AM, Panther Center
  • Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
  • Monday, June 3: LS End of Trimester 3
  • Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM

The calendar and fun programs and offerings in the Lower School are ramping up! Please read on for updates:

CHAMP News
Our next CHAMP assembly is May 15, and we will be learning about having self-control. Please send your child(ren) to school on May 15 wearing their CHAMP colors!

May Sprit Days: Wear Your MPA Gear
On Fridays in May (May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31), Lower School students wear their MPA gear (sweatshirt or t-shirt) as their tops with uniform bottoms. This Friday is our first spirit day. Let’s show our Panther pride throughout the month of May!

A Note About What to Wear on CHAMP/Spirit Days
We have received some questions about this, so please note that students are invited to wear their CHAMP shirts (on CHAMP days) and MPA spirit wear (on spirit days) along with uniform bottoms.

Middle School Division News May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

MS Division Newfrom Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

  • Thursday, May 2: MS Family Dinner, 5:15-6 PM, Family Commons
  • Thursday, May 2: Grades 4-8 Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
  • Thursday, May 2: MS Vocal Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, May 3: Connect With MPA’s New Middle School Director, 8:15 AM, Library
  • Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM
  • Friday, May 3: PreK-12 After School Library Hours, 4-5:30 PM, Library
  • Monday, May 6: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Tuesday, May 7: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Wednesday, May 8: MS Grade 5 Service Trip, 8:30-11:30 AM, Off Campus
  • Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Thursday, May 9: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Thursday, May 9: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Friday, May 10: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Friday, May 10: MS Grade 7/8 Dance, 7-9 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, May 15: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Thursday, May 16: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Thursday, May 16: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, May 17: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Monday, May 20-24: MS Grade 7 Washington D.C. Trip
  • Thursday, May 23: MS Grade 5 Inventor’s Fair, 2:20-3 PM, Family Commons
  • Thursday, May 23: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, South Entrance
  • Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 28: MS Field Day, 12:30-3 PM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
  • Thursday, May 30: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
  • Friday, May 31: MS Grades 5/6 Canoe Trip, 8-3 PM
  • Friday, May 31: MS Grades 7/8 Valleyfair Trip, 8-3 PM, Valleyfair
  • Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter 4
  • Monday, June 3: LS/MS Grades 4 and 8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM

Happy May! I hope you’re marking your calendars and looking forward to a great end to this school year!

Spring Sports: Calendars, Cancellations, and Coordinating Schedules!
Spring sports seasons are upon us and schedules can be very fluid, depending on the weather. Please know that we, along with the Athletic Department, do our best to avoid last-minute cancellations of games and practices, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. Please bookmark the MPA Athletics website on your phone and check the weekly athletic schedule regularly to plan and organize your family activities. Additionally, please ensure that Dawn Zimmerman has your most current contact information to be in touch as needed. You can reach her at dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org.

Middle School Dinner + Transition Meeting Tonight!
Please plan to join us tonight (Thursday!) for our Rising Grade Level meetings and Middle School Vocal Concert. This is an exciting evening when we share a meal, offer insight for you and your student about next year, our new schedule, class trips, and more. Our evening will begin with dinner at 5 PM, transition meetings at 6 PM, and then our concert at 7 PM. We hope you’ll join us for all (or part!) of our evening.

SAGE and Chef Chris are making pizza/flatbread, salad, and dessert, as well as allergy-friendly options. If you missed sending an RSVP by the deadline last week, you’re welcome to bring food from home/take-out and join us in the Family Commons for fun and fellowship. We cannot add families/students to SAGE dinner service at this time.

NOTE: Rising Upper School parents will meet with Mr. Segal and Mr. Dean, Upper School Director and Assistant Director, respectively, in the Upper School Commons. It’s another great opportunity to learn what’s ahead!

Special Guest: Mr. Errickson, MPA’s Next Middle School Director
Mr. Errickson will be in Minnesota for a short visit on May 2 and 3. He will join us for our Middle School dinner, transition meetings, and performance on May 2, and we will host a coffee gathering on Friday morning, May 3. We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Mr. Errickson to MPA!

