Upper School Archives

Upper School Division News May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, May 23: US Senior Class Meeting, 8:30-10 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 23: US Senior Performances, 10-11 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 23: US Senior Lunch and Alumni Panel, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 23: LS/US Band/Orchestra G4 Concert, 11:30 AM-12:10 PM, Panther Center
Friday, May 23: US Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, MPA Campus
Friday, May 23: US Awards Ceremony, 1:45 PM-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Monday, May 26: No Classes, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 27: US Senior Service-Con, 1-4 PM, McKeown Track
Tuesday, May 27: US Boys Tennis Banquet, 6:30-8 PM, Family Commons
Wednesday, May 28: US Madrigal Singer Auditions, 3-6 PM, Choir Room and Recital Hall
Wednesday, May 28: US Class of 2025 Dinner, 6-8 PM, Dellwood Country Club
Thursday, May 29-Friday, May 30: US World Language Finals
Friday, May 30: US Mandatory Commencement Rehearsal, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Nicholson Center
Saturday, May 31: Commencement, 6-7:30 PM, Nicholson Center
Monday, June 2: US English Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
Monday, June 2: US Science Finals, 12-1:30 PM
Monday, June 2: US Girls Softball Banquet, 5-6:30 PM, Family Commons
Tuesday, June 3: End of Quarter 4
Tuesday, June 3: US Social Studies Finals, 8:45-10:15 AM
Tuesday, June 3: US Math Finals, 12-1:30 PM

One would think that after nearly three decades in the education field, I have become an expert, or at the very least knowledgeable, in saying goodbye to students at the end of the year. After spending the school year building relationships based on trust, shared values, and lived experiences, it is no easier today than it was in 1995 to bid students farewell as the school year draws to a close. I have found that toward the end of each May, when stress, fatigue, and emotion are running high, the opening lyrics to the Doors song “The End” come to mind. In the epic 1967 song, the band’s lead singer Jim Morrison shares, “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend the end…”

Although the song was initially written about the breakup of Morrison and his girlfriend, I see it as a wonderful piece of poetry that helps draw a close to the school year. I reflect and focus on the positive interactions and experiences shared with students throughout the year. Although this practice eases the inevitable, I still get sad thinking about not having those students as part of the day-to-day community and how quiet the building will be over the summer. I am looking forward to the Senior Walk and Upper School Awards Assembly tomorrow, where we will witness the smiles, exuberance, and accolades expressed by the community. Having the Class of 2025 back on campus after their carnival-themed prank earlier this week will be joyful. Read More

Reflections From The MPA Class Of 2025 Lifers

May 22, 2025

Approaching the end of their final year roaming the halls of MPA as students, we had the honor of interviewing many of the MPA Class of 2025 Lifers about their experiences at MPA, the only school they’ve attended for their entire academic careers.

All incredibly talented students with well-versed backgrounds in the arts, athletics, and academics shared memories and reflections of MPA past and present, looking toward the future well prepared by MPA. Ari Williams, Henry Schwartz, Camdyn Magnuson, Quentin Hawley, Navreen Biring, Lucia Braith, and Rowan Mulrooney are all set to graduate on May 31, joining the Joanne Olson Club, reserved for students whose entire K-12 or PreK-12 journey has taken place here at MPA.

Choosing a school for 13 years means becoming part of a close-knit community where every child is truly seen and supported. So we asked: How has MPA’s community supported and shaped you as a student, a human being, and a young person?

Henry: The teachers get to know you really well. Recently, Ms. Murr in class made a recommendation for a book that I might like based on how she knows me. I know you wouldn’t get that anywhere else. It’s really cool. It teaches you how to ask questions because the teachers have that kind of connection with you, and it’s not scary to go up to them, even if it’s your first year having this teacher.

Rowan: My entire identity has been shaped by Mounds Park Academy, but especially when referring to the college application process, I would not nearly have been able to do what I did without the help of Dr. Quam. Especially hearing from other schools, their systems that they have set up for college health are not nearly the same. Especially with teachers, it’s very one-on-one and very helpful. Read More

Then & Now: Tradition Of The Senior Walk

May 19, 2025

from Tim Koerner ’03

If you are reading this, you have your own, distinct memories of what it was like to graduate from MPA and your senior year. The auditorium, the proud friends and family, receiving your diploma, and taking pictures on the campus lawn in your cap and gown…

While the classic elements of an MPA graduation have remained the same for more than four decades, a new, poignant element was introduced to the graduation season in 2017—the Senior Walk.

MPA’s director of college counseling, Lisa Pederson, describes the event:

“The Senior Walk debuted in 2017, bringing the whole school community together to honor the graduating class. Seniors process through campus in their graduation gowns, stopping for quick hugs and high-fives from cheering teachers, parents, and friends from other grades. Led by Dr. Hudson, the parade emerges from the Lower School entrance—where some seniors started their MPA education—and follows the sidewalk west to finish at Door 4, near the Black Box. It’s become a fun and beloved tradition for the MPA community, while as a teacher and parent of recent MPA alums, I’ve found it to be a poignant moment as well.”

