May 21, 2026
from Paul Errickson, Middle School director
It is hard to believe that this is my last Panther Post of the school year. Are we really wrapping this school year up in the next two weeks? This year has been filled with so much joy; it is hard to capture it all in one post. One of the things I am most proud of is the fact that every Middle School student was able to “Dream Big” or “Do Right” this year through our Dream Big, Do Right Advisory Challenge.
This year, we made sure to meet, as a Middle School, once or twice a month in our Middle School Meetings. This time was meant to bring us together as a community, reflect on the year, and have students make announcements and share their work—from poetry to prose, persuasive speeches about homework and music performances, we had play previews and presentations from our BIPOC group about monthly cultural celebrations. One constant throughout our Middle School Meetings was the Dream Big, Do Right Advisory Challenge. Each meeting, a new advisory was chosen to do something for our MPA or the broader Twin Cities community, either by dreaming big or doing right.
Our Middle Schoolers did an amazing job with this challenge. We had advisories dreaming big by raising funds for Feed My Starving Children and smattering our hallways and lockers with words of affirmation, doing right by bringing a dance party and games into our Middle School Meetings, and creating goodie bags with personalized notes for our seniors during their last week of school. In the Middle School this year, every student can say that they did something special for someone else. They worked to make others feel included, and they went out of their way to help out in their teachers’ classrooms. One of our advisories even designed and sewed MPA skirts for the auction, made from upcycled MPA gear.
Over our final two weeks, we still have a lot to look forward to. Next week, we will have our Middle School Field Day on Thursday afternoon and our Adventure Day—the canoe trip for fifth and sixth grade and the seventh- and eighth-grade Valley Fair performance—on Friday. The following week brings our final few days of school, with our Middle School Moving Up Ceremony on Tuesday, June 2, at 1:30 PM, and our yearbook ceremony in the morning of a half-day on Wednesday, June 3. After our time with students wraps up, we will gather final transcripts and MAP scores and mail them off to you around the middle of June.
The MPA Difference Is Meant to Be Shared
The most meaningful way new families discover Mounds Park Academy is through you. When you share your experience—whether with friends, neighbors, or colleagues—you offer an authentic glimpse into what makes this community so special.
As a small gesture of thanks, MPA offers a referral program for current families. When a new student applies based on your recommendation, you’ll receive a $250 tuition credit for the following year. If that student is accepted and enrolls, you’ll receive an additional $250 credit. There is no limit to the number of referrals, and credits can add up quickly. One family last year received more than $2,000 in tuition credits!
If someone in your circle is exploring schools, we would be grateful for the introduction. You can connect them directly with our team at admission@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5577—we will take it from there. Space remains in select grades!
Thank you for being such a powerful part of how our community remains strong.
Mark Your Calendars
- Friday, May 22: MS G7 Washington, D.C. Trip
- Friday, May 22: PreK-12 MPA Spirit Wear Day
- Friday, May 22: US Senior Walk, 1-1:45 PM, MPA Campus (Door 1 to Door 4)
- Monday, May 25: No Classes, Memorial Day
- Monday, May 25: Panther Club/Den Closed
- Tuesday, May 26: Volunteer Breakfast, 8:30-9:30 AM, Family Commons
- Thursday, May 28: MS Field Day, 12:30-3 PM, Varsity Field
- Friday, May 29: MS G 5/6 Canoe Trip, 8 AM-3 PM, Off Campus
- Friday, May 29: MS G 7/8 Music Trip to Valley Fair, 8 AM-3 PM, Off Campus
- Tuesday, June 2: MS/US End of Quarter 4
- Tuesday, June 2: LS/MS G4 & G8 Moving Up Ceremony, 1:30-3 PM, Nicholson Center
- Wednesday, June 3: Last Day of School/Early Release, No Afterschool Panther Club/Den, No Afterschool PreK Panther
- Wednesday, June 3: Yearbook Assembly, 8:15-9:15 AM, Nicholson Center
- Wednesday, June 3: Early Release, 10:15-10:30 AM
- Wednesday, June 3: MS End of Year Party, 12:30-2:30 PM, Urban Air (Coon Rapids), RSVP >
