Lower School Division News December 5, 2024

LSWPfrom Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Wednesday, December 11: LS CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-8:45 AM, Family Commons
  • Friday, December 13: PreK-12 MPA Preview, 8:30-10 AM, Gallery & Martin Lenz Harrison Library
  • Wednesday, December 18: Mini K Admission Day, 8:30-9:30 AM, Martin Harrison Library & Makerspace
  • Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
  • Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break
  • Tuesday, December 24-Thursday, December 26: Panther Club & PreK Closed

I hope everyone enjoyed a peaceful Thanksgiving break and enjoyed the recent Founders’ Day Pancake Breakfast. We recently celebrated our November birthdays and welcomed Harvey the Reading Dog back to campus. Please read on for more information about the days ahead!

No Bad Weather, Only Bad Clothing
This is a kind reminder, if you haven’t already done so, to send your child to school with a heavy parka, hat/earmuffs, a scarf, and gloves/mittens daily to school. You may also wish to send snow boots and snow pants to school to keep in your child’s cubby/locker for those freezing recess times. We will be outside most days unless the weather (including windchill) is –10 degrees or colder. To participate in sledding during recess, students must wear snow boots and snow pants. Take a minute to stop by the Lower School office lost and found to see if your child’s snow gear is there!

Read More


Middle School Division News December 5, 2024

MSWPfrom Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars 

  • Tuesday, December 10: MS Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Gallery
  • Wednesday, December 11: MS G7/8 Affinity Group Meeting, 2:30-3 PM, Panther Center
  • Thursday, December 12: MPA PA MS Coffee and Cookies, 6-7 PM, Family Commons
  • Thursday, December 12: MS G6-8 Band, Orchestra, Vocal Concert, 7-8:30 PM, Nicholson Center
  • Friday, December 13: PreK-12 MPA Preview, 8:30-10 AM, Gallery & Martin Lenz Harrison Library
  • Monday, December 16: G7-12 Musical Auditions, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box & Choir Room
  • Tuesday, December 17: G7-12 Musical Auditions, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box & Choir Room
  • Wednesday, December 18: G7-12 Musical Callbacks, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box
  • Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
  • Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break

I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating Thanksgiving break and that you are as ready as our students and faculty are to embrace this winter weather and work hard over the next two-and-a-half weeks until winter break.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for pancakes at our Founders’ Day Breakfast yesterday morning and to those who attended our second session of Students and Screens yesterday afternoon. With close to 30 participants—parents of Lower, Middle, and Upper school students, and some Middle and Upper School students—we had an engaging and informative conversation about fragmentation, the importance of sleep (for all of us), and how we can help our students develop customized, healthy study habits. Stay tuned for our next session sometime in late January or early February, as we have more to talk about and more who want to share. Read More


Upper School Division News December 5, 2024

USDivWPfrom Mark Segal, Upper School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, December 6: No US Classes, Conferences
  • Friday, December 6: US Conferences, 8 AM-5 PM
  • Saturday, December 7: US Semiformal Dance, 8-11 PM, Woman’s Club (Minneapolis)
  • Friday, December 13: PreK-12 MPA Preview, 8:30-10 AM, Gallery & Martin Lenz Harrison Library
  • Monday, December 16: G7-12 Musical Auditions, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box & Choir Room
  • Tuesday, December 17: US Parent Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
  • Tuesday, December 17: G7-12 Musical Auditions, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box & Choir Room
  • Tuesday, December 17: US Parent Coffee for Class of 2029, 6:30-7:30 PM, PCR
  • Wednesday, December 18: G7-12 Musical Callbacks, 3:30-5:30 PM, Black Box
  • