All School

Coming Together With Kindness, Generosity, And Community

March 6, 2025

MPA's development and community engagement team providing an update on the spring auction. from Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from members of the administrative team. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

When I started at Mounds Park Academy, it was the week of the 2016 MPA Spring Auction: Night at the Museum. I was immediately immersed in the energy and excitement of this incredible event. The development office buzzed with anticipation, but more than anything, I felt a profound sense of togetherness, the kind that defines MPA.

Experiencing my first Spring Auction was unlike anything I had been part of before. I was thrown into the whirlwind of planning, met incredible people, and saw firsthand what makes MPA so special. That night, I went home to my husband, Matt, and told him, “This is where I want to be.” That feeling of warmth, generosity, and joy has stayed with me ever since.

For me, the Spring Auction is, above all, about community. It is an evening where parents, alumni, employees, grandparents, and friends come together in celebration and support of our students and the future of MPA. It is a night filled with laughter, generosity, and the shared love we all have for this school. Read More

MPA Closed Wednesday, March 5

March 5, 2025

Good morning, MPA Families –

Unfortunately, due to the weather, we have decided to cancel all in-person classes, activities, and events for Wednesday, March 5. Upper School students should check Schoology by 8 AM for instructions from their teachers. Upper School students may have synchronous or asynchronous classes and/or work that they will be responsible for. All classes are canceled for Lower and Middle School.

We do not take this decision lightly as we balance the safety of our students, families, and employees with our commitment to having students at school. Safety, however, is always our highest priority.

We look forward to seeing you on campus on Thursday.

Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Hudson
Head of School

Golden Tickets Available Now—Get Yours Before They Are Gone!

March 4, 2025

The Gala of Gratitude is just around the corner, and we are excited to announce that Golden Tickets are now available. With only 100 Golden Tickets available at $150 each, you have the chance to win any live auction item of your choice, from an unforgettable Bali getaway to an exclusive private chef experience in your home. Read More

Parents Association News And Events February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

A parent and teacher work with Lower School students. Cultural Celebration Day at MPA is happening soon! Join us for an evening of food, music, crafts, and community on April 9, 3:15-5:30 PM. Let’s come together as a community to make this a fun, educational, and inclusive event!

There are several ways to participate in this event:

  • Host an informational table on the day of the event. Click here to sign up!
  • Help with planning food, music & dance performances, arts & crafts, etc.

If you would like to help host, plan, or have any questions, please email seema_anwar@hotmail.com.

Upper School Division News February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

Upper School students laughing. from Mark Segal, Upper School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Friday, February 28: G3-G12 SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
  • Friday, February 28: US SnoDaze Student Body Event, 3:15-5 PM, Lansing Sports Center
  • Tuesday, March 4: MS/US Girls Basketball Banquet, 5:30-7 PM, Family Commons
  • Monday, March 10-Friday, March 21: No Classes, Spring Break

Research consistently demonstrates that fostering a strong sense of community within a high school setting is beneficial for students social-emotional development, academic achievement, and overall well-being. According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, “schools with robust community-building programs report a noticeable (32%) increase in student engagement and academic performance (28%).” These findings show that students in schools with strong community programs demonstrated increased empathy and more positive attitudes toward their education.

The development of meaningful relationships within the school community creates a foundation of trust that extends beyond the classroom walls. When students from different grade levels interact through structured (or unstructured) activities, mentorship programs, and shared experiences, they develop valuable social skills and meaningful connections. Recently, MPA held its annual Reading Pairing Assembly, where Upper School students were assigned to spend time and build relationships with younger students. The buzz throughout the halls of the building was infectious as students of different grade levels read each other books, played games, or worked to create Mad Lib stories. These interactions helped to break down the traditional barriers between grade levels, allowing the older students to serve as role models and show leadership while giving the younger students a sense of belonging. Read More

Middle School Division News February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

Two Middle School students working together in science.from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars 

  • Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Friday, February 28: G3-G12 SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
  • Monday, March 3-Friday, March 7: MS i-Term
  • Tuesday, March 4: MS/US Girls Basketball Banquet, 5:30-7 PM, Family Commons
  • Friday, March 7: i-Term Showcase of Learning, 2:30-3 PM, Family Commons, Middle School Hallways and Classrooms
  • Monday, March 10-Friday, March 21: No Classes, Spring Break

