Understanding School Types & Finding The Best Fit

February 10, 2020

middle school student in class in the makerspaceAs consumers, we have the option of customizing virtually any purchase–education included. Parents can select from a wide range of school types, each with their own structure and approach. Making the best choice for your child starts with understanding the common characteristics of each kind of school: public and charter, private and independent, and religious and parochial.

Public and Charter Schools
As described by author Alex Caffee in her Niche blog, traditional public schools are tied to school districts and set their curriculums based on state education standards. Charter schools are public schools that are independent of school districts and have contracts with state or local boards.

“The basic concept of charter schools is that they exercise increased autonomy in return for greater accountability,” says Caffee. “As public schools, charter schools are open to all children, do not require entrance exams, cannot charge tuition, and must participate in state testing and federal accountability programs. The schools draw up their own ‘charter’ which is a set of rules and performance standards that they are held accountable to.” Read More

Momentum 2020: Living Out Our Mission

February 6, 2020

upper school students working together in the commonsby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

As we approach the end of our current 5-year strategic plan, Momentum 2020, work is underway to lay the foundation for our next plan. Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees and the school’s administration, the MPA community is engaged in a conversation around our core and aspirational values that will give direction to the new plan.

As part of this conversation, students in the Upper School were recently given the opportunity to provide their feedback on a list of core and aspirational values. They were also given the opportunity to name additional values represented at MPA that were not on the list provided. Imagine my reaction when the overwhelming value Upper School students offered was “kindness.” In a world that often feels anything but kind, I am proud that students affirmed kindness as a core value. While respect is part of our mission statement, kindness is the manifestation of respect, an expression of how students consciously choose to act. I couldn’t have been prouder.

We are fortunate to have a warm, kind, welcoming, and inclusive community, characterized by kindness. It represents a deliberate outcome set forth in our current plan that prioritized the creation and implementation of character education and wellness programs across each division. It serves as just one of many examples of how Momentum 2020 has guided the ongoing, continuous school improvement over the past five years. It is customary at this time of year that I provide an update on our strategic plan and how the school is living out its mission. As you will see in this infographic, we have accomplished a great deal. While it is impossible to capture all the progress that has been made in the last year, I would like to highlight a few notable accomplishments under each of the three strategic priorities. Read More

MPA Students Share Their Voices On Podcast

February 6, 2020

kindergartners sharing their initiative with upper schoolAs part of Design For Change’s Earth Day Network Plastic Pollution Design Sprint, two MPA Kindergarten students and Ms. Koen were featured in a blog post and on one of their podcast episodes! The Kindergarten students’ recent project selling reusable canvas grocery bags at Kowalski’s Market gave them the knowledge and confidence to take what they  learned about preserving the environment, eliminating plastic use, and global citizenship on air. Take a listen to what they have to say here!

While you listen, take a look at the Design For Change blog post, “A Look Behind the Scenes: Collaborating with Earth Day Network,” to see photos of the MPA Kindergarteners putting their passion to work. The blog expresses the importance of youth involvement, stating that “the biggest leaders in this fight are young people.” Right below that powerful statement is an image of MPA Kindergarteners marching into the Upper School commons to talk about why their efforts to save sea turtles and ocean life is so important. Further down in the story is another photo of MPA fifth grader Brooklynn J. beaming with her Kindergarten buddy while holding up the canvas bag they made in the Makerspace. Read More

Three Panthers Move On To State

February 6, 2020

isak at the alpine ski meetCongratulations to MPA’s Alpine Skiers! The girls team placed sixth out of 17 teams and the boys team placed ninth out of 17 teams in the Section 4A Meet at Wild Mountain. MPA Senior Emma Finch, MPA freshman Margo Nightingale, and MPA sophomore Isak Nightingale have advanced as individuals and will participate at the State Meet next week at Giants Ridge. Let’s go, Panthers!

