Mounds Park Academy

Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha Co-op Heads To State

February 20, 2025

The Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha gymnastics co-op is once again returning to the state meet after winning the Section 4AA team title! The team vaulted to the title for the second straight year, holding off the second-place White Bear Lake by a 143.80 to 141.65 margin.

Delaney Cunnington ’25, a reigning state champion on the uneven bars, again starred for the co-op. Delaney sprang to the all-around title for the meet, totaling 38.225 to advance individually to the state meet. The scoring led her to collect first place on bars and floor while claiming second place for beam and vault. The performances also send Delaney to compete individually in all four events.

Marching on to the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul for the state competition, it will be a busy weekend for the co-op. Cretin/MPA/Minnehaha will first compete in the team championships starting at 6 PM on Friday, February 21, followed the next day by individual and all-around championships, again starting at 6 PM.

Good luck to Delaney and the rest of the team! Tickets to the state competition can be bought here.

MPA All-State And Honors Music Updates

February 20, 2025

Congratulations to Truman Wilgocki ’26, Chali Yang ’26, and Warner Reid ’26, who performed with the All-State Choirs over the weekend! Truman and Chali were members of the Tenor-Bass Choir, while Warner sang with the Mixed Choir.

They auditioned and were selected for membership, attended a week-long camp this past summer, and had a reunion concert at Orchestra Hall. Truman, Chali, and Warner gave a beautiful, expressive, joy-filled performance. All three are members of the MPA Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers.

Finnley Henrikssen-Myers ’28 also had a big weekend singing in the State 9-10 Honor Choir! Finnley auditioned last fall and was selected to be a member of the Tenor-Baritone-Bass Choir under the direction of Marques L.A. Garrett. Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Emily Kang!

February 20, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Emily Kang! Ms. Kang will take over as the part-time school nurse, pairing with Ms. Deb Stone, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
For the past 10 years, I’ve been at home with our kids.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I worked as a (primarily) pediatric CRNA at M Health Fairview and as a NICU nurse.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I graduated from MPA in 1996 and attended K-12 here. Now, two of our four children are enrolled—one in fourth grade and another in first grade. MPA was like a second home to me, so when the opportunity arose, I volunteered to fill a need. Now, I’m proud to be on staff as an RN in the health office, helping serve the community. We are deeply grateful for the incredible educators here who spend so much time with our children and work alongside us daily to help shape them into kind, strong humans.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I hope to support the students and staff so that educators can focus on teaching and students can engage in joyful learning.
Read More

Five Things To Know About MPA From Robin H.

February 19, 2025

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a Middle School student at MPA? Let Robin walk you through the top five things he thinks everyone should know about MPA, from his perspective as a seventh-grader!

1. MPA has an amazing theatre program.

Every year, there are many wonderful drama performances and I have participated in them. These performances are not only fun but also a great learning experience. During the last performance, I worked as a lighting technician and the teacher taught us a lot of useful skills. The whole process of performing was really enjoyable!

2. MPA’S robotics team is excellent.

Middle School students participate in the FTC robotics competition, while Upper School students compete in the FRC robotics competition. Our teams have achieved great results in these competitions. I love exploring, designing, and building robots with my teammates. It’s a fantastic experience of collaboration and innovation!

3. We have all-school assemblies.

My favorite MPA school-wide event is SnoDaze! One of the most fun activities during the assembly is when students got to slap whipped cream on teachers’ faces. It’s always hilarious and so much fun! This is one of the events I look forward to the most every year! Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Deb Stone!

February 19, 2025

Welcome to MPA, Ms. Deb Stone! Nurse Deb will be the part-time school nurse, pairing with Ms. Emily Kang, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I was the school nurse at Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley for the last three years.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have a BA in Nursing from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA appealed to me because of the student population, PreK-12. I really enjoy working with students of all ages, and I missed working at my last school, which was only 11-12.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
As a school nurse, I see my role as a support person to support all students and staff so the students can be as successful as they can be on their education journey here at MPA. In addition to supporting students with their health needs, I also strive to create a peaceful environment in the health office where everyone feels welcome and safe.
Read More

Welcome Home, International Students!

February 18, 2025

Last week, we hosted a live event with FindingSchools to give international students and families an inside look at MPA, including a virtual tour, international student college matriculation, and more. View the event recording here! Please note that this event is recorded in English and Chinese, but our FindingSchools profile can also be viewed in Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese.

MPA’s International Student Program is comprehensive and student-centered, allowing our International Student Program director and our faculty and staff to best support our international students in all aspects of their academic and personal lives. Our international students are able to fully experience American culture and live with their host families while having a nurturing and supportive academic experience. Read More

MPA Alpine, Nordic Skiers Compete At State!

February 18, 2025

Congratulations to the MPA boys Nordic ski team, which took third place as a team during the state meet held at Giants Ridge!

The Panthers were led by Eddie Snider ’25, who paced the pack with a third-place finish in the boys pursuit. Eddie was followed by Eli Andre ’26 (17th), Soren Winikoff ’26 (20th), Max Francois ’28 (104th), and Brennen Schertz ’25 (109th). Ansel Streier ’26 and Carter Short ’27 combined to take 16th in the team sprint.

Representing the girls side of the team, Megan Snider ’27 took home 33rd.

We are so incredibly proud of our Panthers! Earning the placement was a true team effort, reflected in the countless hours and hard work dedicated to the sport. Read More

MPA Closed Tuesday, February 18

February 17, 2025

Dear MPA Community –

I have been closely monitoring the forecast, and all classes, activities, practices, and events are canceled on Tuesday, February 18 due to the predicted low temperatures.

This is not a decision we take lightly as we balance the safety of our students and families with the commitment that we make to our students’ time in class. Safety, however, is always our highest priority.

We look forward to seeing you on campus on Wednesday!

Dr. Bill Hudson
Head of School

Join Us For Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase

February 13, 2025

Join us for Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase as we come together as a community to celebrate Black history, culture, and contributions in a powerful and engaging way on Thursday, February 27, from 4:30-6:30 PM in the Family Commons! Throughout February, students across all divisions will explore themes of fun facts (Lower School), innovations (Middle School), and legacy (Upper School), leading up to an incredible school-wide presentation.

On February 27, the school will open at 3:15 PM for visitors to tour the building and experience the incredible projects and displays created by our students. Then, at 4:30 PM, we’ll transition into a New Orleans jazz club experience for our showcase, featuring live music from Monique Blakey & The Experience and hosted by Pierre Douglas, a Twin Cities comedy staple known for his appearance on Comedy Central’s Hart of the City.

Guests will also enjoy authentic New Orleans cuisine prepared by Chef Ronnie. The celebration will conclude at 6:30 PM.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! You won’t want to miss this unforgettable event! Please contact Eddie Grant, assistant director of equity and belonging, at egrant@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions.

Parents Association News And Events February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

MPA PA Grade Reps are seeking contributions to support the school! The 2025 MPA Spring Auction: Gala of Gratitude is just around the corner, and those of you who have been part of the MPA community in past years will remember that, traditionally, each grade collects funds for a Spring Auction basket. However, this year, there’s a slight change!

Instead of grade baskets, this year, grade-level contributions will sponsor one or more Live Auction items listed as Lower, Middle, or Upper School Sponsored Package. By pooling resources, our collective donations will help purchase an exciting consignment package to be auctioned live at the event and have an even greater impact!

This is a fantastic opportunity for our grade-level communities to come together and make a big difference for MPA students and programs while supporting this important fundraising event. We’d love your help!

Please look for an auction email from your designated grade reps or contact PA@moundsparkacademy.org, and we will connect with you. Thank you!