Admission

`Welcome` Home

Thank you for your interest in Mounds Park Academy, a PreK–12 private school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. As you begin exploring MPA—the #2 ranked private school in the state—you’ll discover a community where students are challenged, supported, and encouraged to think deeply about the world around them. Here, a rigorous college-preparatory experience is designed to be demanding but not draining, and learning extends far beyond memorization.

Throughout your exploration, we hope you begin to see what makes MPA distinctive: a school where curiosity is celebrated, relationships matter, and students are encouraged to grow not only as learners, but as thoughtful and confident individuals.

`Begin` Your Journey

We’re so excited to get to know your family. To begin your journey:

Request information: A member of the admission team will follow up with helpful information and a personal invitation to visit campus.
Schedule a tour: An on-campus or virtual tour is one of the best ways to experience MPA. Both options are offered by appointment.
Start an application: Whenever you feel that MPA might be the right fit for your family, you are welcome to begin the application process at any time.

When you have questions along the way, please contact the Office of Admission via email or by phone. We're here for you as you explore MPA!

REQUEST INFORMATION

RSVP Or Schedule A Tour

Apply

`Meet` The Team

Natalie Waters Seum

Director of Enrollment Strategy and Communication

Email
Phone

Alli Capasso

Assistant Director of Admission, Middle and Upper School

Email
Phone

Cindy Mori

Interim Admission Manager

Email
Phone

Jennifer Jasinski

PreK Program and Admission Manager

Email
Phone

`Admission` Process

The admission process at Mounds Park Academy is designed as a series of steps that help us get to know the students and families considering our community. At the same time, each step offers an opportunity for you to learn more about MPA and determine whether it is the right fit for your family. From the moment you inquire, you will work with a single member of the admission team who will guide you through the process and answer questions along the way.

Pre-Kindergarten (3+)
Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75) Family Conversation with Division Director and Admission (only required for applicants between the ages of 3 and 3 1/2 at the time they begin at MPA) Meet & Greet with Admission staff (during a tour, Family Conversation, or other scheduled time) Records from Current School (if applicable) Recommendation Form (completed by primary teacher, if applicable) Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Pre-Kindergarten (3+)

Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75)
Family Conversation with Division Director and Admission (only required for applicants between the ages of 3 and 3 1/2 at the time they begin at MPA)
Meet & Greet with Admission staff (during a tour, Family Conversation, or other scheduled time)
Records from Current School (if applicable)
Recommendation Form (completed by primary teacher, if applicable)
Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Kindergarten
Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75) Mini K Admission Day (registration available within Ravenna) Records from Current School (current year plus two years prior, if applicable) Recommendation Form (completed by primary teacher, if applicable) Recommendation Form (completed by any other, non-related individual) Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Grades 1-4
Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75) Parent Conversation with Admission and Division Director Shadow Visit and Individual Student Activity (required for grades 2-4) On-Campus Assessment (only if requested by Admission) Records from Current School (current year report card, two prior years of transcripts, and most recent standardized test results, if applicable) Recommendation Form (completed by primary teacher) Recommendation Form (completed by any other, non-related individual) Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Grades 1-4

Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75)
Parent Conversation with Admission and Division Director
Shadow Visit and Individual Student Activity (required for grades 2-4)
On-Campus Assessment (only if requested by Admission)
Records from Current School (current year report card, two prior years of transcripts, and most recent standardized test results, if applicable)
Recommendation Form (completed by primary teacher)
Recommendation Form (completed by any other, non-related individual)
Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Grades 5-8
Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75) Family Conversation with Admission and Division Director Shadow Visit (strongly encouraged) Records from Current School (current year report card, two prior years of transcripts, and most recent standardized test results, if applicable) Recommendation Form (from a current English teacher) Recommendation Form (from a current math teacher) Recommendation Form (optional, by any additional, non-related individual) Student Response Form Writing Sample Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Grades 5-8

Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75)
Family Conversation with Admission and Division Director
Shadow Visit (strongly encouraged)
Records from Current School (current year report card, two prior years of transcripts, and most recent standardized test results, if applicable)
Recommendation Form (from a current English teacher)
Recommendation Form (from a current math teacher)
Recommendation Form (optional, by any additional, non-related individual)
Student Response Form
Writing Sample
Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Grades 9-12
Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75) Family Conversation with Admission and Division Director Shadow Visit (strongly encouraged) Records from Current School (current year report card, two prior years of transcripts, and most recent standardized test results, if applicable) Recommendation Form (from a current English teacher) Recommendation Form (from a current math teacher) Recommendation Form (optional, by any additional, non-related individual) Student Response Form Writing Sample Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Grades 9-12

Online Admission Application & Application Fee ($75)
Family Conversation with Admission and Division Director
Shadow Visit (strongly encouraged)
Records from Current School (current year report card, two prior years of transcripts, and most recent standardized test results, if applicable)
Recommendation Form (from a current English teacher)
Recommendation Form (from a current math teacher)
Recommendation Form (optional, by any additional, non-related individual)
Student Response Form
Writing Sample
Divorce and/or Legal Documentation (if applicable)

Admission Timeline and Philosophy

`MPA News and Blog`

Thu, 06 Aug 2026

What Makes An MPA Education Different?
Mon, 27 Jul 2026

The Importance Of The Family Experience
Sun, 19 Jul 2026

Building Belonging From The Earliest Stage
Wed, 08 Jul 2026

MPA Speech: A Place To Find Your Voice

Upcoming `Events`

Admission Application Opens

All Day

Taste Of Ninth Grade

11 AM-12:15 PM

PreK-12 MPA Preview

12:30-2 PM

Welcome and Wonder: What Lower School Children Need Now

8:30-10:30 AM

Mon, 17 Aug 2026

Homecoming: September 22-26, 2026

Make plans to attend Homecoming 2026 this September for community-wide events. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back to campus.
Sun, 16 Aug 2026

Lower and Middle School VIP Day: October 14, 2026

We are excited to celebrate the special relationships between our students and the very important people in their lives!
Sat, 15 Aug 2026

Fall Campaign: November 15-20, 2026

Our fall campaign is the most critical fundraising effort of the year. During this time, we encourage everybody to give in whatever capacity they are able. Gifts to the MPA Fund have a direct impact on the daily experiences of our students.
Fri, 14 Aug 2026

Give to the Max Day: November 19, 2026

Last year, thanks to the generosity of our community of donors, MPA raised more than $350,000! On this year's Give to the Max Day, we hope to capture the same momentum. Thank you for making this day a huge success!