Middle School Archives

October 30, 2025

We are pleased to share that Pam Gronski will be joining us starting on Monday, November 3, as MPA’s first manager of campus safety and security. This role will be responsible for ensuring a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for students, faculty, staff, families, and visitors across all campus facilities and events.

The manager will work collaboratively with school leadership, local law enforcement, and emergency services to maintain best practices in school safety and crisis response. Please read more about Pam and her background below!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked previously for the St. Louis Park Police Department.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I am a recently retired police officer of 23 years. Twelve of those years, I served as a school resource officer. During my time, I also served as a crisis negotiator, peer support member, field training officer, reserve coordinator, and bike patrol member.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
The overwhelming sense of community and the numerous educational and extracurricular opportunities offered to the students.

A Fantastic Way To Explore MPA

October 27, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 27, 2025 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

No matter where you are in your school search, a fantastic way to explore MPA is the PreK-12 MPA Preview on Sunday, November 9, at 12:30 PM and the Taste of Ninth Grade that precedes it for prospective ninth-grade families at 11 AM. These engaging events invite your whole family to see why you belong here.

From the moment you step onto campus, you’ll experience the warm, dynamic learning environment that our students thrive in. The Preview also allows you to explore the diverse programs and innovative teaching methods that define the MPA experience. Step into the Makerspace for a world of hands-on exploration, reach new heights on the climbing wall, immerse yourself in cultural celebrations from Latin America, and so much more; explore all of the MPA Preview Experiences here. You’ll not only gain insight into our curriculum, but also connect with the passionate faculty who make MPA so special. Read More

Deep And Meaningful Connections

October 23, 2025

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

As I reflect on the past two weeks, the theme that stands out most to me is connection. The foundation of Mounds Park Academy’s community rests on the deep and meaningful connections developed among our students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Last Monday, before taking a deep dive into our ISACS work for MPA’s upcoming re-accreditation, most of our faculty and staff spent several hours in the Manitou Forest. This time was dedicated to appreciating the opportunity to be outdoors, where we could connect with nature and each other. The results of our time together were seen in the smiles, heard in the songs faculty and staff sang as they walked the leaf-covered paths, and felt in the warm sunshine and crisp air. The experience filled everyone with cheer and levity.

The week continued with an incredible Grandparents and Special Friends Day, where classrooms and hallways were filled with students beaming with pride as they shared MPA with their loved ones, further deepening the connection between their school and home lives. Read More

A Closer Look At The PreK-12 MPA Preview Experiences

October 14, 2025

The PreK-12 MPA Preview on November 9, 12:30-2 PM, is a signature PreK-12 event designed to introduce prospective families to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community it is. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, engage in conversation with academic leaders, participate in experiences led by expert teachers, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way.

Explore the MPA experiences to plan your day!

Lower School Homeroom Teacher Meet & Connect
Recommended for Lower School
Meet our Lower School teachers! Stop into the homeroom of the grade(s) you’re exploring to meet, connect, and ask any questions you may have for our faculty.

Reach New Heights On The MPA Climbing Wall
Open to all ages PreK-12
Belay on! The MPA climbing wall is open to all skill levels and ages. With MPA physical education teachers as your guides, you’ll receive tips and support to reach new heights. Read More

Middle School Division News October 9, 2025

October 9, 2025

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Greetings and happy fall! As student routines and habits of mind continue to be cultivated, I feel as though we are finding the flow of the school year. Our flex block is fully up and running, offering students alternating days of extra-help with their teachers and nearly 20 clubs and activities to be involved with, from reading and coding clubs to new student-led gymnastics and D&D clubs. And, we are developing critical organization and executive function skills as students learn to optimize the use of their planner and how to balance school work with athletics and other outside commitments.

As we look ahead, there are a few busy weeks between us and the end of quarter one on October 31. I hope to see a lot of you here for our fall conferences on Thursday and Friday this week. Next Monday, October 13, will be no classes for students as faculty will have a professional development day; and on Wednesday, October 15, we will host our annual Grandparents and Special Friends Day. All will be off for our Fall Break on October 16 and 17. Heading into the following week, our eighth graders will take their orientation trip up to Wolf Ridge from October 22-24. And the last week of October brings our sixth-grade trip to Eagle Bluff from October 29-31.

I also want to put another important date on your October calendars (Tuesday, October 21, 1:45-3 PM) as we will kick off our Students and Screens community discussion series this year with Dr. James Densley. Please see more information below about Dr. Densley’s session on “Navigating the Dark Side of the Internet.” Read More

Discover The #2 Private School In MN

October 8, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the October 8, 2025 issue of InsideMPA. 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! Celebrating this achievement honors our community of dedicated faculty, supportive families, engaged alumni, and curious, joyful students–an essential part of what makes MPA such a special place to learn and grow.

