The Mounds Park Academy's Early Childhood program provides a flexible, family-friendly, and developmentally appropriate foundation for children beginning at age three through kindergarten. As the only PreK–12 school in Minnesota—and the only independent school in the state—to earn accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), MPA offers one of the very best early childhood experiences in Minnesota.

Starting with the 2027-28 school year, MPA's Early Childhood program will include two distinct classrooms designed to meet children where they are developmentally:

• Preschool for children beginning at age three
• PreKindergarten for children in the year immediately preceding kindergarten

This two-classroom model allows teachers to provide experiences tailored to each stage of development while maintaining the warm, nurturing environment that has defined MPA's Early Childhood program since its inception in 2005.

At MPA, learning begins with wonder. Children explore, create, collaborate, and discover in an environment designed to foster confidence, curiosity, independence, and joy. As part of a vibrant PreK-12 community, our youngest learners benefit from exceptional teachers, small class sizes, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to engage with the broader life of the school.

MPA's Approach To Early Childhood Education

Our Early Childhood program supports the intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development of young children through joyful, purposeful learning experiences. Guided by NAEYC standards and developmentally appropriate practice, our educators recognize that children learn best through active exploration, meaningful relationships, play, and discovery.

At MPA, children are viewed as capable, curious, and active participants in their own learning. Teachers create environments that encourage children to ask questions, solve problems, take risks, develop independence, and build confidence in themselves and their abilities.

Rooted in MPA's mission to prepare students to dream big and do right, the following principles guide our Early Childhood program:

• Every child is known, valued, and supported through warm, nurturing relationships.
• Learning experiences support cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
• Curriculum provides both structure and flexibility, allowing teachers to respond to the unique needs and interests of individual children.
• Concept knowledge is presented in integrated, meaningful ways that connect learning across disciplines.
• Classrooms are safe, welcoming, engaging environments that foster belonging and exploration.
• Families receive regular communication, feedback, and assessment information through conferences, written summaries, and student portfolios.
• Literacy development is supported through rich language experiences and exposure to high-quality children's literature.
• Guided play, collaboration, and hands-on exploration help children develop critical social and emotional skills.

Because MPA serves students from age three through grade 12 on a single campus, children begin building a sense of belonging from their very first day of school. The confidence, curiosity, and love of learning developed during the Early Childhood years provide a strong foundation for future success throughout their educational journey.

Campus & Learning Environment

Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed to inspire exploration, creativity, collaboration, and independence. Learning spaces include art and writing centers, sensory experiences, dramatic play, building and engineering materials, literacy areas, math manipulatives, quiet reading spaces, and small-group learning environments.

As members of a PreK-12 community, Early Childhood students enjoy opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. Students participate in age-appropriate school traditions and community-building experiences, including character education activities, Lower School gatherings, special events, performances, and campus celebrations.

Families are also welcomed into the life of the school through parent education opportunities, volunteer experiences, community events, athletics, performing arts, Book Festival, and many other programs that make MPA such a vibrant community.

School Year Program Details

MPA’s Early Childhood program features small class sizes, low student-to-teacher ratios, and the flexibility families need. Beginning in the 2027–28 school year, the program will include two dedicated classrooms: a Preschool classroom for children beginning at age three and a PreKindergarten classroom for children in the year immediately preceding kindergarten.

As the program grows, MPA anticipates welcoming up to 12 students in the Preschool classroom and up to 20 students in the PreKindergarten classroom while maintaining the low student-to-teacher ratio that families expect at MPA. On average, the teacher-to-student ratio at MPA is 1:7, which is a hallmark of the independent school experience.

The Early Childhood program allows for both full- and part-time students. Classes meet from 8 AM to 3 PM Monday through Friday, following the MPA school calendar. Tuition includes lunch, before-school care beginning at 7:30 AM, and after-school care until 5:30 PM, as needed by families.

Financial assistance is available beginning in kindergarten. Students must be fully independent in the restroom to be enrolled in MPA’s Early Childhood program. The program is licensed by Minnesota’s Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Licensing and evaluated in writing annually by our staff.

Summer Program Details

Summer PreK keeps the school year program's small class sizes, continues the 1:7 teacher to student ratio and incorporates the same joyful, active programming offered during the school year, but with significantly more time dedicated to outdoor adventures. Students spend much of the day outside developing an appreciation for nature, building gross motor skills, engaging in social emotional growth and honing character development, both on MPA's 32 acre campus and beyond. Summer at PreK students must be 36 months by July 1 and fully independent in the restroom.

Early Childhood Admission Process

The admission process is made up of a series of steps that will help us get to know students who are considering Mounds Park Academy. We also encourage families to join us on campus for a variety of events throughout the year as that is the best way to learn about all of the wonderful opportunities Mounds Park Academy has to offer.