Upper School

April 23, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

When I’m asked what I love most about my job, the answer comes instantly: the kids! Their joy, curiosity, and kindness infuse every corner of our campus and every moment of the school day. One of the greatest sources of that joy is the cross-age relationships we nurture here at MPA. Whether it’s a simple high-five between students passing in the hallway, Upper Schoolers reading with Lower Schoolers, or a schoolwide Pairing Assembly, these moments—both intentional and spontaneous—are among the most meaningful parts of life at a PreK–12 school under one roof.

This week’s Earth Day Pairing Assembly beautifully reflected two of our school’s guiding values: our responsibility to care for the planet and our deep belief in the power of connection across ages and stages. In so many ways, this event captured the heart of what it means to dream big and do right—to imagine a better world and then work together to bring it to life.

Earth Day is a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to the well-being of our planet. But at MPA, it’s more than a moment. It’s a mindset. Our curriculum, our projects, and our partnerships all reflect our commitment to sustainability, stewardship, and preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world.

This year’s celebration was especially joyful. First graders and ninth graders worked side by side in the Lower School garden, carrying, planting, and watering 48 vibrant pansies. As Upper School Biology Teacher Mitch Thomsen shared, “Everyone was happy. The weather was perfect.” The thoughtful collaboration between students—deciding where to plant, sharing tools, and working efficiently—was a quiet, powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together.

Inside the Upper School Commons, seniors and kindergarteners created posters, songs, and even interpretive dances centered on protecting the earth’s water. Kindergarten student Aiden’s artwork read: “The Earth is important. Be careful of your choices with plastic. Be safe to the world. We are responsible. Do right.” As Dawson, a Lower School student, put it, “We made ‘I Love Earth’ posters with older kids—and when I’m older, I get to help younger people.” That sense of reciprocity and joy is exactly what makes these cross-age connections so powerful.

At their core, these relationships are about more than celebration—they are about belonging. For younger students, having an older buddy says, “You are seen. You matter.” For older students, serving as a mentor affirms their growth, builds empathy, and cultivates leadership. For all students, these relationships foster confidence, kindness, and community.

Research supports what we’ve long known at MPA: cross-age partnerships boost academic engagement, strengthen communication skills, and nurture motivation. They help students develop both the heart and the habits of leadership. And most importantly, they remind us that school is not just a place of learning—but a place of becoming.
As we gathered this week to honor the Earth, we also honored one another. We planted flowers and friendships. We practiced stewardship and leadership. We laughed, learned, and looked forward—with hope.

In many ways, Earth Day and our Pairing Assembly are two sides of the same coin. They remind us that change begins with connection—to nature, to each other, and to the future we envision together. They call us to step outside ourselves, act with care, and grow with purpose.

April 17, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

There’s a special kind of magic that fills our school in the weeks leading up to the spring musical. Laughter rings through the Nicholson Center, lines are rehearsed in quiet corners, musicians fine-tune their performance, and sets begin to take shape. That energy is alive and well this year as we prepare for our reimagined production of “The Wizard of Oz“—a performance that reflects not just creativity, but the heart of an MPA education.

This year, 56 students from grades seven through 12 are involved in the production as cast members, crew, and orchestra musicians. And it’s not just our seasoned theatre students who are participating. Among them are athletes, musicians, first-time performers, and students who joined simply because a friend encouraged them or because they were curious. They come from different friend groups, different grades, and different backgrounds, but theatre brings them together in a way that is powerful and transformative.

As director James Lekatz shared, “The most powerful gift theater gives is the incredible strength to create community. These students aren’t in the same friend groups, but they are coming together for this production. The audience is made up of friends, family, and strangers, coming together for one night to support students doing incredible things. Theater brings people together to experience a brief moment together.” Read More

April 10, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we step into the vibrant season of spring, I find myself drawn to the quiet beauty and symbolism this time of year brings. The longer days, the budding trees, the chirping of birds, the honking of geese, and the first signs of green pushing through the soil remind us of the steady, hopeful rhythm of renewal. For those of us in education—and perhaps especially in the Upper Midwest where winter holds on tightly—spring is more than just a season. It is a metaphor for the growth, energy, and transformation that we see unfolding daily within our school community.

At MPA, spring invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate how far we’ve come this year. We see this in the confidence of a kindergartner who now walks into school independently, in the curiosity of a fourth grader asking big questions, and in the thoughtful determination of a senior finalizing their post-secondary decision. These moments—large and small—mark the progress of a school year that, like spring itself, began in stillness and has blossomed into joyful, dynamic growth.

Spring also gives us the gift of perspective. Just as trees begin to leaf out again after a long winter, our students begin to show us the fruits of their learning. They take risks, solve problems, express ideas, and test out who they are becoming. These moments of discovery and stretch are not always linear—they often arrive with a mix of messiness and magic—but they are the very heart of a transformational education. And they mirror what we as adults know to be true: real growth takes time, intention, and courage. Read More