Upper School Archives

August 23, 2018

Needless to say, race and social justice are important topics of conversation these days. Headlines related to police brutality, the legacy of slavery, the expansion of hate groups, and mass incarceration appear frequently. To explore these issues and, in particular, the role of the civil rights movement in American history, 21 MPA Upper School students and two MPA teachers traveled more than 3,000 miles on the “This Land is Your Land” bus trip. They saw sights ranging from one of the segregated schools associated with the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision to the Lorraine Motel and the National Civil Rights Museum to the new National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama. Additionally, they visited six presidential libraries and homes and other major sights, including the World War I Museum in Kansas City and Graceland. Read More

MPA Ice Cream Social

August 23, 2018

Come for the sundaes, stay for the friends! The MPA Ice Cream Social is on Thursday, August 30, from 3-4 PM. This annual community gathering is hosted by MPA faculty and staff, servings scoops to anyone who would like to attend and spend the afternoon with us! The Social will take place outside of the Lower School Atrium. All families are welcome to come and we hope to see you there to celebrate a fantastic first week back at MPA!

Announcements From The Makerspace

August 23, 2018

We can’t wait to see you and your children in the Makerspace this year! There are many new activities and creative projects to explore, and Ms. Koen is so happy to guide you through them all. “I have some new ideas to bring to the table after taking an engineering class over the summer!” she said. We also have exciting announcements for Makerspace events both new and back by popular demand from last year!

Starting September 7, the Fiber Friends maker group will meet every Friday from 11 AM-12:30 PM. This group of knitters, crocheters, and textile gurus is open to faculty, parents, alumni, and students! If you want to participate, but do not know how to knit or crochet, beginners are always welcome!

Lower School STEAM club will begin in January and meet after school on Thursdays. There is a winter and a spring session, and registration will come out at the end of November! More reminders to come this Fall! Read More

Welcome Home

August 23, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Welcome home to MPA! It was wonderful to see you Tuesday evening for Back to School Night. There was great energy and optimism in the school as we welcomed 80 new students and families to MPA and re-connected with returning families. The packed bleachers in the Lansing Center was a sight to behold and filled me with gratitude and great pride. As I stood at the south entrance on such a beautiful morning, the hugs, handshakes and high fives reminded me how fortunate I am to lead this amazing community. Thank you for the joy your family brings to our school.

A common theme emerges when students, parents, teachers, or staff are asked to describe MPA in one word. Family. The strong relationships that form between members of the MPA community resemble the bonds between family members. Because of those bonds, our students develop the confidence to discover and pursue their dreams and uncover their purpose in the world.

In October, we will welcome educators from independent schools across the Midwest who are serving on our accreditation visiting team. After one year of self-reflection here on campus, we seek their review and affirmation of the plans and priorities we offer as part of our commitment to continuous improvement. They will make a recommendation of accreditation to the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), validating who we are as well as offering suggestions that will enhance our school. This is a very important part of the life of an independent school and I am looking forward to the process.

Welcome Home, Panthers!

August 16, 2018

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at New Family Orientation and Back To School Night to start off another fantastic school year! Grab your new school supplies and head to campus on Tuesday, August 21, for time with your teachers, an all-school assembly, and snacks! Welcome home, Panthers!

New Family Orientation: 3:30-5:45 PM

LOWER SCHOOL FAMILIES • GRADES PREK-4
3:30-4 PM – Students and parents stay together to meet homeroom teachers, put away school supplies, and locate and/or practice lockers.
4-4:45 PM – Students separate for an activity with Mr. Purdy, Extended Day Coordinator, while parents meet with Ms. Wright, Lower School Director, in the Library.
4:45-5:30 PM – Enjoy dinner in the cafeteria.
5:30-5:45 PM – Meet Head of School Dr. Hudson and the Leadership Team.
6:15-6:30 PM – All-School Welcome Back Assembly in the Lansing Center.
6:30-7:30 PM – Additional time to visit homeroom and specialist teachers and classrooms, organize school supplies, and practice student lockers. Refreshments available. Read More

Witnessing Growth

June 7, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

At the door this morning, a kindergartener excitedly showed Ms. Wright and me her wiggly tooth. “Look! I’m losing another tooth! Right next to the one I already lost!” she said as she worked the tooth back and forth with her finger. For several weeks earlier this spring, we received daily updates of the process of losing her first tooth. It is stories like this that I tell when people ask me what I love most about my job.

