May 9, 2024
from 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
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!
It 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.
MPA’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!”
from Jenn Milam, Middle School director
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
Congratulations to tenth graders Nom-Ujin Byambatsogt and Cosmo Vanzyl, who participated in the annual History Day state competition over the weekend! Out of hundreds of submissions, Cosmo received fourth place and Nom-Ujin received seventh! Picking a different theme each year, this edition of History Day settled on “Turning Points in History,” where students nationwide select a topic to research. Following the decision on the subject, students entering the event must pick different formats, including a 1500-2500-word research paper, a 500-word exhibit, a 10-minute documentary, a website, or a 10-minute performance.
Tanner Sunderman, coach of the Mounds Park Academy speech team, may have gotten a peek behind the curtain at what the competition thinks of the school’s ability.
Ready to boost your child’s fitness and skills this summer? Look no further than our Panther Speed and Strength Programs and Fitness Foundations, all guided by the expertise of MPA Strength Coach Sean Ryther!
While we wish everyone could join us for the MPA Spring Auction: Together We Can Move Mountains event this year, we’re happy that every supporter can join in from afar!