In the fall of 2026, Mounds Park Academy began an exciting new tradition to strengthen one of the things that makes our school so special: our sense of community.
Every member of the MPA community–students, faculty, and staff–belongs to one of four Houses: Aqua, Terra, Ignis, or Ventus.
More than just teams, our Houses are designed to create meaningful connections across grade levels, encourage mentorship, celebrate acts of kindness and leadership, and provide opportunities for students to learn, serve, and grow together. Through friendly competition, shared traditions, and regular House gatherings, our goal is that every student will experience an even stronger sense of belonging at MPA.
Purpose
- Build Community and Belonging: Create a sense of “family” within the larger school, ensuring every student feels valued and connected.
- Promote Character and Leadership Development: Encourage positive behaviors and provide older students with the opportunities to mentor younger ones and assume leadership roles.
- Foster Cross-Grade Interaction: Break down traditional grade-level silos and allow students to form bonds with peers of different ages.
- Encourage Healthy Competition: Use friendly rivalry through earning points for the house to increase engagement and participation in school activities.
Structure
- Vertical Grouping: Students from all grade levels (PreK-12) are assigned to one of four houses for their entire MPA career.
- Names and Color: Each house has a unique name and assigned colors: Aqua (blue); Terra (green); Ignis (yellow); and Ventus (gray).
- Faculty Involvement: Staff members are also sorted into houses, participating alongside students to model culture and provide mentorship.
- Meetings and Events: Regular house assemblies and school-wide events are held to build camaraderie, allow for student-led activities (like chants or cheers), and reinforce MPA’s mission and values.
