Lower School

The Right School Fit

March 19, 2025

Two middle schoolers working together and laughingThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 22 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

As parents ourselves, we realize that a child’s educational journey only happens once, and that the goal is to find a place where they will love learning, be challenged, feel supported, and continue to be inspired.

We also understand that choosing the right private school fit for your family is a big decision. You’re balancing the importance of finding a community that aligns with your family’s values, a school’s academic and educational approach, the opportunities and offerings, and the overall feelings you have.

The “right school” will mean something different for every family. But above all, your children should feel seen, supported, and empowered at school. Whether it’s through experiential learning or myriad extracurricular opportunities, a warm, inclusive community or a small class size, a school’s culture has a significant role in shaping your child’s confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging. You’re considering all of these things to ensure your child finds a school community where they will truly thrive.

As you and your family navigate the school selection process, we encourage you to explore our blog post, “Ten Things To Consider When Choosing A Private School.” Through insights from our current community members, this article will help you explore the cultural, communal, and pedagogical aspects that matter most when choosing a private school.

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MPA Host Families Needed!

March 7, 2025

A MPA host family. We are so fortunate to welcome international students from around the world to MPA through our International Student Program. A $10,200 per student stipend is paid to host families to cover the cost of room, board, and transportation from August to June. Typically, families host for at least one full year and sometimes for a student’s entire MPA experience. As you warmly welcome this student into your home, you will gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, a lifelong relationship with your students, and so much more.

If you are interested …
Contact Cory Becker-Kim, international student program director, at international@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5541. Get started on the host family application form here.

If you know someone outside our community who is interested …
Please share mpa.link/host with them. When they reach out, share your name, and become an approved host family, you will receive a $200 referral bonus in the form of a Visa gift card.

Thank you in advance for your interest and/or for recommending this opportunity to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Register For MPA Summer Sports Camps!

March 6, 2025

Lower School student playing basketballRegistration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps! Check out our offerings below:

  • Panther Soccer Camp: June 9-12, 9-11:30 AM
    Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend!
  • Panther Basketball Camp: June 9-12, 12:30-3 PM 
    MPA’s basketball coach, Chris Hopkins, will run these basketball camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
  • Panther P.E. Summer Camp: June 16-19, 9-11 AM for kindergarten-second grade, 1-3 PM for third through sixth grade
    Panther P.E. Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite P.E. activities and games.

Register for all of these incredible offerings and see what other offerings we’ll have this summer by clicking here!

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

The Joy Of Being A PreK-12 Family

March 5, 2025

Student performers at Remember The TimeThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 9 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

To close out the month of February, we gathered together in the Family Commons for “Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase.” The event was a wonderful reflection of connections forged between students of all ages–a distinctly PreK-12 experience.

Ahead of the event, students were immersed in research, combining prior knowledge with new findings and growing their appreciation and understanding. Older students mentored younger ones, guiding them through these discoveries, while they brought fresh perspectives that reminded us all of the joy in curiosity.

Then, the evening opened with a gallery-style viewing of student work displayed throughout campus. In Lower School, a model of the historic Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans and Basquiat-inspired artwork. In Middle School, educational videos describing biographies of influential inventors, scholars, activists, and artists. In Upper School, the halls were lined with a timeline of Black History in America. And so much more. 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

“A Remarkable Community”

February 26, 2025

Middle school students talking together in classroomThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the February 26 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

“MPA is a remarkable community filled with love, compassion, and a genuine interest in the well-being of not only the students but the entire family. While the facilities and academics are extremely impressive, the MPA experience extends far beyond the classrooms. From hallway smiles and community events to check-in emails and sincere gratitude, it’s an environment unlike any I’ve seen. We will be forever grateful our family was welcomed into the MPA family.” –MPA parent review on Niche.com.

Hearing stories like this never fails to make our day. Though this parent’s words are personal, their experience is not singular. Anyone at MPA will tell you that one of the best parts of our school is the joyful, welcoming, family feel. In fact, community, not just a school, is what so many of our students and families come to MPA looking for. Read More

One Teacher, One Conversation, One Opportunity

February 20, 2025

MPA student Wyatt Srsen '25 working on art. 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

Welcome To MPA, Dr. Robert Perez!

February 20, 2025

MPA's new CFOO, Robert PerezWelcome to MPA, Dr. Robert Perez! Dr. Perez will hold the position of chief finance and operations officer, and we are thrilled to introduce him to the community. 

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from Minnesota State Colleges and Universities: Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
Serving student needs and advancing education have been my primary goals throughout my educational and professional career. I attended California State University, Dominguez Hills, where I obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business/Public Administration and a Master’s of Public Administration concentrating in Non-Profit Management. I obtained my doctoral degree in Education from Saint Cloud State University, focusing on Administration. I consider my professional experience as being hands-on, gaining experience in various roles in auxiliary services, business affairs and fiscal services. Most recently, I served as vice president and chief financial officer at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
From the moment I set foot on campus at MPA, I felt at home. As I toured the campus and met with administrators, the passion for developing students as dreamers and doers was evident. MPA’s commitment to academic rigor, experiential learning, mutual respect, meaningful service, technology, and emphasis on arts and athletics played a key role in my decision to join MPA. Lastly, MPA’s exceptional faculty and staff and their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion align with my values.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
My lasting impact would be to play a key role in building upon MPA’s strengths. In my role in particular, I would like to enhance the customer service experience while building an even stronger financial foundation that promotes enduring stability and growth where and when the MPA community feels appropriate. An enduring “reinvestment in our students and the campus” would be my ultimate goal.
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