Upper School Archives

March 7, 2025

We are so fortunate to welcome international students from around the world to MPA through our International Student Program. A $10,200 per student stipend is paid to host families to cover the cost of room, board, and transportation from August to June. Typically, families host for at least one full year and sometimes for a student’s entire MPA experience. As you warmly welcome this student into your home, you will gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, a lifelong relationship with your students, and so much more.

If you are interested …
Contact Cory Becker-Kim, international student program director, at international@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5541. Get started on the host family application form here.

If you know someone outside our community who is interested …
Please share mpa.link/host with them. When they reach out, share your name, and become an approved host family, you will receive a $200 referral bonus in the form of a Visa gift card.

Thank you in advance for your interest and/or for recommending this opportunity to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Coming Together With Kindness, Generosity, And Community

March 6, 2025

from Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from members of the administrative team. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

When I started at Mounds Park Academy, it was the week of the 2016 MPA Spring Auction: Night at the Museum. I was immediately immersed in the energy and excitement of this incredible event. The development office buzzed with anticipation, but more than anything, I felt a profound sense of togetherness, the kind that defines MPA.

Experiencing my first Spring Auction was unlike anything I had been part of before. I was thrown into the whirlwind of planning, met incredible people, and saw firsthand what makes MPA so special. That night, I went home to my husband, Matt, and told him, “This is where I want to be.” That feeling of warmth, generosity, and joy has stayed with me ever since.

For me, the Spring Auction is, above all, about community. It is an evening where parents, alumni, employees, grandparents, and friends come together in celebration and support of our students and the future of MPA. It is a night filled with laughter, generosity, and the shared love we all have for this school. Read More

The Joy Of Being A PreK-12 Family

March 5, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 9 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

To close out the month of February, we gathered together in the Family Commons for “Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase.” The event was a wonderful reflection of connections forged between students of all ages–a distinctly PreK-12 experience.

Ahead of the event, students were immersed in research, combining prior knowledge with new findings and growing their appreciation and understanding. Older students mentored younger ones, guiding them through these discoveries, while they brought fresh perspectives that reminded us all of the joy in curiosity.

Then, the evening opened with a gallery-style viewing of student work displayed throughout campus. In Lower School, a model of the historic Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans and Basquiat-inspired artwork. In Middle School, educational videos describing biographies of influential inventors, scholars, activists, and artists. In Upper School, the halls were lined with a timeline of Black History in America. And so much more. Read More

Five Things To Know About MPA From Emily Baker

March 4, 2025

What five things do you need to know about MPA? MPA tenth grader Emily Baker is here to tell you. We’re so happy to see the campus pond and native gardens made her list!

1. Athletic teams are no-cut.

Don’t be afraid to join a team; MPA welcomes all skill levels! Whether you’ve been playing for years or just starting out, there’s a place for you. I’ve made so many amazing friends on the soccer team and have grown so much as a player.

2. Student ambassadors are here to help.

As the Middle School representative on our student ambassador leadership team, I get to help welcome new students and make their transition to MPA as smooth and fun as possible. It’s such a great way to connect with others and make everyone feel at home!

3. We have a lot of school spirit.

MPA is all about lifting each other up. This photo captures the amazing turnout at our last Homecoming soccer game, an early morning match where the community’s energy helped push us to a dub! Read More

Upper School Division News February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
Friday, February 28: G3-G12 SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Friday, February 28: US SnoDaze Student Body Event, 3:15-5 PM, Lansing Sports Center
Tuesday, March 4: MS/US Girls Basketball Banquet, 5:30-7 PM, Family Commons
Monday, March 10-Friday, March 21: No Classes, Spring Break

Research consistently demonstrates that fostering a strong sense of community within a high school setting is beneficial for students social-emotional development, academic achievement, and overall well-being. According to a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology, “schools with robust community-building programs report a noticeable (32%) increase in student engagement and academic performance (28%).” These findings show that students in schools with strong community programs demonstrated increased empathy and more positive attitudes toward their education.

The development of meaningful relationships within the school community creates a foundation of trust that extends beyond the classroom walls. When students from different grade levels interact through structured (or unstructured) activities, mentorship programs, and shared experiences, they develop valuable social skills and meaningful connections. Recently, MPA held its annual Reading Pairing Assembly, where Upper School students were assigned to spend time and build relationships with younger students. The buzz throughout the halls of the building was infectious as students of different grade levels read each other books, played games, or worked to create Mad Lib stories. These interactions helped to break down the traditional barriers between grade levels, allowing the older students to serve as role models and show leadership while giving the younger students a sense of belonging. Read More

Navigating an Uncertain Future: Preparing Our Students to Thrive in a Changing World

February 26, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we step into 2025, we do so in a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty. The latest World Economic Forum Global Risks Report paints a sobering picture of the challenges ahead—rising geopolitical tensions, rapid technological disruptions, environmental instability, and a growing crisis of misinformation. For us as educators and parents, this begs an essential question: How do we best prepare our children not only to navigate this landscape but to flourish within it?

