February 29, 2024
from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school
If you are active on Facebook and Instagram, you have probably seen the news that Delaney Cunnington was the state champion in gymnastics. Congratulations, Delaney! We are incredibly proud of you. Delaney’s success is a testament to her dedication and hard work, as she has spent countless hours practicing and demonstrating exceptional discipline.
You may be surprised to learn that MPA has a gymnastics team. We are fortunate to have established a cooperative agreement with Cretin-Derham Hall and Minnehaha Academy, allowing the three schools to field a gymnastics team. Cooperative teams are becoming more common and enable schools to offer sports that they might not be able to sustain individually. At MPA, students benefit from several cooperative agreements designed to provide opportunities for athletic competition while still benefiting from our rigorous college preparatory curriculum. MPA has 20 cooperative teams, including hockey, golf, and more.
MPA is proud to offer 43 competitive sports for grades 5-12, a significant number for a school of our size. Most schools our size offer 12-15 athletic programs. Programs such as tennis, golf, alpine, nordic, gymnastics, and lacrosse are programs that other schools do not offer. Our athletes and teams have achieved 11 team state championships and 27 individual state championships. Furthermore, 69% of Upper School students participate in sports.
While larger schools may have a larger pool of student-athletes and more competitive teams, there are advantages to being a small school. Regardless of the school’s size, only five players start in basketball and 11 in soccer. At MPA, student-athletes are more likely to have playing time, participate in practice, and have fun, all contributing to a fulfilling athletic experience.
A key aspect of the MPA athletic program is our no-cut policy, which allows all students to participate in a sport, no matter their ability. While this policy does not guarantee equal playing time, especially at the varsity level, it does provide opportunities for students to enjoy the sport, develop their skills, and be part of a team. Our no-cut policy promotes inclusion and sportsmanship and creates lasting memories for our students.
Coaches of both athletic and extracurricular teams understand that MPA students have diverse interests. They work together to accommodate practice schedules, rehearsals, concerts, and competitions, ensuring that students can pursue all their interests.
High school sports are evolving, with many athletes now focusing on one sport year-round rather than participating in multiple sports. This shift has affected participation in other sports, making it challenging to field teams, which highlights the importance of cooperative agreements. Some sports, such as softball and golf, are experiencing declining interest, while others, like boys’ volleyball and frisbee golf, are gaining popularity.
Research indicates that participating in sports can have numerous positive effects on students, including improved academic performance, physical health, mental health, and social and emotional development. For example, student-athletes tend to have higher GPAs than non-athletes, and participation is associated with improved attendance, graduation rates, and standardized test scores. Additionally, participation in sports is linked to higher self-esteem and lower levels of depression among adolescents.
Athletics play a significant role in the MPA mission. Our founders established the school with a focus on a balance between academics, athletics, and the arts. All three components are critical to providing a holistic education, allowing each student to explore and develop their interests and talents, as well as cultivate lifelong skills and attributes. Perseverance, teamwork, leadership, self-confidence, and self-discipline are just a few skills our students develop that are integral to the development of the whole child.
