Upper School Archives

The Class Of 2026 Finds Their Fit

May 15, 2026

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the May 16 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

This fall, members of MPA’s Class of 2026 will begin their next chapters as Tigers, Bruins, Blue Demons, Blue Jays, Tritons, Golden Eagles, and much more.

They’ll head off to colleges and universities across the country to study everything from engineering and neuroscience to business economics, cognitive science, liberal studies, and more. Several students will also continue competing in collegiate athletics, pursuing their passions in sports like Nordic skiing and golf.

From coast to coast—and even internationally—the Class of 2026 is preparing to make its mark. MPA graduates are heading to schools in 17 different states with destinations ranging from California and Colorado to Massachusetts and North Carolina. They’ll soon call cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, among many others, home.

In total, the 55 members of the Class of 2026 will matriculate to 39 different colleges and universities, a reflection of the individualized and student-centered nature of the college search process at MPA. Rather than following a single path, students are encouraged to discover the colleges and opportunities that best align with who they are and whom they hope to become.

On May 1, seniors gathered to celebrate College Choice Day, proudly wearing apparel from their future schools while creating their annual college pennants, taking photos, sharing laughs, and soaking in one of the final traditions of their MPA experience together. See photos from the day!

“College choices are led by each student’s set of priorities in choosing a school. These priorities center on a number of different themes—academic programming, athletic interests, scholarship awards, location, research opportunities, and extracurricular pursuits—which is why our seniors matriculate to such a wonderful array of schools. We have a system in place where Dr. Quam, assistant director of college counseling, and I know each senior exceptionally well,” says director of college counseling Lisa Pederson.

Congratulations to the MPA Class of 2026! We are so proud of all you have accomplished and excited to see where your next adventures lead.

May 14, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

Kindergarten students celebrate the 100th day of school. Now, tomorrow marks the final day for the Class of 2026.

Even though the school year follows a familiar rhythm and calendar, these final weeks always seem to arrive more quickly than expected.

Countdowns help us organize time and build anticipation for what lies ahead. At MPA, this season of transition also invites reflection. In conversations across campus, I continue to hear students, families, and colleagues sharing pride in accomplishments, gratitude for meaningful experiences, excitement, and sometimes nervousness about what comes next.

Yesterday, I stood in the courtyard with our seniors as they laughed, talked, and enjoyed the sunshine and each other’s company. Some eagerly shared how ready they feel to begin their next chapter, while others spoke honestly about the uncertainty that can come with change. Both emotions are real, important, and deeply human. The countdown to their time at MPA is nearly complete, and with it comes a mixture of celebration, reflection, and transition. Read More

MPA Speech Success At NIETOC Nationals

May 11, 2026

The MPA speech team finished ranked 11th in the nation this past weekend—its best finish ever at NIETOC Nationals!

Ash Klann was a national finalist in Original Oratory, finishing sixth overall. Ash’s speech focused on the need for a new LGBTQ+ rights movement. Guy Schwieger and Nico Bergh advanced to the semifinal round in Duo, finishing ninth overall with a humorous twist on “Titanic.”

Kelvyn Boddipalli and Oslo Norcross also advanced to the semifinal round in Duo, finishing 12th overall with a performance of “Men Against Fire,” an episode of Black Mirror. Andrew Buhr was tiebroken from the semifinal round in International Extemporaneous Speaking, finishing in the top 15.

Lucy Mayer finished one point shy of the semifinals in Original Oratory, ending her run in quarterfinals. Boddipalli also reached the quarterfinals in Humorous Interpretation.

Reaching the octafinals were Sidd Sastry in International Extemporaneous Speaking, Hazel Reid and Warner Reid in Duo, and Norcross in Informative Speaking.

The results continue a rapid rise in national success for the MPA speech team. Since 2024, the team has produced four champions, eight finalists, and 36 out-of-round appearances at national circuit tournaments. Congratulations, Panthers!

MPA Students Named National Merit Finalists

May 7, 2026

Congratulations to Thomas Dickson ’26 and Liam Kimmerle ’26, who were named National Merit Finalists this year, a recognition achieved by only around 15,000 students nationwide!

After qualifying as semi-finalists based on the PSAT taken in their junior year, each completed an application including an essay, academic and activity information, and a school recommendation. This fall, Thomas will attend Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while Liam will enroll at UCLA. They plan to study chemistry and biochemistry, respectively.

In addition to the honor of selection, about 7,500 finalists receive scholarships through the National Merit program each year. Thomas recently received news that he had been chosen as a National Merit Corporate-sponsored Scholarship winner. Congratulations, Thomas!

Upper School Division News May 7, 2026

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

Applied Painting Completes 14th Annual Painted Piano

May 3, 2026

Every year, Upper School Applied Painting students at Mounds Park Academy paint a piano together. The first piano was painted in 2012, making this the 14th annual piano! The painted pianos are part of an ongoing partnership between the MPA Art Department and Keys 4/4 Kids, a local non-profit that refurbishes pianos and supports art and music programs in under-resourced communities.

The painted pianos are placed around the Twin Cities as part of the Pianos on Parade program. The piano that Applied Painting students painted last year is currently on display at Red Balloon Book Store in St. Paul.

A theme is decided each year, based on ideas submitted by students and also considering the design and era of the actual piano. This year’s piano included flowers carved into the molding on both sides of the front panel. This detail created a natural match for the delicate flowers seen in Christi Belcourt’s work. Belcourt, a prominent Métis artist from Canada, granted students permission to reference her painting, “Bird Song,” for this project.

