July 15, 2013
You might think summers at Mounds Park Academy are quiet. But if you wander down the hallway between the Middle and Upper Schools, you’ll probably notice the creative wall and locker decorations. And if walk past the recital hall, you might hear dozens of excited students shouting “Booyah!” What’s this all about?
In 2005, an organization called Breakthrough Saint Paul launched after founder Jeff Ochs forged a partnership with Mounds Park Academy. The organization has since provided additional education to hundreds of motivated, high-achieving St. Paul Public School students as well teacher training to aspiring educators inside the walls of MPA. Recently, Breakthrough Saint Paul became its own 501(c)3 charitable organization, which will allow the program to expand beyond the walls of MPA and provide college preparatory learning opportunities for even more students in the Twin Cities metro area. Breakthrough Saint Paul is now Breakthrough Twin Cities!
“Thanks to over eight years of Mounds Park Academy’s generosity and support, Breakthrough Saint Paul has realized tremendous success with its program,” said Amy Stolpestad, Executive Director of Breakthrough Twin Cities. “With 100 percent of its graduates attending college on an average scholarship of $25,000 per year, Breakthrough decided it was time to share its successes with even more deserving students.”
The name change, Stolpestad explained, indicates the organization’s aspirations and paves the way for the opening of a second site in the summer of 2014. “Breakthrough Twin Cities is working to change the trajectory of even more motivated 7th through 12th grade students and help to develop a larger group of talented young teachers,” she said.
You are invited to learn more about Breakthrough Twin Cities and see the program in action at Breakthough Twin Cities’ Visitors Days. Upcoming Visitors Days are Wednesday, July 17 and Tuesday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Mounds Park Academy ( map and directions).
This is an opportunity to for donors, community partners, families, volunteers, etc. to learn what really happens on a typical day at Breakthrough. The morning will include an opportunity to meet our students & teachers, a small group tour of our classrooms and the chance to experience one of Breakthrough’s amazing “All School Meetings”. Refreshments will be available prior to the start of the event.
Questions and RSVPs should be directed to Breakthrough Twin Cities’ Development Director Colleen Rourke at crourke@breakthroughsaintpaul.org or 651.748.5595. Learn more at www.breakthroughtwincities.org.
