Blog Archives

October 24, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 26 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

Fall is full of events at MPA, both for students and their families. Through opportunities ranging from volunteering and conferences to discussions on screentime and the election, we love to be in touch with MPA parents and value open, transparent communication to support one another.

Another important step we take in the fall is surveying families who are new to MPA. With a deep commitment to continuous improvement, we want to better understand their experiences with the admission and onboarding processes. Our goal is always to offer the best experience possible, and receiving feedback is essential to doing just that.

With that in mind, we wanted to share some of the noteworthy comments we recently received from surveying our new families:

“We were seeking out a space the was more inclusive than the average private school. Mounds Park Academy has absolutely checked all boxes when it comes to quality education, inclusiveness and a sense of belonging.”
“Our child has had a great transition and we can see a huge difference in her at home when it comes to wanting to attend school and feeling a sense of belonging.
“MPA has been AMAZING at facilitating his transition. We continue to be so impressed with MPAs communication, and found the ‘buddy’ connection particularly helpful.”
“While dissatisfaction with our previous school definitely played a part in our decision-making process, it was the overall reputation of MPA that made it an obvious choice for us. We toured all of the top tier private schools, looked at charter schools with excellent ratings, and also considered moving into a better public school district. When we first toured MPA, we absolutely fell in love. It is such a warm and welcoming environment. When it came time for us to get applications out, we had planned to apply to several schools, but in the end put all of our eggs into the MPA basket. We decided if we didn’t get in this year, we would try again and again. We feel so blessed to be a part of the community!”

No Matter Where You Are In The Process

October 15, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 16 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

No matter where you are in the exploration process, the perfect opportunity to discover what life is like at MPA is the MPA Preview on Sunday, November 3 at 12:30 PM. This is the ideal opportunity for your family to learn why you belong here.

From the moment you step onto campus and meet our vibrant community, you’ll experience firsthand the warm, dynamic learning environment that shapes our students’ lives. The Preview allows you to explore the diverse programs and innovative teaching methods that define the MPA experience. You’ll not only gain insight into our curriculum, but also connect with the passionate faculty and welcoming community members who make up the fabric of our school. Read More

Experience The #2 Private School In Minnesota

October 2, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 2 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

Last week, the Niche.com rankings were released, and we are delighted to announce that MPA is the #2 ranked private school in Minnesota! We are so grateful for our community of dedicated faculty, families, alumni, and friends–the heart of what makes our school a wonderful place to learn and grow.

A day in the life at the #2 ranked private school looks and feels like so many different things–that’s the gift of an individualized approach for every child. Recently it has looked like student clubs teaming up to lead a voter registration drive, learning firsthand in the field with a melittologist, competing and cheering our Panther hearts out during Homecoming games and matches, and also celebrating all week long. And that’s just a glimpse at the end of September!

At MPA, we believe in learning by doing–that the best way to understand something is to be immersed in it. To really experience what a day of learning at MPA is like, we invite you to RSVP below for the PreK-12 MPA Preview on November 3. Not only will you have the chance to sit it on lessons taught by our expert faculty, but you’ll also feel the warmth of our welcoming, inclusive community through a variety of perspectives, conversations, and opportunities to ask your own questions about MPA. At the Preview, you’ll discover something remarkable and gain a much better understanding of life at MPA.

RSVP Today

How We Learn

The Admission Process

MPA’s Competency-based Approach

September 23, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the September 21 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

At MPA, we embrace a competency-based approach to education that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and ensures that each student not only acquires essential knowledge but also develops the skills and dispositions necessary for lifelong success. Competencies are far more than academic benchmarks—at MPA, they encompass critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and emotional intelligence, all crucial for thriving in today’s world.

Our nine competencies were thoughtfully developed by blending MPA’s core values with a research-backed understanding of what students need to succeed in today’s world—and tomorrow’s. These competencies and their associated skills shape projects and tasks as well as the design of assessments. They help us focus on not just what students know, but what they can do. Crucial core content and disciplinary skills are integrated with cross-cutting competency skills, helping students take ownership of their learning while developing skills that colleges, employers, and researchers agree are necessary for living successful, fulfilling lives. Read More

The Role Of Liberal Arts In 21st Century Learning

September 5, 2024

A liberal arts education is one of the many benefits of a private school. But looking deeper, the philosophy behind it reveals why a liberal arts education is so important in our technology-driven world. Education is more dynamic and multifaceted than ever, responding to the demands of a rapidly evolving global landscape. Amidst this transformation, the advantage of liberal arts education stands out as both timeless and increasingly relevant. Traditionally associated with studying subjects such as humanities, literature, philosophy, history, and the arts, liberal arts education emphasizes a broad-based approach to learning that fosters critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical reasoning.

Who Benefits From Liberal Arts Education?