At MPA, we believe that preparing students for the future is not about predicting what’s to come but about equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to adapt, innovate, and lead with purpose. It is about fostering critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and confident problem solvers—young people who are ready to embrace the world rather than retreat from it.

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than truth, helping our students develop critical thinking and media literacy is one of the most important responsibilities we have. Today’s children are bombarded with information from countless sources—social media, news outlets, influencers, and AI-generated content. Learning to question, analyze, and discern fact from fiction is a fundamental skill they will need for life. Read More

Wyatt Srsen ’25 Becomes Boys Basketball All-Time Leading Scorer

February 26, 2025

Congratulations to Wyatt Srsen ’25, MPA’s new all-time leading scorer for boys basketball! Srsen passed the threshold of 1,303 during the Panthers contest versus United Christian Academy on Tuesday, February 25.

Now sitting alone at the top of the MPA boys scoring list, Wyatt took a second to reflect on what the accomplishment signifies to him.

“The scoring record means a lot to me, but it’s just a small fraction of what basketball truly means to me and how it has shaped me as both a player and a leader,” Wyatt said. “It stands as a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in over the past four years. I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, teammates, and coaches.”

“A Remarkable Community”

February 26, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the February 26 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

“MPA is a remarkable community filled with love, compassion, and a genuine interest in the well-being of not only the students but the entire family. While the facilities and academics are extremely impressive, the MPA experience extends far beyond the classrooms. From hallway smiles and community events to check-in emails and sincere gratitude, it’s an environment unlike any I’ve seen. We will be forever grateful our family was welcomed into the MPA family.” –MPA parent review on Niche.com.

Hearing stories like this never fails to make our day. Though this parent’s words are personal, their experience is not singular. Anyone at MPA will tell you that one of the best parts of our school is the joyful, welcoming, family feel. In fact, community, not just a school, is what so many of our students and families come to MPA looking for. Read More

Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Co-op Takes On State

February 25, 2025

Ending a strong season, the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics team took third place at the Class AA state team competition, held on Friday, February 21, at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul! The team scored 146.25 to earn the bronze medal, just behind state champion Owatonna and runner-up New Prague.

The team wasn’t done there, however, as the following night saw Delaney Cunnington ’25 claim some individual hardware of her own! To cap off her high school career, Delaney’s busy day during the state individual competition was highlighted by a runner-up spot for her floor routine that netted her a score of 9.575!

Delaney’s day, once it was all said and done, contained a fourth-place finish on the beam (9.35), a fifth-place spot for vault (9.525), and 31st on the uneven bars (8.65). The combined scores pushed Delaney to a total of 37.15, good enough for fourth in all-around!

We are beyond proud of the showings turned in by Delaney and the rest of the Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha co-op! The high-level performance of the team matched the representation by the athletes for their respective schools.

One Teacher, One Conversation, One Opportunity

February 20, 2025

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Delivering a senior performance is a graduation requirement at MPA that I treasure. Each one is unique, thoughtful, and deeply personal. While this tradition is a valuable exercise in public speaking, it is, more importantly, a pivotal opportunity for self-reflection. Throughout their preparations, students confront their own growth, challenges, and transformations, fostering a deeper sense of self-awareness and often realizing how much they have changed along the way.

Senior performances don’t just impact the students delivering them—they resonate throughout the entire community. They strengthen school culture by reinforcing values, traditions, and a sense of belonging. They inspire younger students by putting growth, confidence, and resilience on full display. They foster empathy and compassion as teachers, peers, leaders, and families gain a deeper understanding of each student’s unique experiences and perspectives. They also serve as reminders that growth is often uncomfortable and that meaningful change happens when students are held to high standards in a supportive environment. I try to attend every senior performance, and one delivered recently by Wyatt Srsen ’25 profoundly illustrates the journey of self-discovery and transformation that can happen in a positive school community.

With his permission, I am sharing his performance, in its entirety, below. Spoiler alert: grab a tissue!

Growing up, I was a persistent student who found school simple and straightforward. Elementary school came and went without a challenge, and then came middle school, which was more of the same. Despite a few hiccups here and there, middle school passed me by quickly and without any real problems. I had an abundance of friends and good grades, and I never struggled in school. This was all true until COVID-19 hit. I lost connections with friends; my grades struggled more than ever as I struggled to find motivation while being stuck at home with no real human interaction. Seeing this, my parents decided it was time for a change. The public school system wasn’t supportive or challenging, so they thought that private school was the best route for me to become a better student. Despite my efforts to stay with my friends and continue on the same education path, my family ended up deciding that Mounds Park Academy was the place for me. Read More