Being recognized as one of the top schools in the state is about more than test scores–it’s about the unique, joyful learning that students experience at MPA every day. Here, they are encouraged to think critically, act with empathy, and embrace challenges with creativity and confidence. Our holistic approach to education fosters not just academic excellence, but also the social and emotional growth that prepares students to thrive in school and in life. Read More

MPA’s Renee Sonka Honored As AEM Educator Of The Year

October 8, 2025

It had been a handful of months since Mounds Park Academy Middle and Upper School visual arts teacher Renee Sonka learned that she had been nominated for a prestigious honor—Art Educator of the Year.

“I received an email in July from the Art Educators of Minnesota saying I had been nominated (for Art Educator of the Year), and that I would need to submit a variety of application materials to be considered,” said Ms. Sonka. “So, I updated my resume for the first time in a LONG time—it is currently my 28th year at MPA—and I threw my hat in the ring.”

The venture to update her resume was worthwhile, resulting in Ms. Sonka’s selection as Art Educator of the Year at the Middle School Level. An educator at both the Upper and Middle School levels, Ms. Sonka, thrilled to be selected, thought the split might hamper rather than help.

“Since the award is specific to Middle School art, I thought the panel of judges might prefer a candidate who has specialized in Middle School only,” she said. “Now, I’m realizing the combination of my Middle School and Upper School teaching experience may have been to my advantage, perhaps showing breadth and versatility in my teaching.”

Growing Global Citizens

September 26, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the September 27, 2025 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

MPA nurtures dreamers, doers, and right-makers with academic knowledge that will propel them forward as change agents in the world. Our students embrace the responsibility of being global citizens by advocating for social justice, caring for the welfare of others, and promoting human equality, among other pillars rooted in respect.

“Right-making is a seed that is planted in each student and cultivated as they journey through MPA. Not only do we teach character traits like inclusiveness and integrity, we promote a do-right attitude through our actions and words while we learn and grow together. This inspires us to dream big and impact others positively at home and in the world,” Kristine Petersen, MPA Kindergarten teacher, says about global citizenship. Read More

RSVP To Experience MPA On November 9

September 26, 2025

Discover something remarkable at the PreK-12 MPA Preview on Sunday, November 9, 12:30-2 PM!

MPA Previews are signature PreK-12 events designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. These events are for family members of all ages to attend together.

You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, be engaged in conversation with academic leaders, participate in experiences led by expert teachers, explore our signature spaces, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way.

The Taste Of Ninth Grade

Prospective ninth graders, you’re invited to the Taste of Ninth Grade immediately preceding the Preview at 11 AM. Join us for lunch and the opportunity to learn more about MPA’s ninth-grade program. Students will engage in a hands-on, collaborative activity while parents participate in a Q&A about life in MPA’s Upper School. When this event concludes, students and families will then join the PreK-12 Preview event.

RSVP today to experience the joy and discover why Mounds Park Academy is an exceptional place to learn and grow.

School Spirit Is Everywhere

September 25, 2025

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

On Monday morning, I made my usual right turn from Beebe Road onto the school grounds. Seeing “We. Are. MPA.,” not only brought a smile to my face but also evoked an incredible sense of school pride. I must admit, I was caught by surprise. As a new member of the MPA community, it’s a magical experience to feel school spirit. In so many ways it felt like I was arriving home.

I do not take school spirit for granted. It doesn’t magically appear. Rather, school spirit is the energy that grows from the pride, traditions, and shared experiences left in the form of memories and artifacts from years past, and the voices and actions of those who currently move throughout the campus.

I frequently turn to my Responsive Classroom training and seek to define experiences and goals by asking: What does it look like, sound like, and feel like?

This week, school spirit looks like our students wearing themed clothing and hallways decorated with streamers and colorful posters throughout the building. School spirit sounds like our teams clapping and cheering for our Lower and Middle School students during arrival and standing in the hallway, eagerly planning for an upcoming debate tournament. School spirit feels like the surge of warmth that fills my cheeks with joy when I see students across divisions learning a school chant or reading books—together. And it’s not exclusively created by our students. I see it in the ways our faculty and staff create spaces that foster curiosity. I hear it when a family member says “I love you” to their student at the classroom door. I feel it when someone takes a minute to share with me a special moment they had learning from their colleague. Read More