It’s a special day this Saturday at MPA.  We get to reveal to the public at our Admission Open House what MPA families take for granted:  The great teachers and programs that make ours the unique school that it is.

I first visited MPA six years ago this fall, and I am still amazed at what I see here every day.  There is a spirit and energy that almost defies description – a true joy of learning that comes from a delicate balance between opportunity and challenge, between freedom and responsibility.

I see this most clearly in MPA students, and after six years I have begun to see the long-term growth that our students experience over a “lifetime” at MPA.  Whether it’s this year’s seniors, who were in the seventh grade during my first year, or today’s seventh graders, who were in the second grade that first year, the impact of the MPA experience is profound.

I have sometimes asked older MPA students what effect they think MPA has had on them over the years.  “If you could attribute something in your character or personality to your MPA experience, what would it be?”  I usually ask.

“It’s really true,” some of them will say,” MPA really does teach us how to think, not what to think.”  Or, “I’ve learned to be more open to other people’s ideas,” others will say, or “it really is OK here to pursue your passion, even if it is different from what others are interested in….it’s OK to be myself.”

Schools often talk about the importance of respect.  I actually think that respect is a huge part of what makes MPA such a special place.  Kids here are truly respected for who they are and expected to develop into individuals with a strong sense of self.  We believe, at MPA, that everyone is on an individual journey of self-discovery in the context of the larger community.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom” - Aristotle.  On Saturday, our community will welcome newcomers in for a visit, a chance to “know” us better, and to consider joining us on a journey of self-discovery.  For some, it will be the start of a lifelong journey.