This year’s Senior Walk will take place on Friday, May 23, at 1 PM, and you can catch last year’s Senior Walk for the Class of 2024 here.

Watching the Senior Walk is often a culmination of sorts for younger Panther classes, who interact with and are exposed to the Seniors and their college selection process throughout the year. Read More

Portrait Of A Founder

May 15, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of Jim Gardner, a founding board member of Mounds Park Academy, alumni parent, alumni grandparent, and generous benefactor. Jim lived a life of quiet impact, marked by deep love for his family, steadfast generosity, and tireless commitment to the institutions and communities he believed in, including MPA, YMCA Camp Widjiwagan, and the Science Museum of Minnesota.

Jim and Joan enrolled their son, Matt, at MPA before we had a building, a curriculum, or even teachers. They were drawn to Bob and Sandy Kreischer Smith’s vision of a school that would see their child as a whole person and nurture him as an engaged learner. On the car ride home from his admission interview in May 1982, they made the decision to enroll. That act of faith—choosing an idea over certainty—helped bring MPA to life.

When Matt tragically passed away in 2006, Jim and Joan created the Matthew Gardner Scholarship, which continues to support students of modest means. That legacy—like their son—is deeply woven into the fabric of this school.

Jim’s contributions didn’t stop there. A friend and board member, Karen Benz, recruited Jim early on to help with MPA’s first budget. He was a banker, a property manager, and, at the time, one of the few people with a home computer capable of creating spreadsheets. He once joked, “For some reason, at this point, I was put on the board and made treasurer of an organization that looked like it might go broke.” But Jim knew that if we were to build trust with families, we had to finish our first year in the black. And under his careful watch, we did. Read More

The Power Of PreK-12

May 13, 2025

What is it about a PreK-12 learning environment that is uniquely powerful? Beyond just academics, this type of community fosters a sense of continuity, belonging, and deep-rooted connection that enriches the student experience. From the first day of school to graduation, students are surrounded by a familiar group of peers who nurture their growth and support their dreams. At MPA, this all-encompassing model creates a dynamic environment where meaningful relationships flourish, learning is intentionally built upon, and students are empowered to thrive.

Social Benefits

An amazing part of attending a PreK-12 school is that students are able to foster long-term, meaningful relationships with their peers (across all grades and divisions) and the adults in the building who know them well. Most adults can easily tell you about a teacher who impacted their lives–imagine if those teachers could stay in your life for an extended period of time and watch you grow. At the end of the year, after our seniors celebrate their last day of classes with each other in the Upper School commons, the next place they often head is to the Lower School to see the teachers who were fundamental in the foundation of their academic journey.

We often say it takes a village. When students truly find their village, they find a home here where they are supported, known, and seen for exactly who they are. And we have seen what happens to students who spend time in the MPA village. They blossom into confident, self-assured, generous students who dream big and do right.

Academic Benefits

At MPA, we have a comprehensive and cohesive curriculum because we are a PreK-12 space. Because we all work in the same building, we know what comes next and how to prepare students for the next step in their education. Communication between teachers and divisions allows for a smooth transition. Our faculty members are able to have conversations about where they have found success with each student and some challenges that each student might encounter in the future. Those conversations allow students and parents to come into a new grade or division without feeling like they are completely starting over each year. We are able to build and add to what we already know about a student. Read More

A Project About People

May 8, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

At Mounds Park Academy, we often speak about creating a school where every student feels seen, valued, and safe. But it’s not enough to say it—we must live it. That’s why I want to share something close to my heart: our initiative to provide additional inclusive, all-gender restrooms specifically in the Upper School.

This project is not just about construction or facilities—it’s about people. It’s about honoring the dignity of every student, employee, and guest who walks through our doors. It’s about ensuring that our school reflects the values we teach: empathy, respect, and belonging.

All-gender restrooms are becoming common in schools across the country because they work. They provide privacy, safety, and affirmation. For some of our students, these spaces are essential to feeling like they belong. For all of our students, they are a lesson in how we care for one another in community.

The renovated restrooms outside of the head’s suite in Upper School will feature fully enclosed stalls and updated designs that prioritize comfort and privacy. This is not just a step forward for some—it’s a benefit to everyone.

We are just $42,000 away from making this vision a reality, and we need your help to cross the finish line.