Students began their study by going on a field trip to see Christi Belcourt’s piece, “It’s a Delicate Balance,” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and also Dyani White Hawk’s exhibit Love Language at The Walker Art Center. The field trip helped students compare and contrast the two Contemporary Native artists, both of whom are heavily influenced by traditional beadwork, yet apply that inspiration in very different ways.

Students worked collaboratively to paint the piano; They signed up to complete needed tasks throughout the various stages of the process, including painting the base, mixing the colors, drawing the design, transferring the design, and painting dots. Lots and lots of dots! Students learned that Belcourt uses knitting needles to create dots, and so they emulated that technique.

In addition to working on the piano in shifts, students each created a pair of related paintings. Students selected and researched a Native Artist or Native Art Form of their choice to influence their compositions. The group selected a wide variety of topics to study, including painting, collage, tapestry, quillwork, and beadwork. With the intention of learning and honoring, not appropriating, students credited their influences on the tags, while also incorporating their own ideas into the work.

Please enjoy viewing the connections between collaborative and individual work—a wonderful blend of both unity and variety!

Living Our Mission To Its Fullest

April 30, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

At Mounds Park Academy, our mission calls us to, “… teach students to think independently, communicate effectively, and act with respect and integrity in a diverse community that models intellectual ambition, global responsibility, and the joy of learning.” Our deep belief in our mission provides us with the momentum and desire to develop meaningful ways to live our mission to its fullest.

Over the next two weeks, we are honored to welcome a small group of students and administrators from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) in Shenzhen, China, into our community. Their presence in our classrooms, hallways, and homes enriches the daily experience of learning, not only for them, but for all of us. These moments remind us that education extends far beyond textbooks; it is found in shared conversations, new perspectives, and the courage to connect across cultures. During their time here, the VMA students and administrators will also spend time visiting notable sites in the Twin Cities, as well as visiting college campuses. We hope to send interested MPA students to visit VMA in the spring of 2027.

This exchange is also part of a broader commitment to global partnership. We are excited to continue this journey next year with an exchange program with La Escuela Italiana in Mendoza, Argentina. Students from La Escuela Italiana will visit MPA in the fall, with an opportunity for students in our Spanish program to travel to Mendoza for two weeks over spring break. These opportunities reflect our belief that global responsibility is not an abstract idea. We practice this through relationship building, creating shared experiences, and further stretching our understanding of cultures different than our own. Read More

MPA Student Earns Top Honors At Two Regional Art Exhibitions

April 29, 2026

Congrats to Camille Hirsch ’26, who earned top honors at two major art exhibitions!

Her piece, “From Sunrise to Sunset,” was awarded best of show at the White Bear Center for the Arts Vision and Verse Exhibition, a juried show that highlights the connection between visual art and poetry. The work was also featured in the White Bear Press.

In addition, Hirsch’s piece, “Exclusion Zone,” received the top senior award at the COMPAS Emerging Young Artists Exhibition, which recognizes outstanding work by high school artists from across the Twin Cities. Hirsch is the first Mounds Park Academy student to receive either award.

The awards highlight Hirsch’s notable achievement and reflect continued success for the arts program. Way to go, Camille!

MPA Speech Team Places Second At State Meet!

April 27, 2026

Congratulations to the MPA speech team on a successful showing at the MSHSL Class A state tournament, earning a second-place team finish behind a series of top individual performances during the meet at Park Center High School.

Ash Klann ’26 (Original Oratory), Guy Schwieger ’26 and Nico Bergh ’27 (Duo Interpretation), and Warner Reid ’26 (Serious Interpretation of Poetry) each finished on top in their respective fields, all claiming state championships.

Not far behind were Sidd Sastry ’27 in Extemporaneous Speaking, Mina Kim ’26 in Great Speeches, and Oslo Norcross ’27 in Informative Speaking, all securing runner-up placements.

Additional top-five finishes included Andrew Buhr ’28, who placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking, Kelvyn Boddipalli ’26, who took fourth in Humorous Interpretation, and Andrea Pugh ’26, who finished fourth in Serious Interpretation of Prose.

We are so proud of how MPA wrapped up the MSHSL season at state, earning individual championships and a second-place finish as a team. Way to go, Panthers—you earned this!

Upper School Division News April 23, 2026

April 23, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Over the next couple of weeks, Mounds Park Academy is excited to welcome eight students and two adults from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy in Shenzhen, China, to campus. During their time in Minnesota, our guests will fully engage in the life of the Upper School, attending classes alongside MPA students and participating in the grades 10-12 Upper School Prom scheduled for the first weekend in May. In addition to campus life, the group will visit college campuses and cultural landmarks throughout the Twin Cities, offering them a firsthand experience of our local communities and region.

International exchange experiences like this play a meaningful role in preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world. Research consistently shows that students who participate in global learning opportunities develop stronger cultural competence, adaptability, perspective taking, and communication skills, qualities that colleges, employers, and MPA (think about our mission statement that refers to global responsibility) identify as critical for success. Exposure to different educational systems and cultural norms helps students move beyond stereotypes, deepen empathy, and better understand the global context in which they live and learn. These exchanges enrich the academic experience by extending learning beyond the classroom and grounding it in real-world relationships.

Importantly, the benefits of international exchanges extend to both travelers and host communities. Visiting students gain confidence, independence, and a broader worldview, while host students sharpen their intercultural communication skills and learn to see familiar routines through new perspectives. For school communities, these partnerships foster meaningful relationships, strengthen global citizenship, and affirm the idea that learning is enriched when diverse voices and experiences are welcomed into shared spaces. Hosting students from Vanke Meisha Academy allows our community to practice curiosity, hospitality, and respect, all values central to MPA’s mission.