Introducing The Martin Lenz Harrison Library

February 5, 2020

Ingrid cutting the ribbon to the libraryThank you to our generous and kind community for helping us unveil the brand new Martin Lenz Harrison Library yesterday! Martin Lenz Harrison was a member of MPA’s first graduating class. His memory and legacy will live on for generations of Panthers as they read, learn, and grow in their beautiful library.

His surviving parents Alfred and Ingrid Lenz Harrison and members of the first graduating class joined us on campus for the ribbon cutting and celebration. Thank you to our donors, volunteers, and community members!

Join Us At The Spring Auction Preview Event

February 5, 2020

auction committee chairsStop by the Family Commons during drop off time for drinks and snacks and to learn more about this year’s Spring Auction! You can ask questions, purchase tickets, and talk to the volunteer planning committee members about the event. In addition, if you bring wine, gift cards, or a silent auction item to donate, you will be entered in a door prize drawing to win one of our coveted Golden Tickets for your chance to win one of this year’s fabulous live auction items.

MPA Spring Auction 2020: Light Up The Night Preview
Friday, February 14, 2020
7:30-8:30 AM in the Family Commons

Feeling Supported And Strong At School

February 4, 2020

Lilly Ramalingam '20The following essay is adapted from MPA Class of 2020 member Lilly Ramalingam’s Senior Speech.

I started preschool at the age of two at my family-owned Montessori school, Ramalynn Montessori Academy. My parents, my grandparents and my uncle have all taught at the school and it is a four-minute walk away from my house, so it was almost quite literally a home away from home. Before graduating from Ramalynn after eighth grade, I was a confident and happy girl, with none of the worries I would quickly take on during my first two years of high school.

After eighth grade, I didn’t have much of a choice on where I would attend high school, since my parents and grandparents had already decided to send me where my uncle had gone before he went to college at Brown back in the 90s. This high school I attended for two years before coming to MPA will rename nameless.

I went into this new school as a freshman, while the majority of students in my grade had been together for many years before high school, so I knew I was already at a slight disadvantage, but because I’m generally a very social person, I wasn’t too worried about finding new friends. Read More

Middle School Quiz Bowl Qualifies For Nationals

February 3, 2020

the Middle School quiz bowl team qualified for nationalsThe MPA Middle School Quiz Bowl team had a great day at the GEMSTONE Middle School Quiz Bowl Tournament at Burnsville High School on February 1. MPA had 26 players competing on five teams that achieved outstanding results!

The MPA A Team of Maya A.,  Akshay S., Ben M., Molly V., Somya R., and Ian F. finished second out of 44 teams. This finish qualifies them for the MSNCT National Tournament in Chicago in May!

The MPA B team of Trevor L., Zain A., Zoya N., Annika B., and Navreen B. finished ninth out of 44 teams.

Individually, out of 203 players, Akshay S. finished fifth, Zain A. ninth, Trevor L. 25th, Ben M. 34th, Ethan M. 36th, and Zaq B. 37th. Read More

Be Part Of The Fiber Friends Quilting Project

January 30, 2020

the mpa fiber friendsThe MPA Fiber Friends are currently working on a community-wide quilting project and want your masterpieces to be part of it! Bring your artistic vision and voice and be a part of something special. Anyone may be part of the community quilting. The Fiber Friends meet on Fridays from 11 AM to 12:30 PM. This group of knitters, crocheters, and textile gurus is open to all parents, alums, grandparents, students, staff, and faculty. Beginners are always welcome!

And don’t miss the Fiber Friends at Maker Fest 2020!

Choose Your Summer At MPA!

January 30, 2020

panther camp campers going outsideSummer is fast approaching, and we are excited to announce our 2020 Enrichment Classes, Panther Camps, and additional summer program offerings! You will find a variety of opportunities to help motivate and nurture your child’s curiosity and learning, while having lots of fun in the process. Register today at moundsparkacademy.org/summer!

What is summer without our Panther Camp weeks? These programs offer weekly activity themes that allow students to explore nature, science, sports, arts, and so much more. Our Panther Camp program is available June 15-26 and July 13-August 21. You can register for daily, half-day, and weekly Panther Camp options. Panther Camp is available 7 AM–6 PM. Read More