Upper School Division News May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

from Jay Dean, assistant Upper School director and Panther Post guest contributor

Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday, May 14: US Constitutional Law Oral Arguments, 6-8 PM, PCR, Recital Hall, and Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Thursday, May 15: MS/US Band Concert, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 16: US Class of 2025 Last Day of Classes
Friday, May 16: US Senior Sunset, 7:30-9:30 PM, South Lawn
Monday, May 19: Senior GCD Presentations, 3:15-5 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Wednesday, May 21: US Vocal Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 23: US Senior Class Meeting, 8:30-10 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 23: US Senior Performances, 10-11 AM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 23: Lunch Alumni Panel with Class of 2025, 11 AM-12:30 PM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 23: LS/US Band/Orchestra G4 Concert, 11:30 AM-12:10 PM, Panther Center
Friday, May 23: US Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, MPA Campus
Friday, May 23: US Awards Ceremony, 1:45-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Monday, May 26: No Classes, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 27: Senior Service-Con, 1-4 PM, McKeown Track
Wednesday, May 28: Madrigal Singer Auditions, 3-6 PM, Choir Room and Recital Hall
Wednesday, May 28: US Class of 2025 Dinner, 6-8 PM, Dellwood Country Club
Thursday, May 29: US World Language Finals

“3,600 hours…and counting!”

One of the MPA graduation requirements is for students to complete 60 hours of community service over four years, including a 30-hour Senior Service Project. While in Upper School, all students engage in service in our surrounding Twin Cities’ communities, in other places across the country, abroad, and even right here on campus. Through service, our students live our key core values as “involved and engaged” citizens through the experiential learning opportunities that community service provides.

In my three years here, most students easily reach the requisite number of service hours, and many go well beyond it during their time at MPA. For example, the Class of 2025, collectively, has amassed a total of more than 3,600 hours (and counting)!

Each May, we host “Senior Service-Con” (the name inspired by the popular ComicCon), an event for members of the MPA and the surrounding community, in which seniors present their senior service projects. The Class of 2024 developed a mission statement for this event, which we have continued to use: “MPA’s Senior Service-Con creates a culture of service and communicates MPA’s values of volunteerism and community involvement. Meant to serve both MPA and external communities, Service-Con is an opportunity for seniors to demonstrate the importance of service.” What strikes me each year is the variety of projects, and this year’s crop is no different. Read More

The Class Of 2025 Finds Their Fit

May 8, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the May 8 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

In a few short months, MPA Panthers from the Class of 2025 will become Wildcats, Badgers, Huskies, Ducks, Bruins, Boilermakers, Lions, and more.

They’ll pursue programs and passions in majors like engineering, neuroscience, business, biology, music, political science, public policy, and game design. Many of them will also be competing in athletics for their new schools, continuing their contests in basketball, cross country, skiing, and rowing.

They’ll dream big and shake the world at institutions across the United States, coast to coast and beyond, landing in 13 different states and Rome, Italy. They’ll be everywhere from California to Massachusetts and Colorado to North Carolina. They’re landing in cities all around the country, like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. Read More

Navigating A Complex, Often Challenging Digital Landscape

May 1, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Looking for something to watch over spring break, I happened upon “Adolescence” on Netflix. Once I started watching it, I was hooked. Set in a northern English town, the series centers on 13-year-old Jamie Miller, who is arrested for the murder of a female classmate. The series delves deep into the psychological and social factors that could lead an ordinary teenager to commit such a heinous act. Rather than focusing on a traditional “whodunit” approach, “Adolescence” explores the “whydunit,” examining the influences of online radicalization, toxic masculinity, and societal neglect.

The four-part series is unsettling and deeply thought-provoking, shining a powerful light on some of the complex realities young people face today. While fictional, “Adolescence” captures an urgent truth: the internet is not just a place of harmless entertainment; it’s also shaping how young people see themselves, each other, and the world. “What struck me about the show is that it wasn’t really made for teens at all, but for us adults—to spark conversations about how easily young people can get lost in curated realities online,” said Dr. James Densley, MPA parent and internationally recognized criminologist, bestselling author, and thought leader on violence prevention. (James will be leading a discussion at MPA on Monday—see details below.)

One growing area of concern within the internet is the rise of the manosphere—a network of online spaces where young men and boys are often exposed to unhealthy, even harmful, ideas about masculinity, gender, and identity. What begins as advice about fitness, confidence, or success can quickly spiral into narratives that promote anger, blame, and misogyny. These messages are often hidden in gaming communities, social media influencers’ posts, and algorithm-driven content that adolescents encounter every day.

Come Sail With Us!

April 30, 2025

Students in first through sixth grade from Mounds Park Academy are invited to experience the excitement of sailing—for free—during a special introductory event hosted by White Bear Sailing School just for MPA!

The event will be held Saturday, June 7, from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at the White Bear Sailing School! Participants will have the opportunity to meet coaches, learn new skills, and get out on the water.

Sailing is offered at Mounds Park Academy as a club sport beginning in seventh grade, with activities in both the fall and spring. The club is coached and hosted by White Bear Sailing School.

White Bear Sailing School also offers a variety of summer camps for youth of all experience levels, ranging from beginner Opti camps for ages seven to 11, to advanced racing programs for teens up to age 18. Programs include all-day camps, learn-to-race sessions, and competitive race teams.

Students and families interested in participating in the June 7 event can sign up here! Or, if interested in a summer camp, find more information and register online by clicking here.