Welcome To MPA, Ms. Emily Kang!

Emily Kang and her family. Welcome to MPA, Ms. Emily Kang! Ms. Kang will take over as the part-time school nurse, pairing with Ms. Deb Stone, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
For the past 10 years, I’ve been at home with our kids.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I worked as a (primarily) pediatric CRNA at M Health Fairview and as a NICU nurse.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I graduated from MPA in 1996 and attended K-12 here. Now, two of our four children are enrolled—one in fourth grade and another in first grade. MPA was like a second home to me, so when the opportunity arose, I volunteered to fill a need. Now, I’m proud to be on staff as an RN in the health office, helping serve the community. We are deeply grateful for the incredible educators here who spend so much time with our children and work alongside us daily to help shape them into kind, strong humans.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I hope to support the students and staff so that educators can focus on teaching and students can engage in joyful learning.
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Five Things To Know About MPA From Robin H.

Robin working on a project in the MakerspaceHave you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Middle School student at MPA? Let Robin walk you through the top five things he thinks everyone should know about MPA, from his perspective as a seventh-grader!

1. MPA has an amazing theatre program.

Every year, there are many wonderful drama performances and I have participated in them. These performances are not only fun but also a great learning experience. During the last performance, I worked as a lighting technician and the teacher taught us a lot of useful skills. The whole process of performing was really enjoyable!

2. MPA’S robotics team is excellent.

Middle School students participate in the FTC robotics competition, while Upper School students compete in the FRC robotics competition. Our teams have achieved great results in these competitions. I love exploring, designing, and building robots with my teammates. It’s a fantastic experience of collaboration and innovation!

3. We have all-school assemblies.

My favorite MPA school-wide event is SnoDaze! One of the most fun activities during the assembly is when students got to slap whipped cream on teachers’ faces. It’s always hilarious and so much fun! This is one of the events I look forward to the most every year! Read More


Welcome To MPA, Ms. Deb Stone!

Nurse Deb StoneWelcome to MPA, Ms. Deb Stone! Nurse Deb will be the part-time school nurse, pairing with Ms. Emily Kang, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I was the school nurse at Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley for the last three years.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a BA in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA appealed to me because of the student population, PreK-12. I really enjoy working with students of all ages, and I missed working at my last school, which was only 11-12.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
As a school nurse, I see my role as a support person to support all students and staff so the students can be as successful as they can be on their education journey here at MPA. In addition to supporting students with their health needs, I also strive to create a peaceful environment in the health office where everyone feels welcome and safe.
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Welcome Home, International Students!

International student with friends in the courtyardLast week, we hosted a live event with FindingSchools to give international students and families an inside look at MPA, including a virtual tour, international student college matriculation, and more. View the event recording here! Please note that this event is recorded in English and Chinese, but our FindingSchools profile can also be viewed in Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese.

MPA’s International Student Program is comprehensive and student-centered, allowing our International Student Program director and our faculty and staff to best support our international students in all aspects of their academic and personal lives. Our international students are able to fully experience American culture and live with their host families while having a nurturing and supportive academic experience. Read More


MPA Alpine, Nordic Skiers Compete At State!

The MPA Nordic ski team and its third-place finish plaque at state. Congratulations to the MPA boys Nordic ski team, which took third place as a team during the state meet held at Giants Ridge!

The Panthers were led by Eddie Snider ’25, who paced the pack with a third-place finish in the boys pursuit. Eddie was followed by Eli Andre ’26 (17th), Soren Winikoff ’26 (20th), Max Francois ’28 (104th), and Brennen Schertz ’25 (109th). Ansel Streier ’26 and Carter Short ’27 combined to take 16th in the team sprint.

Representing the girls side of the team, Megan Snider ’27 took home 33rd.

We are so incredibly proud of our Panthers! Earning the placement was a true team effort, reflected in the countless hours and hard work dedicated to the sport. Read More


Join Us For Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase

A cultural celebration in the Family Commons. Join us for Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase as we come together as a community to celebrate Black history, culture, and contributions in a powerful and engaging way on Thursday, February 27, from 4:30-6:30 PM in the Family Commons! Throughout February, students across all divisions will explore themes of fun facts (Lower School), innovations (Middle School), and legacy (Upper School), leading up to an incredible school-wide presentation.

On February 27, the school will open at 3:15 PM for visitors to tour the building and experience the incredible projects and displays created by our students. Then, at 4:30 PM, we’ll transition into a New Orleans jazz club experience for our showcase, featuring live music from Monique Blakey & The Experience and hosted by Pierre Douglas, a Twin Cities comedy staple known for his appearance on Comedy Central’s Hart of the City.

Guests will also enjoy authentic New Orleans cuisine prepared by Chef Ronnie. The celebration will conclude at 6:30 PM.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! You won’t want to miss this unforgettable event! Please contact Eddie Grant, assistant director of equity and belonging, at egrant@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions.


Middle School Division News February 13, 2025

Middle School students working together.from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars 

  • Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
  • Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
  • Monday, February 17: No Classes, President’s Day
  • Wednesday, February 19: MS G7/8 Affinity Group Meeting, 2:30-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Monday, February 24-Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Thursday, February 27: Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • March 3-March 7: MS i-Term

On Monday, we hosted our third edition of the Students and Screens program with a discussion centered on how to keep our children safe online by gaining an understanding of some of the controls available and the different ways that students can access different sites, social media, and discussion groups online. MPA parent Corey Ganser led our group in a discussion about the different ways that parents can work alongside their children through conversations and providing some guardrails so our children are safe and exposed to different parts of the internet and social media at developmentally appropriate times.

Our lively discussion included some questions about the appropriate time and ways to progress a child’s use of technology, with some parents sharing stories and anecdotes of how their child may have found themselves on programs or in chats that they probably should not have been a part of. As I shared with the group, “I have yet to meet a parent who said, ‘I wish I gave my student a phone or access to social media sooner than I did.’”

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The Power of Hopeful Skepticism: Preparing Students, and Ourselves, for a Complex World

Lower School teacher interacts with a student. 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


Remaining A Beacon Of Inclusivity, Integrity, and Courage

Lower School students celebrate with their hands up in the air. 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


Welcome To MPA, Ms. Allie DeLeo!

MPA's new student billing coordinator, Allie DeLeo. Welcome to MPA, Allie DeLeo! Ms. DeLeo will take over as our accounts payable, payroll, and student billing coordinator, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community! 

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I’ve spent the last 10 years working in the business office at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I also received my Bachelor of Fine Arts.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA’s community of innovative thinkers, creative makers, and purposeful achievers made an instant impression on me.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I value kindness and empathy and strive to make a positive impact on those around me. I’m always lunging forward to offer a helping hand, and I look forward to engaging with the community at MPA in any way that I can. Read More