Students, schools, and society all benefit from liberal arts education. At every grade level, from kindergarten to middle to high school, liberal arts grow and prepare students to be global citizens. A balanced curriculum that coincides with a whole-child approach to teaching, rigor with purpose, character education, and differentiation results not only in a love for learning but in critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that are valuable in every profession and field. Such a broad and deep content knowledge base will prepare students to adapt to various careers and future changes in the job market. Read More

Back To School With Joy

August 27, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the August 27, 2024 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

At MPA, the start of the new school year brings:

The honor of welcoming more than 100 new students to MPA, where we will see them explore their passions, join new clubs, try new sports, challenge themselves academically, and grow into dreamers and doers.
A rare opportunity to hit the “restart” button. While there are many familiar faces and comfort in a predictable schedule, they are coupled with new opportunities, relationships, classes, and discoveries are waiting to be tapped into for the new school year.
Celebrating growth and changes and finding the subtle changes in something familiar. There is so much joy in welcoming the community back, but everybody is a little different from the last time you saw them.
An unforgettable first day for students and parents. At MPA, the first day brings happiness in seeing friends and teachers, the anticipation of an amazing year ahead, and the comfort of knowing you are celebrated for the person you are.

While each student, parent, teacher, and community member experiences the first day of school in their own unique way, a shared sense of hope, wonder, and anticipation for what’s to come brings us all together. And as we look ahead, the Office of Admission is preparing for midyear and fall 2025 applications. Admission and Indexed Tuition applications will open on September 15! Read More

Reflections From Parents Of The MPA Class Of 2024 Lifers

July 12, 2024

Parents of Lifers are those who chose MPA for their children every year for all 13 years of their education. Right before they graduated from MPA, we interviewed the Class of 2024 Lifers in a group reflection on their MPA journeys. After hearing their touching reflections, filled with gratitude for MPA, advice, and optimism for the future, led us to further expand on the conversation to their parents.

How has MPA’s community supported and shaped your child?

Lisa (Nora ’24): For my kids, I think the opportunity to do a substantial amount of fine arts. They both played in instrumental groups as well as choirs. Athletics has been just a great opportunity–one child did three sports and the other did two.

Katie (Ben ’24): It’s being able to do everything. I felt a fair amount of pressure in high school–which happened to be public high school–and I thought I got a really fabulous education, but I had to do more picking. It was kind of like, “Well, you’re either devoted to this program or you’re going to be devoted to this program.” And I feel like Ben has gotten an opportunity to do a lot of different things. There’s flexibility and a willingness, too. That’s helped make him more well-rounded. In other places, he would’ve dropped off some of these things and really lost out on what is going to end up being life-changing, and now things that I would’ve never imagined him continuing to do in college, he’s going to try to continue to do in college.

Mike (Molly ’24): Being a younger sibling and the kid of an employee, Molly doesn’t remember ever not coming here. She was carried here certainly before she was walking. In her particular case, the community shaped her even in all the time she wasn’t yet a student here. It’s the place where she was always known and looked out for. We’ll take a lot of what happened outside the classroom as much as anything would happen inside.

Mark (Hunter ’24): I think the size. Hunter had the opportunity to do pretty much whatever he wanted and it was good to know that people are always looking out and saying, “Keep moving forward,” because I know kids can get lost in the shuffle.

Jeremy (Jay ’24): Jay’s been able to do so many things. A lead in a play, choir, jazz band, and multiple sports. I always tell him being able to be a big fish in a little pond sometimes is a good thing, because you get to be able to try everything. That has been very special here, those opportunities.

Kristi (Jay ’24): The opportunities he’s had across the board. I don’t think he would’ve been in a school play if he was at a different school. And selfishly, I already knew that there were outstanding teachers here–some of them that I had!–so I knew from the get-go what he was getting into and how it was going to help him flourish in school, because I feel like that’s a huge piece too–knowing how supportive and invested all these outstanding teachers are. Read More

Reflections From The MPA Class Of 2024 Lifers

May 20, 2024

Near the end of their final year at MPA, we had the honor of interviewing many of the MPA Class of 2024 Lifers about their time at MPA, the only school they’ve been at for their entire academic career. A group of dedicated athletes, talented musical artists, Peer Leaders, and proud self-proclaimed robotics “nerds,” each of them shared memories and reflections of MPA past and present, looking toward the future well prepared by MPA. Devneet Biring, Jay Green, Greta Hanson, Sylvia Hawley, Micah Hudock, Khushi Jain, Else Kunze-Hoeg, Logan Miller, Ben Murr, Nora Pederson, Hunter Scheible, David Steinberger, and Molly Vergin will graduate on June 8 and join MPA’s Joanne Olson Club, reserved for students whose entire K-12 or PreK-12 journey has taken place here at MPA.

Choosing a school for 13 years means you’re growing up within a strong community that ensures every child here is known. So we asked: How has MPA’s community supported and shaped you over the years?