Attention: All Eighth Grade Parents! Moving Up Ceremony And Slideshow!
We are beginning our planning for the Moving-Up Ceremony on Monday, June 3, 1:30 PM. Please mark your calendars now for this special occasion to celebrate our eighth-grade class and to welcome our newest Middle School classmates from Lower School.

All parents and families of our grade eight students are asked to submit three photos of their student to be shared in the slideshow! All eighth-grade students will have photos included and this is your chance to celebrate your amazing kid.

Please send three photos to Christine Larson (chrisandmatt@hotmail.com) at your earliest convenience. The three photos should include one of each of the following:

  1. one from when they were young,
  2. one that captures their passion and personality, and
  3. one from Middle School with their friends

The sooner you send these, the sooner we can begin putting together the most amazing keepsake slideshow!

NOTE: The Passion Project Showcase will immediately precede the Moving-Up Ceremony on the same day, at 1 PM. Please save the date/time on your calendars now–the end of the year will be here before you know it!

Upper School Division News May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

US Division News from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, May 3: US Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
  • Friday, May 3: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
  • Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM
  • Friday, May 3: PreK-12 After School Library Hours, 4-5:30 PM, Library
  • Saturday, May 4: US Prom, 8-11 PM, American Swedish Institute
  • Monday, May 6: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Tuesday, May 7: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Tuesday, May 7: US Speech Showcase, 7-9 PM, MPA Campus
  • Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Thursday, May 9: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Friday, May 10: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Friday, May 10: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
  • Thursday, May 16: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, 2-3 PM, Library
  • Thursday, May 16: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, May 17: Head of School Candidate Meet & Greet: Current Parents & Caregivers, Alumni, & Parents of Alumni, 11 AM-12 PM, Zoom, see email for link to join
  • Friday, May 17: Class of 2024 Last Day of Classes
  • Friday, May 17: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
  • Friday, May 17: US Robotics Season-End Banquet, 3-7 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, May 22: US Choral Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, May 24: US Senior Class Meeting, 8-9 AM, Recital Hall
  • Friday, May 24: Senior Performances, 10 AM, Recital Hall
  • Friday, May 24: US Senior Lunch and Alumni Panel, 11 AM-1 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, May 24: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
  • Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, South Entrance
  • Friday, May 24: Upper School Awards Assembly, 1:45-3 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 28: US World Language Finals
  • Tuesday, May 28: US Senior Service Fair, 1-4 PM, McKeown Track
  • Wednesday, May 29: US World Language Finals
  • Wednesday, May 29: LS/US Grade 4 Introduction to the Instruments Concert, 10:30-11:20 AM, Panther Center
  • Wednesday, May 29: Madrigal Singers Auditions, 3-6 PM, Recital Hall
  • Thursday, May 30: Retirement Gathering, 4-6 PM, Library
  • Friday, May 31: US Math Finals
  • Friday, May 31: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20 AM-12 PM, Room 150-151
  • Friday, May 31: US English Finals, 12-1:30 PM
  • Monday, June 3: MS/US End of Quarter
  • Monday, June 3: US Science Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
  • Monday, June 3: US Social Studies Finals, 12-1:30 PM
  • Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM
  • Wednesday, June 5: US Senior Dinner, 6-8 PM, Dellwood Country Club
  • Friday, June 7: Madrigal and Concert Choir Rehearsal, 10-11 AM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, June 7: US Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal, 11 AM-1 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Saturday, June 8: US Commencement, 6-7 PM, Nicholson Center

As seniors prepare for the end of the school year and their transition into adulthood, they (and their families) face a whirlwind of emotions. The American Psychological Association shares that, “while excitement about newfound independence and future opportunities can be exhilarating, it’s often accompanied by stress and anxiety.” The pressure to make significant life decisions about careers, relationships, and college can feel overwhelming. Psychologists, however, emphasize the importance of establishing and using coping mechanisms like mindfulness, self-reflection, and seeking the support of trusted adults and peers.

