Head’s Message

February 26, 2025

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

February 20, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Delivering a senior performance is a graduation requirement at MPA that I treasure. Each one is unique, thoughtful, and deeply personal. While this tradition is a valuable exercise in public speaking, it is, more importantly, a pivotal opportunity for self-reflection. Throughout their preparations, students confront their own growth, challenges, and transformations, fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness and often realizing how much they have changed along the way.

Senior performances don’t just impact the students delivering them—they resonate throughout the entire community. They strengthen school culture by reinforcing values, traditions, and a sense of belonging. They inspire younger students by putting growth, confidence, and resilience on full display. They foster empathy and compassion as teachers, peers, leaders, and families gain a deeper understanding of each student’s unique experiences and perspectives. They also serve as reminders that growth is often uncomfortable and that meaningful change happens when students are held to high standards in a supportive environment. I try to attend every senior performance, and one delivered recently by Wyatt Srsen ’25 profoundly illustrates the journey of self-discovery and transformation that can happen in a positive school community.

With his permission, I am sharing his performance, in its entirety, below. Spoiler alert: grab a tissue!

Growing up, I was a persistent student who found school simple and straightforward. Elementary school came and went without a challenge, and then came middle school, which was more of the same. Despite a few hiccups here and there, middle school passed me by quickly and without any real problems. I had an abundance of friends and good grades, and I never struggled in school. This was all true until COVID-19 hit. I lost connections with friends; my grades struggled more than ever as I struggled to find motivation while being stuck at home with no real human interaction. Seeing this, my parents decided it was time for a change. The public school system wasn’t supportive or challenging, so they thought that private school was the best route for me to become a better student. Despite my efforts to stay with my friends and continue on the same education path, my family ended up deciding that Mounds Park Academy was the place for me. Read More

February 13, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Over my 30+ years in education, I’ve been called many things, some of which I can’t repeat here. Most often, I’ve been called naïve or an optimist, most of the time meant as a criticism. Truth be told, I’d rather be naïve than a cynic, believing people are generally selfish and untrustworthy. I’d rather be an optimist rather than have a negative outlook on life and expect the worst from people and from life.

After reading “Hope for Cynics” by Jamil Zaki, Stanford University professor and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, I can now proudly say I am a hopeful skeptic. A hopeful skeptic is someone who balances optimism with critical thinking. They are open to possibilities and potential but also approach claims, ideas, and situations with a questioning mindset. This person is not cynical or dismissive but instead seeks evidence, logic, and reason while maintaining a belief in positive outcomes.

Zaki writes about a test by psychologists Walter Cook and Donald Medley devised to identify good teachers. They asked hundreds of teachers whether they agreed with these three questions (and 47 others):

1. No one cares much what happens to you.
2. Most people dislike helping others.
3. Most people are honest chiefly through fear of getting caught.

According to Cook and Medley’s research, the more a teacher agreed with these statements, the worse their rapport with students. Out of curiosity, but knowing the probable outcome, I did a snap poll of MPA teachers. The vast majority disagreed with all three statements with a small handful agreeing with only one. It didn’t surprise me that 97% of our teachers are low or low-medium in cynicism. Read More

February 6, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Our values endure. Our resolve is unshakable.

Transitions, whether personal, institutional, or societal, bring both challenge and opportunity. They disrupt routines and ask us to think critically, act courageously, and reaffirm what truly matters. In moments of change—whether in our school, our communities, or on a global scale—we are called to return to our values and remain steadfast. At Mounds Park Academy, we want to be clear: our commitment to our mission and values is unwavering.

MPA is, and will always be, a place where students, families, and educators feel seen, valued, and supported. We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, just, and equitable environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Our mission calls us to nurture critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged citizens who have the courage to shape a better world. That mission remains steadfast.

In the recent community survey, MPA students consistently highlighted the welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment. They report strong bonds between the students, teachers, and staff, noting that the result is a close-knit, respectful culture. One student wrote, “I think the school is really good at making sure that every student feels valued and important and in accepting each person’s different situations and how that can affect their learning or experience. People here are very understanding and friendly and create an environment where you don’t feel scared to speak up.” Read More

January 9, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we approach the midpoint of this academic year, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for entrusting us with your child’s education. Returning to school after a long break can be tough for anyone, especially our students, but it was wonderful to see the excitement and joy on the faces of our students on Monday. The privilege of partnering with you to nurture, challenge, and inspire your children is one that I cherish deeply. Today, I invite you to reflect on the extraordinary value of a Mounds Park Academy education and the enduring impact it has on our students, families, and community.

Although we are in the depth of winter, we are already hard at work planning for the 2025-2026 school year. Our outstanding admission team is hard at work fielding inquiries from prospective families and guiding them toward enrollment. In just a few weeks, we will begin the re-enrollment process for returning families. At their January 27 meeting, the MPA Board of Trustees will approve a preliminary budget for the upcoming school year by setting tuition and determining compensation for faculty and staff. This is a challenging task because the decision is made on an enrollment forecast of both new and returning students. However, it is important for parents and guardians to know tuition before re-enrolling, which allows the school to offer work agreements to teachers before spring break. Read More

December 19, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As I was greeting parents last Thursday before our Middle School band, orchestra, and vocal concert, Middle School science teacher Courtney Nagle excitedly invited me to see the lights her students had strung in the science garden. It was magical. As darkness descends earlier and earlier and the weather turns increasingly dreary and colder, light, in all its beauty and forms, is both a comfort and a promise.

As we embark on our two-week winter break, we are reminded of the power and symbolism of light during this season. Across many traditions—Christian, Jewish, Kwanzaa, Hindu, Wiccan, and Muslim—light serves as a unifying symbol of hope, renewal, and joy. Whether through the glowing candles of Advent, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, the luminous diyas of Diwali, or the guiding light of understanding and reflection in other spiritual practices, light brings warmth and connection to our shared humanity.

At Mounds Park Academy, light takes on a unique meaning. It reflects our mission as educators and our commitment to lighting a fire within each student. This metaphor captures the very heart of education—not as the passive transfer of information, but as a force that ignites curiosity, inspires passion, and nurtures a love of learning that endures for a lifetime. Read More