At Mounds Park Academy, we know that for students to thrive, they must have opportunities to discover their passions and interests. Being involved in extra-curricular activities is expected and encouraged at MPA, and that has a profound effect on the culture and character of the school. In fact, MPA looks for students who aren’t afraid to jump in and explore new things. We know that students consistently perform better academically when they’re involved in other parts of the school. They develop broader groups of friends, greater self-confidence, and deeper levels of empathy and compassion. They become inspired by their experiences and unafraid of taking on new challenges.

Mounds Park Academy believes that physical education and competitive athletic programs complement the academic experience, which is why we offer one of the broadest prep school athletics programs in the Twin Cities. Many MPA coaches are teachers, and the fields and courts are extensions of their classrooms. We encourage each MPA student to participate and strive for excellence. Student athletes develop commitment, character, discipline, perseverance, initiative, leadership, cooperation, self-reliance, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Middle School Activities Spotlight

Middle School Gender And Sexualities Alliance embodies all things LGBTQ+ and beyond. The group meets weekly on Tuesdays to learn about, reflect, and discuss a wide range of topics relating to gender, sexuality, and events affecting members of the LGBTQ+ community. Topics covered this year so far include personal pronouns, gender identity and gender expression, as well as the gender unicorn from TSER (Trans Student Educational Resources). Recently, the group also discussed heteronormativity in advertisements and other media like movies and shows.

Middle School Social Change Club focuses on helping underrepresented people in the community and spreading awareness about issues affecting them. In the past, SCC has organized donation drives for organizations like Community Thread and Family Means, created hygiene kits for unhoused people, worked with Protect Minnesota, a gun violence prevention organization, and facilitated coat and toy drives for Shelter Care for kids in Minneapolis.

Middle School Quiz Bowl is a competitive academic activity modeled after the National College Bowl program where two teams compete to answer difficult questions from all areas of knowledge. Quiz Bowl matches feature a blend of individual competition and team collaboration. The Middle School Quiz Bowl team meets after school and has tournaments on the weekends.

Middle School Activities	Middle School Athletics
French Club Fiber Friends Magic The Gathering Club Maker Mondays Math Counts & Math Masters MS Gender And Sexualities Alliance Quiz Bowl Rowing Club * Sailing Club * Social Change Club Spring Musical Student Council Swim Club	Girls and Boys Alpine Ski * Boys Baseball Girls and Boys Basketball Girls and Boys Cross Country * Boys Football Girls Fastpitch Softball Girls and Boys Golf * Girls and Boys Nordic Ski * Girls and Boys Soccer Girls Swimming and Diving * Girls and Boys Tennis * Girls and Boys Track and Field Girls Volleyball
	* Indicates Upper School participation eligibility for seventh and eighth graders

If a student does not find an activity or club they love, they can create one of their own!