Yesterday was a day where members of the Class of 2024 may have felt additional pressure. The College Counseling department hosted their annual celebration for the graduating class as most of the students made their college selections “official.” Even though a small number of students have yet to make their final decision because of a delay in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and extended deadlines, it was tremendous to see the class’ interaction with and reliance upon one another as they worked through this stressful time of their lives. Educational psychologist Erik Erikson suggests that, “working through decisions is crucial for adolescents to develop a sense of self and purpose.” As they work to decide, students (and their families) grapple with questions about their values, beliefs, and aspirations which help shape their identities for the future. Read More

There Is An Increasing Anxiety In U

May 2, 2024

Heads Messagefrom Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

I’ve been an educator for over thirty years and have accompanied countless students and parents through the college search process. I’ve written numerous college recommendations. I’ve been the head of two college preparatory schools for 12 years. But when it matters most, accompanying my own daughter, I give myself a failing grade. Well, maybe a D. Yet my daughter succeeded largely because of her own initiative (for which I credit her middle school years at MPA). Many times throughout the last three years, I wished she could have benefitted from the outstanding college counseling program at MPA.

Yesterday, our PreK-12 school celebrated College Choice Day, and joined together to revel in the success of our seniors in gaining admission to their “right-fit” college or university. We purposely avoid celebrating the particular school they chose as much as we celebrate the culmination of a thoughtful process that resulted in a match of each individual student’s interests, abilities, and aspirations and provides opportunities for further growth and accomplishments. I am extremely proud of our seniors and their choices.

There seems to be an increasing anxiety in U.S. culture around the college search process, driven in part by an inflated importance of attending the “best” college instead of the “right-fit” college. The best fit for one student is not the right fit for the next, even among high-achieving, academically strong, and otherwise talented students. In his book, “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania,” author and former New York Times columnist Frank Bruni attempts to refocus the college search process. Bruni hopes to “restore the excitement of going off to college, which should be a time for taking intellectual and social chances, for finding or confirming a passion, and for discovering yourself,” rather than getting caught up with getting into the colleges and universities perceived as elite.

The mission of the MPA College Counseling Office is to provide information, structure, and attention to each class as a whole, as well as to each student individually. We share a common goal—a college choice that fits each child well and provides opportunities for further growth and accomplishments. Our integrated and multi-faceted approach includes our seminar and advisory programs, individual student and family meetings, special speakers and events, test-prep resources, and practice test opportunities.

Like our approach to education, the college admissions selection process at MPA is grounded in the whole child. College selection is driven by a student’s unique set of interests, preferences, and aspirations. Students also explore their own learning styles, personality, and ideas about career possibilities. Just as MPA balances arts, academics, and athletics, we encourage our students to strive for academic excellence and become well-rounded individuals through artistic pursuits and extra-curricular involvement.

Carefully considering each student’s individual interests, priorities, and aspirations and balancing that with the current college admission landscape takes time and reflection. With this in mind, students are led through a personalized and thoughtfully designed curriculum that starts in ninth grade and continues through junior and senior years. In each grade, MPA integrates developmentally appropriate elements of career exploration and college counseling through our advisory program and seminar programs, mindful of where the students are on their educational journey.

I often wish that I had access to the college counseling available at MPA when I was in high school. It was clear that my parents expected me to go to college, but I lacked the support at home or at school to engage in the kind of search afforded to students at MPA. In retrospect, I enjoyed a solid undergraduate education complete with incredible opportunities to grow and discover who I am, my strengths, and my passions. I was fortunate. I “fell into” my college rather than embracing a choice after a thoughtful and deliberate process.

According to the American School Counselor Association, the national student-to-school counselor ratio in 2022-23 was 1:385. The National Association for College Admission Counseling reports that of the many responsibilities of high school counselors, post-secondary admission counseling accounts for only 22% of their time. At MPA, students benefit from two full-time college counselors whose sole responsibility is advising and guiding students through the college search, application, admission, and selection process.

I want to encourage you to shake off any anxiety you may have about college admissions: you’re already well positioned for the college search adventure by having your child attend MPA. With the wisdom, experience, and guidance of our faculty and our outstanding college counselors, the college search can indeed be an exciting opportunity to dream big and do right, to embrace their individual interests and talents, and to become the people they are meant to be.

To see photos from College Choice Day, click here.