Greetings, families, and happy (almost) March! We are so excited around the Middle School for our upcoming i-Term next week; you can feel the excitement in the air. Busses are ordered, bags are packed, and we’ve got museums and cemeteries around the Twin Cities waiting for our students to come and learn. With folks going as far away as New York City, Quebec City, and the Boundary Waters, and others learning here in our Makerspace and Wizarding School, we are so excited for all 12 of our courses this year. Read More

Lower School Division News February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

Lower School student working on a soap bottle person. from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Friday, February 28: G3-G12 SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
  • Thursday, March 6: LS Art Show Opening, 5:30-6 PM, Gallery, Rossbach Art Walk, Family Commons, Upper School Commons
  • Thursday, March 6: LS Music Program, 6-7 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, March 7: LS G4 Vocabulary Parade, 8-8:45 AM, Family Commons
  • Monday, March 10-Friday, March 21: No Classes, Spring Break

We’ve had a fun few weeks in the Lower School. With the weather in full swing from the icy temps of last week, our playground is now a soft and springy area with some puddles and mud. Please continue to send your child to school with boots so they can continue to enjoy playing on our wetter playground. This week’s CHAMP assembly was a blast. We celebrated Black History Month, were treated to a fabulous play on the Chinese Zodiac by our fourth graders and Ms. Heather, and welcomed a wonderful student-led and student-planned dance performance. Next week is our last before spring break, and we will host the Lower School Art and Music Show before the vacation starts. Read on for more updates!

Lower School Art and Music Show: Thursday, March 6
We are excited for our upcoming Art and Music Show, which will take place on Thursday, March 6. The Art Show will open at 5:15 PM, followed by the Music Show in the Nicholson Center at 6 PM. An important note from Mrs. Gallick and Ms. Scharfenberg: Students should dress in a black top and black pants, shorts, or skirts with shorts or leggings underneath. Their clothing should be comfortable for movement and sitting on the floor to play instruments. Athletic shoes (any color) are preferred. We look forward to seeing you at the show! Read More

Navigating an Uncertain Future: Preparing Our Students to Thrive in a Changing World

February 26, 2025

Upper School students watch on during Physics bridge testing. from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we step into 2025, we do so in a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty. The latest World Economic Forum Global Risks Report paints a sobering picture of the challenges ahead—rising geopolitical tensions, rapid technological disruptions, environmental instability, and a growing crisis of misinformation. For us as educators and parents, this begs an essential question: How do we best prepare our children not only to navigate this landscape but to flourish within it?

At MPA, we believe that preparing students for the future is not about predicting what’s to come but about equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to adapt, innovate, and lead with purpose. It is about fostering critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and confident problem solvers—young people who are ready to embrace the world rather than retreat from it.

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than truth, helping our students develop critical thinking and media literacy is one of the most important responsibilities we have. Today’s children are bombarded with information from countless sources—social media, news outlets, influencers, and AI-generated content. Learning to question, analyze, and discern fact from fiction is a fundamental skill they will need for life. Read More

Wyatt Srsen ’25 Becomes Boys Basketball All-Time Leading Scorer

February 26, 2025

Wyatt Srsen '25 and Brendan Connolly '17 pose after Wyatt's record-breaking night. Congratulations to Wyatt Srsen ’25, MPA’s new all-time leading scorer for boys basketball! Srsen passed the threshold of 1,303 during the Panthers contest versus United Christian Academy on Tuesday, February 25.

Now sitting alone at the top of the MPA boys scoring list, Wyatt took a second to reflect on what the accomplishment signifies to him.

“The scoring record means a lot to me, but it’s just a small fraction of what basketball truly means to me and how it has shaped me as both a player and a leader,” Wyatt said. “It stands as a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in over the past four years. I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, teammates, and coaches.”

Read More

Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Co-op Takes On State

February 25, 2025

The 2024-2025 Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics team. Ending a strong season, the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics team took third place at the Class AA state team competition, held on Friday, February 21, at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul! The team scored 146.25 to earn the bronze medal, just behind state champion Owatonna and runner-up New Prague.

The team wasn’t done there, however, as the following night saw Delaney Cunnington ’25 claim some individual hardware of her own! To cap off her high school career, Delaney’s busy day during the state individual competition was highlighted by a runner-up spot for her floor routine that netted her a score of 9.575!

Delaney’s day, once it was all said and done, contained a fourth-place finish on the beam (9.35), a fifth-place spot for vault (9.525), and 31st on the uneven bars (8.65). The combined scores pushed Delaney to a total of 37.15, good enough for fourth in all-around!

We are beyond proud of the showings turned in by Delaney and the rest of the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha co-op! The high-level performance of the team matched the representation by the athletes for their respective schools.