Alumni, March 3 Is The Day To Leave Your Mark!

prep students in the library with thank you signs for alumniby Mike Velin ’06, MPA Alumni Association Chairperson

A 6 AM email from me may have seemed a little early, but it’s never too early to begin an important day of giving in support of MPA students, faculty, and staff. Today, I hope you’ll join me and other alumni and Parents of Alumni from our generous community to ensure MPA students and teachers today have the resources they need. Your gift will support:

  • Scholarships and Financial Assistance: Did you know MPA provides over $2 million each year to families who dream of an MPA education, but can’t afford the price tag? Your gift can make sure every promising student can benefit from a top-notch education, regardless of their ability to pay.
  • Programmatic Enhancements: An MPA education is the magic that happens inside the classroom, and in the clubs, sports, teams, and enrichment activities before, during, and after the school day. Make sure that students don’t miss out on what makes MPA truly great: the arts, athletics, music, student groups, and enhanced learning through innovative classroom experiences and the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace.

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Tell Us Who To Invite To Upper School Grandparents Day

grandparent visiting upper school studentInvite your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on Wednesday, April 22!

Grandparents and Special Friends Day has grown to include an event designed especially for Upper School! Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA.

If you would like your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend to receive an invitation in the mail to attend, let us know by sharing their contact information through this form by March 6, 2020. Doing so does not register them for the event, but rather lets us know who you would like us to invite. Read More


Introducing The Martin Lenz Harrison Library

Ingrid cutting the ribbon to the libraryThank you to our generous and kind community for helping us unveil the brand new Martin Lenz Harrison Library yesterday! Martin Lenz Harrison was a member of MPA’s first graduating class. His memory and legacy will live on for generations of Panthers as they read, learn, and grow in their beautiful library.

His surviving parents Alfred and Ingrid Lenz Harrison and members of the first graduating class joined us on campus for the ribbon cutting and celebration. Thank you to our donors, volunteers, and community members!


Join Us At The Spring Auction Preview Event

auction committee chairsStop by the Family Commons during drop off time for drinks and snacks and to learn more about this year’s Spring Auction! You can ask questions, purchase tickets, and talk to the volunteer planning committee members about the event. In addition, if you bring wine, gift cards, or a silent auction item to donate, you will be entered in a door prize drawing to win one of our coveted Golden Tickets for your chance to win one of this year’s fabulous live auction items.

MPA Spring Auction 2020: Light Up The Night Preview
Friday, February 14, 2020
7:30-8:30 AM in the Family Commons


Golden Tickets Go On Sale Saturday!

spring auction 2020 logoDon’t forget! Golden Tickets for the 2020 Spring Auction: Light Up the Night go on sale this Saturday, February 1. Only 100 tickets will be sold, and the winner will receive the live auction item of their choice! Don’t miss your chance to win one of these fabulous prizes.

Family and Business sponsorships are a great way to get your tickets for the event this year, and receive additional perks such as reserved premium seating, a free Golden Ticket, and helping to underwrite the cost of tickets for MPA teachers and staff to attend the event for free! A limited number of business and family sponsorships remain.

Contact Jennifer Rogers-Petitt, Director of Development and Community Engagement with questions or to learn more.


Purchase Your Spring Auction Golden Ticket!

mpa spring auction 2019 guestsIntroducing a brand new opportunity for you to support MPA and potentially win one of nine incredible Live Auction items, each worth thousands of dollars at this year’s 2020 MPA Spring Auction: Light up the Night! 100 Golden Ticket raffle tickets will be sold for $150 each, with the winning ticket holder picking the Live Auction item of their choice. These Golden Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will go on sale February 1. You may purchase up to five Golden Tickets for your family, and additional tickets as gifts for loved ones or MPA faculty and staff. Live auction items include:

  • US Open Premium Seating
  • Dinner with Bill Hudson, Head of School
  • 7 Night Stay in Paris at Rue Du Four
  • Find Adventure in Montana Cabin Stay
  • Xcel Energy Center Box Seats to Jingle Ball 2020 Concert with Multiple Headliners
  • Explore Donegal, Ireland the Coolest Place on Earth
  • St. Thomas Fun Under the Sun
  • Colorado Escape over MEA
  • Evening of Wine with the Piedmont Guy

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Light Up The Night At The MPA Spring Auction

guests at the 2019 spring auctionThe 2020 MPA Spring Auction: Light Up the Night  is your chance to support our beloved school while building community with fellow parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends. Enjoy delicious cuisine, a hosted bar, live music, games, and both live and silent auctions.

MPA Spring Auction
Friday, April 17, 2020
A’bulae | 255 6th St E, St Paul, MN 55101

Do you have any items from the holidays collecting dust such as extra gift cards or something that wasn’t quite right for your family? It might be perfect for this year’s silent auction or mystery box prizes. Contact us or drop off your item to the Development office anytime. Click here to view the 2020 Wish List.


The Shortest Day Of The Year

dr. Hudson with students passing the books into the new libraryby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Saturday marks the official beginning of winter and is also the shortest day of the year. It marks an important moment in the cycle of life, the end of darkness and the re-emergence of light. Throughout human history, in many cultures and religious traditions, light holds significant meaning, often symbolizing the goodness in each one of us. For many, it represents the warmth of home and family.

These last few weeks before winter break at MPA have been filled with celebrations of light, warmth, and family:

  • The Founders’ Breakfast is a wonderful tradition and it was such a joy last week to see so many students and families celebrating the history and values that bring us together.
  • Maybe it’s the lack of sleep or the holiday spirit, but I had tears in my eyes during the Middle School Band, Orchestra, and Vocal Concert last week. The students did a magnificent job, creating such beauty and joy through their music. As I scanned the faces of our students, I reflected on how much they have grown and come into their own, regardless of whether they were new this year or returning.
  • As I entered school on Tuesday, I was greeted by the comforting smell of waffles and syrup marking the annual Upper School tradition of our Peer Leaders serving homemade waffles to students.
  • This afternoon, we celebrated the completion of our new library, with all students, teachers, and staff passing the final 100 books, one by one, along line bridging the distance between the old and the new.

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Bring The Holiday Spirit To MPA

MPA carolers bringing the holiday spirit to campusMr. Habermann, Madrigal Singers and MPA Faculty and Staff would like to welcome back all choir alumni to campus to help spread joy this holiday season at MPA.

Caroling will take place in the North Entrance, Halls and Family Commons on Friday, December 20, 2019 from 7:15-8 AM. Please contact alumni@moundsparkacademy.org if you plan to attend.


College Years POA Reunion

parents of alumni at the College Years POA ReunionParents from the MPA classes of 2016 through 2019 gathered at Dellwood Golf Club on Thursday, November 7 to catch up on all the news of MPA’s college students! The evening was sponsored by the Parents of Alumni and is an annual event designed to help parents stay in touch after graduation. Drinks and appetizers were served and everyone had a wonderful time mingling and reconnecting with old friends!