Losing teeth, “high water” pants, and deeper voices are all outward signs of growing students. Not as obvious are the maturity and confidence students develop over their time at MPA, whether over the course of one year, or many. I see it in the way they carry themselves in the hallways and how they perform on the stage or playing field. Nothing is more rewarding than to witness this growth and to somehow be a part of it.

2018 Upper School Awards Assembly

June 7, 2018

Congratulations to all of the Upper School students who received honors and awards at the 2018 Upper School Awards Assembly! On Friday, June 1, the school gathered to commemorate all of these students’ achievements. Academic, National Merit, Scholarship, Yearbook, Choir, Band, Orchestra, Visual Art, Math, English, Science, Social Studies, Forensics, French, Spanish, Drama, Athletics, Service, Spirit of ’86, Junior Mission Statement, Certificate of Distinction, and Alumni Association awards were given. Please join us in congratulating the following students! View photos of the assembly or watch the assembly here!

The Class of 2018 Senior Walk

June 7, 2018

After 13 years of joyful learning, the Class of 2018 took one final walk among their PreK through 11th grade friends to remember where they came from, celebrate what they have achieved, show gratitude for their community, and inspire those who follow in their footsteps. You can watch this touching tradition here!

Class Of 2018: Kate Van Hecke, Saint Paul, MN

June 6, 2018

As the 2017-18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!

In what grade did you come to MPA? In fifth grade.

How did you come to choose the college that you did? I chose Wellesley because it valued curiosity, exploration, the empowerment of women, and educating the whole person—all things I value as well! I chose a women’s college because I want to surround myself with fierce, intelligent, and dedicated women who also care about the world around us. The world is coed, so being able to go to college in a place run by and dedicated to women is a phenomenal opportunity.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience? I am so excited to continue studying foreign languages! Throughout my eight years at MPA, I’ve studied Spanish, French, and Arabic as well as Fante during my time abroad and the prospect of being able to add another language or two to that list is thrilling. I am also looking forward to learning to call a new place home—I’ve done it before, and it was incredibly rewarding.

MPA Spring Athletics Highlights

June 4, 2018

We are excited to share many updates and highlights from the 2018 spring athletics season! While the season got off to a wintry start, the MPA athletes and coaches made up for their lost time with various achievements. Please congratulate and celebrate them with us!

Senior Rachel Lindrud qualified for State and placed fourth in the Section Golf competition, scoring 49-43/43-37 172. She will be representing MPA as an individual at the State Meet at Pebble Creek in Becker on June 12 and 13.
The MPA boys golf team placed first in Section 4A and qualified for State, winning by 12 strokes: senior Brock Bliese scored 40-39/39-34 152, senior Matthew Berning scored 39-41/40-41 161, senior Jackson Peacock scored 41-41/41-42 165, senior Joe Mecklenburg scored 44-42/42-38 166, senior Anthony Kuba scored 44-48/52-43 187, and senior Nicholas Guiang scored 48-47/45-53 193. They will be competing as a team at the State Meet at Pebble Creek in Becker on June 12 and 13.
The boys tennis team of junior Adam Reinke, freshman Alexander Vue, junior Aneesh Syal, freshman Diego Valverde, sophomore Dillon Vue, junior Karan Jain, eighth grader Mario L., junior Parker Law, and senior Travis Mudge won the Section 5A competition, defeating Hill-Murray with a score of 5-2 to advance to the State meet. They are playing on June 5 in the Team State Class A Tournament against Litchfield High School.
On June 7, Travis Mudge and and Dillon Vue will play doubles at the State Class A Tournament versus Luverne High School and Parker Law, ranked the number one seed in this tournament, will play against Minnewaska Area High School. Read more about Parker’s ranking in this recent Star Tribune article!
Junior Yahya Madar was the Section champion in the high jump at the Section 4A Track and Field championships, tying the meet and school record with a jump of 6’6.
Senior Declan Dahlberg placed first at Sections in the 3200m run with a time of 9:50.48.
Five individuals and four MPA relay teams earned medals for placing in the top six. Out of 27 schools, MPA’s boys were fifth and girls twelfth.
Three Panthers are moving on to the State track and field meet at Hamline University: senior Blake Henke in the Wheel Chair Shot, competing on June 8 at 3:30 PM; senior Declan Dahlberg in the 3200m on June 8 and the 1600m run on June 9 at 5:23 PM; and junior Yahya Madar in the High Jump on June 9 at 3:30 PM.
Coach Bev Docherty and Coach Nate Bander ’09 were named the Section 4A Track and Field Boys Head and Assistant Coaches of the year.