Upper School

May 21, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

One might think that after three decades in education, saying goodbye at the end of each school year would become easier. In truth, it has not. Each year is shaped by relationships and built on trust, shared experiences, and daily moments that matter. Those connections make May both joyful and bittersweet.

As the year draws to a close, I often find myself reflecting on the opening lines of The Doors’ 1967 song “The End”—“This is the end, beautiful friend…” Originally written by Jim Morrison as a farewell following a relational breakup, the song evolved into something much broader: a meditation on transition, closure, and even the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Morrison himself later reflected that it began as “a simple goodbye song,” but could also be understood as “a goodbye to a kind of childhood.”

That broader meaning resonates deeply with me, and I imagine in many schools. This time of year is not simply about endings—it is about transformation. It is about honoring what has been, while also recognizing what is becoming.

In classrooms across MPA, teachers intentionally create the conditions for students to grow into their next chapter. Research consistently reinforces what we see every day within our hallways and classrooms, that strong student-teacher relationships are foundational to student engagement and success. In fact, a study published in the June 2024 “Frontiers in Psychology” shows that “when students perceive their instructors as supportive, they are more likely to stay motivated, participate actively, and persist through challenges.” Similarly, research in educational psychology highlights that positive student-teacher relationships are directly associated with improved academic engagement and well-being. Read More

May 7, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, MPA joyfully arrives at what many in our community know as concert season. This special time brings our choirs, band, and orchestra to the Nicholson Center stage to share the incredible work they have been preparing throughout the year. These concerts are community celebrations, moments when students showcase not only musical skill, but dedication, creativity, and teamwork. Research consistently affirms the value of music education, and a 2023 University of Southern California study showed that “sustained participation in school music programs supports cognitive development, academic growth, and overall student wellbeing.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of concert season is witnessing student growth over time. For some musicians, this marks the completion of their first year at MPA, and for others, it reflects an Upper School musical journey that began four years ago. Studies from institutions such as USC and the Arts Education Partnership demonstrate that musical training strengthens memory, attention, executive functioning, and emotional regulation, all positive skills that will benefit them in Upper School and beyond. Watching students, including my own son, who once approached the stage with hesitation, now perform with poise, is a powerful reminder of how music supports both skill development and confidence.

As students advance, their repertoire grows in complexity and depth, requiring careful listening, collaboration, and perseverance. Research published in journals such as “Frontiers in Psychology” and “The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” shows that ensemble music-making strengthens social connection, self-efficacy, and motivation, benefits that extend far beyond the four walls of their music room or the Nicholson Center. These qualities are clearly visible as students perform increasingly challenging pieces with focus and pride. Read More