Jay: Everything I do pretty much revolves around sports, so what’s been really helpful for me is the community. If I’m in the hallway and I see a parent or a teacher, they always ask me how my game was, and that’s something that I really have enjoyed in my time here because it makes me feel seen. That was very consistent from even when I was in kindergarten, just playing in gym class versus now, when I play three sports at a time. That’s something that’s shaped me into a better person. I think now my focus is trying to give that same opportunity to the younger kids that I see and am coaching. I think the community does a very good job of supporting everyone in it. From my perspective, I feel like I’ve been very well-supported by pretty much everyone around me.

Khushi: I agree with that. Being both a tennis athlete and a nerd in robotics has pushed me to do more of what I love. Through tennis, I’ve learned more about myself, about mental health, and other things. Through robotics, I’ve learned how to be a leader, how to speak up, and how to get the team together. Through all these different clubs and activities that MPA has, I’ve learned different skills from each.

Micah: There are a lot of people who have a lot of different interests in a lot of areas. Everyone’s kind of encouraged to do their own thing and have their own interests, and no one is trying to fit into a category. Everyone’s cool to do whatever they want.

Ben: Elaborating on that, I’ve really enjoyed being able to know my class. To actually know people—having a small, very close-knit group—has really helped us understand each other on a deeper level than just, “There’s a person from my class in the hallway.” I find that nice.

Nora: I like how integrated everybody is, whether in sports or other things. For example, in basketball, we did this kid’s camp with the boys’ and girls’ teams where we got to work with Lower and Middle School students, so now when I see them in the hallway I can say hi. And with different classes like choir and orchestra, you get to know people in all grades. With track, since it’s a co-ed sport, I get to talk and know people that I wouldn’t normally. It’s just interesting knowing more than one grade.

Sylvia: The relationships we’re able to build are pretty unique to this school because of the small class sizes. Throughout all my years here, I think all the teachers really make an effort to build a relationship outside of the classroom, to know you on a more personal level. That has allowed me to feel comfortable sharing non-class material with them and getting to know them as people. I think that has shaped my love for learning but also made me want to do more. Read More

Community Meets Experiential Learning

April 11, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the April 11, 2024 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

Earlier this week, we celebrated the solar eclipse with a day of cross-divisional activities, STEM education, and a community-wide viewing. Upper School students transformed the Family Commons into a space laboratory and spent the morning leading Lower School students through experiential activities that explained the science behind the eclipse and why it was such a phenomenon. Students rotated from station to station where they were taught the physics of the eclipse, experimented with black lights and photons, demonstrated the movements of planets, and practiced safe viewing with their eclipse glasses. They were over the moon, pun intended, to learn from their older peers who engaged with them in a way that defines our PreK-12 school.

The sense of community here not only creates a safe, inclusive environment for our students and their families–it extends to supporting lifelong learners on their journey of a joyful education. The laughter echoing through the Family Commons was heard throughout the school, and the look of pure awe on our littlest Panthers’ faces was not just for the phenomenon in the sky; they were looking up at the leaders of the student body, and at their own future at MPA. One day, perhaps for the next eclipse years from now, they will be the Upper School students leading the way and providing new Lower Schoolers with these memorable moments at school.

Even though we couldn’t see the eclipse through cloudy skies, what we did see was a PreK-12 community, gathered in joyful excitement to learn and be together.

Introducing The Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning

April 4, 2024

from Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, 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.

From an early age, I loved stories. I would make them up for myself at playtime. When I began to devour them in books, I couldn’t put them down, and when I started to write down the fantastical comings and goings of my active mind, I never wanted to stop. As I’ve gotten older, had children, and experienced the highs and lows that life offers, I’ve continued to go back to the stories that have opened my eyes, inspired my heart, and made me think. As a fundraiser, I witness the power of our personal and collective stories every day when:

I hear from an alum that their appreciation for MPA grows the more they experience in life;
I hear from parents about their journey to MPA and their hopes and dreams for what it can offer their children; and
I hear the joys and wishes of our faculty and staff as we dream about continuing to do right by our mission and the children in our care.

When I first came to MPA, my own story unfolded: someone not from Minnesota who had never experienced the independent school world and a fundraiser who had always wanted to be thoughtful about how I approached my work. Throughout my career, I have witnessed that if we dream big, tell stories, and stay true to our mission, we will once again spark the beautiful generosity of our community. I’ve now had six years of seeing that generosity come to life at MPA in so many ways: our incredible Family Commons and Martin Lenz Harrison Library, new tools and technology for students, a renovated outdoor track, new scholarship opportunities, COVID crisis funding, underwriting our diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, an innovation fund for teachers, and now, the Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning. Throughout it all, I have talked with hundreds of community supporters and heard and shared stories of our collective impact through these funds.