February 3, 2025
This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the February 2 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!
Thank you to those who attended our last PreK-12 event of the year, the January MPA Preview! Whether you brought home a piece of your own printmaking art or had a climbing wall adventure, we hope you enjoyed your time with us as much as we did giving you a genuine preview of our school and community.
With the final PreK-12 event of the year comes the end of our admission season, meaning the February 15 application deadline is approaching quickly and we are beginning to see all of the future Panthers who are ready to begin an MPA journey of their own. If you have not yet completed your application, we have five reasons to share why your family should begin your MPA journey by applying today.
1. Academic Rigor With Purpose
At every grade level, MPA finds a developmentally appropriate way to incorporate rigor–not just for the sake of a rigorous education, but to challenge students to push themselves and apply their knowledge to critical thinking and real-word problems to be solved. “Students gain a great sense of satisfaction from taking a project from idea to reality and seeing it meet expectations when it comes to fruition. This exemplifies engineering at Mounds Park Academy and in the real world,” says Mark Shapiro, MPA Upper School physics teacher, on what rigor with purpose looks like. MPA’s curriculum, coupled with small class sizes, allows for more collaboration, creativity, and opportunities for students to become well-prepared for college and beyond.
2. Strong Community And Values
MPA is a close-knit, inclusive community that values collaboration, respect, and social responsibility. Whether it’s in the classroom, on the athletic courts and fields, on the stage, or in the sound booth, this is a place where relationships are built to last. “I love the close-knit community at MPA,” recalls Class of 2023 alum Nicholas Larson. “I truly felt able to connect with my teachers and peers at a personal level and form lasting relationships that continue well after graduating.” At MPA, where everyone’s voice is heard and valued, we are committed to fostering a sense of belonging that makes our school an ideal place for students to grow both academically and socially.
3. Commitment To Character Development
Beyond academics, MPA emphasizes character education and personal growth, PreK-12. “MPA does an amazing job of developing leaders from a very young age,” recalls Jay Green, an MPA Lifer and Class of 2024 alum. “In Middle School, teachers stressed how we had to be leaders within our community. My MPA Middle School teachers will always be people that I think of when I hear the word ‘leadership’ because they challenged me to lead within the classroom and the Middle School every day.” With a focus on leadership, empathy, and ethical decision-making, MPA prepares students to be responsible and compassionate citizens. Students participate in community service projects, peer leadership opportunities, and group projects and presentations that help them develop strong values.
4. State-of-the-Art Facilities And Extracurriculars
Our facilities support a wide range of extracurricular activities, from performing on the Nicholson Center stage and competing in the Lansing Sports Center, to 3D-printing prototypes in the Makerspace and researching by the fireplace in the Library. students have access to 32 acres of indoor and outdoor resources that help them explore their passions beyond the classroom. The school’s commitment to well-rounded education means students can engage in activities that enrich their development and interests; with 55 Upper School elective offerings, 35+ Upper School clubs and organizations, and 25+ Middle School clubs and activities, there is something for everyone at MPA.
5. College And Career Readiness
As a college prep school, MPA prepares students for top colleges and universities–and for life. MPA’s 1:1 college counseling program offers personalized guidance to help students find the best fit for their academic and personal goals. Coupled with programs like alumni mentorship, MPA students graduate inspired to continue dreaming big. “MPA’s mentorship program has given me a chance to learn so much information about my dream of becoming a pilot that I cannot get from the internet. I cannot describe how excited and happy I was on the first day of the mentorship program,” said MPA international student and Class of 2020 alum Lyndon Lyu. “We started to write an email to our mentors, and I was so lucky to be paired up with a professional pilot. Being a pilot has been my dream for as long as I can remember.”
If you feel MPA is the right fit for your family, we encourage you to apply today. Space will remain in some grades after February 15, but Indexed Tuition will most likely not be available. We can’t wait to read all about each applicant and see this pack of new Panthers join our community.
