January 29, 2026
State of the Middle School: Growing, Connecting, Exploring from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
As we reach the midpoint of the school year, our division directors are pausing to reflect on what is thriving, what is evolving, and what lies ahead. These updates reflect the unique character of each division and, together, highlight the shared commitment to learning, belonging, and growth that defines Mounds Park Academy. Watch for a state of the school report with a PreK-12 perspective from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school, in next week’s Panther Post.
As I reflect on the year so far, I continue to be inspired by the energy, curiosity, and joy your children bring to Mounds Park Academy’s Middle School each day. Serving 165 students in grades five through eight, our division is a vibrant, student-centered community where intellectual exploration, personal growth, and joyful learning come together in meaningful ways. I’m grateful every day to partner with you as we support the growth of your young adolescents—academically, socially, and emotionally. While it has been a challenging year with a lot going on outside of school, we are so fortunate to have such a safe, inclusive, and joyful school where our middle schoolers can learn and grow.
A Well-Rounded, Engaging Academic Experience
One of the aspects I am most proud of is the richness of our Middle School curriculum. Every student takes art, drama, English, health, math, music, physical education, science, social studies, and world language—every year, in every grade. This ensures that students develop wide-ranging skills and the confidence to try new things. Our concerts and project presentations have been a joy to experience, and our faculty continue to collaborate to create meaningful, authentic experiences for our students.
Our daily structure is intentionally designed to support balance. Students love having a 50-minute lunch and recess period and a 30-minute Flex period, which supports homework completion, clubs, extra help from teachers, and music lessons. This Flex period was restructured and enhanced this year, moving it from the Panther Center to our Family Commons, creating an intentional and productive space and allowing us to add many more clubs. We now have more than 30 extracurricular opportunities—from robotics and sailing to quiz bowl and D&D club!
A Community Where Every Student Is Known and Supported
Relationships are at the heart of our work. It is critically important to me that every student feels seen and supported at school, and I am proud of the deeply connected community we continue to build. Students form friendships across grade levels during recess, Flex, advisory, and school-wide activities. Our Middle School counselor, learning specialist, and administrative team strive to always be readily accessible to students and families, ensuring that support is always within reach.
Small class sizes, bi-weekly grade-level meetings, and a robust advisory program allow us to know each student well. Advisors meet daily with our fifth- and sixth-graders and every other day with our seventh- and eighth-graders, helping students develop executive functioning skills, build community, check in academically, grow socially, and engage in service learning.
High-Quality Teaching and Experiential Learning
I am continually impressed by the dedication and professionalism of our faculty. They bring a wide range of passions, backgrounds, and expertise to their work, and they consistently reflect on their teaching to meet students’ needs. Teachers engage in ongoing curriculum discussions, collaborate across departments, and pursue meaningful professional development.
Experiential learning is a defining feature of the Middle School program. i-Term remains a well-established and distinctive tradition, offering students the opportunity to spend a week immersed in a topic they are passionate about—often something outside a traditional classroom setting. Small, mixed-grade classes travel to approximately 20 local or international sites, connect with guest speakers, and share their learning during our end-of-week showcase. The joy, collaboration, and authentic learning that emerge during i-Term are truly special to witness, and this year promises to be an exciting one.
Ongoing Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
Equity and inclusion remain central to our mission. Faculty intentionally incorporate diverse perspectives into their curriculum and participate in professional development to deepen this work. We also have a group of Middle School faculty meeting as the Middle School DEIB committee to explore additional ways to connect, grow, and strengthen our work in this area. Their eagerness to continue learning speaks to the values that define our community.
Environmental Stewardship, Service, and Global Awareness
Our students continue to grow as thoughtful global citizens and environmental stewards. Through science programming, sustainability efforts, and projects like the Dream Big., Do Right. Advisory Challenge, students consider the impact they have on the world around them and explore meaningful ways to contribute to their communities.
Looking Ahead: Our Priorities for Continued Growth
While the Middle School is thriving, we remain committed to continuous improvement. In partnership with our faculty, we are focused on:
- deepening our understanding of the diverse needs of our teachers and teams;
- addressing time and staffing constraints that impact programming and planning;
- establishing more consistent expectations for student behavior and academic reporting;
- strengthening professional development so it is timely, focused, and aligned with strategic goals; and
- ensuring coherence and alignment across classrooms, departments, and routines.
Each of these priorities supports our ongoing dedication to balancing academic rigor with strong social-emotional support.
A Final Thought
Mounds Park Academy’s Middle School remains strong—grounded in caring relationships, enriched by exceptional programming, and guided by a clear commitment to student growth. With dedicated faculty, supportive families, and wonderfully curious students, we are well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of young adolescents today and in the years ahead.
Thank you for your partnership and trust. It is an honor to work with your children every day.
2026 MPA Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose
Join us for the 2026 MPA Spring Auction: Rooted In Purpose, on Friday, April 17, at the Lowlands in St. Paul! We look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate the mission we share and the people who make Mounds Park Academy such a special place. This joyful evening will bring together families, alumni, staffulty and friends to raise critical support for our school, all while enjoying great company, food, and a little fun along the way.
Sponsorships are now available. This is the perfect time to consider a Business or Family Sponsorship. Sponsorships include:
- admission to the event for two or more
- reserved priority seating
- access to our Sponsorship Pre-Party
- recognition across event materials
- interactive auction opportunities, depending on the level
- early access to our silent auction
- and the chance to underwrite tickets so our incredible staffulty can attend at no cost.
Family Sponsorships can be purchased here, and Business Sponsorships can be bought here.
We are committed to making this community-building event accessible to all. If ticket pricing presents a barrier to attending, please contact Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org to discuss reduced pricing options based on need.
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, January 30: MS G5 Music Share, 2:20-3 PM, Recital Hall
- Wednesday, February 4: LS/MS Navigating the Transition from Lower to Middle School, 2:15-3:15 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
- Thursday, February 5: LS/MS Evening Conferences, 3:30-8 PM
- Friday, February 6: No LS/MS Classes, Conferences
- Friday, February 6: LS/MS Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM,
- Sunday, February 8: MPA Family Open Gym, 1-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center, Register >
- Monday, February 9: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
- Tuesday, February 10: ISACS Parent Series – 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People, 6:30-7:30 PM, Virtual, Register >
- Wednesday, February 11: MS Meeting, 10-10:30 AM, Recital Hall
- Thursday, February 12: MPA PA MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
- Friday, February 13: No Classes, Professional Development, Panther Den Closed
- Monday, February 16: No Classes, Presidents’ Day, Panther Den Closed
- Wednesday, February 18: Celebration of Lunar New Year, 3:15-6 PM, Family Commons
