A New Strategic Plan And What’s Ahead For MPA

October 22, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school The changing colors of the leaves, brisker winds, and shorter days remind me that the school year is well underway. The fall months seem to pass especially quickly, filled with opportunities to gather, celebrate, and connect. Family conferences, VIP Day, and our Latine Heritage Month Assembly and Celebration are just a few examples of the meaningful experiences we've shared over the past several weeks. It was wonderful to see so many of you participating in these events, strengthening the relationships and sense of belonging that make our close-knit MPA community so special.

Recently, I had the opportunity to join our ninth-grade students for a seminar led by Elizabeth Carver of Phoenix School Counseling on anxiety and stress. Alongside the students, I learned about three categories of stress: positive, tolerable, and toxic. Ms. Carver encouraged students to identify three core values that guide their decision-making and consider how they might respond to moments of stress or anxiety in ways that align with those values. She also emphasized that supportive relationships are among the most important buffers in helping young people navigate stress and anxiety.

I am reminded of how fortunate we are to have resources and experiences that support our students as they learn about themselves and grow into young adults. Just as importantly, I was also reminded of the power of relationships. The connections our students develop with teachers, peers, and families provide a foundation of trust and support that helps them navigate life's unexpected challenges, develop confidence, and build resilience. These relationships are at the heart of what makes the MPA experience so impactful.

I warmly encourage you to attend Ms. Carver's upcoming presentation as part of our CITL Distinguished Speaker Series, All Storms Run Out of Rain: How to Support and Love Your Child Into Their Best Selves, on Wednesday, October 28, at 1:45 PM in the Recital Hall (RSVP here). Invite a friend. All are welcome! This will not be recorded, but will be summarized in a future communication. 

The importance of relationships was also on my mind earlier this month when I had the pleasure of speaking at our Parents Association meeting. I continue to be amazed by the countless ways adults throughout our community generously share their time and talent to enrich student experiences and support MPA's programs. To our Parents Association and the many volunteers who make these opportunities possible, thank you. Your dedication is a wonderful reflection of the care and commitment we have for one another and the shared responsibility we embrace in caring for our students.

During the meeting, I also had the opportunity to share several exciting developments that demonstrate our continued investment in MPA’s students, programs, and future.

• Early Childhood Program: Our new preschool classroom is nearly complete! We are excited to expand our year-round, NAEYC-accredited Early Childhood Program and welcome more of our youngest learners (aka “Originals In The Making”) into the MPA community. This expansion represents another opportunity to nurture curiosity, foster meaningful relationships, and establish a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
• Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning and Panther Center: It was a pleasure to share the latest architectural drawings for the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning (CITL) and the reimagined Panther Center. These spaces are being thoughtfully designed to support students, faculty, and families. Plans include individual and small-group learning areas, additional offices and meeting spaces for faculty and staff to collaborate and work with students and families, and a movable wall that will allow the spaces to accommodate larger gatherings and events. The design also includes at least one new single-stall bathroom. We look forward to sharing more details through a dedicated CITL page on our website, coming soon. While additional fundraising remains necessary, we are hopeful that construction can begin this spring, with the spaces opening in winter 2028. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and enthusiasm that continue to move this vision forward.
• Strategic Planning: This year, MPA will embark on the development of a new strategic plan. We have partnered with Mission Minded, who will help guide this process and engage our community through on-site and virtual meetings throughout the year. A community-wide survey will also be distributed to gather perspectives and ideas. Working closely with Mission Minded, our Strategic Planning Team will review the feedback and develop a thoughtful plan for consideration and approval by the Board of Trustees. I am particularly excited about the opportunity for students, families, faculty, staff, and alumni to contribute their voices to this process. Our collective experiences, aspirations, and commitment to MPA will help pave the path forward. 
• ISACS Reaccreditation: Finally, our ISACS reaccreditation visit has been confirmed for February 7-10. During this visit, a team of approximately seven educators from schools across the ISACS consortium will review our self-study, meet with members of our school community, and provide initial feedback before departing. The final reaccreditation determination will be made later in the spring, following review by the ISACS Accreditation Committee. Beyond the reaccreditation process itself, this work provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on our practices, affirm our accomplishments, and identify ways to continue strengthening the MPA experience for our students. 

As I consider all that is happening across campus, I am reminded that the strength of MPA lies not only in our programs, facilities, and plans for the future, but in the people and relationships that bring our mission to life each day. It is through our collective care, commitment, and willingness to learn and grow together that we continue to make MPA such a special place.

I hope everyone has a positive end to their week and a peaceful weekend. As always, thank you for the many ways you contribute to our community and for your continued support of MPA.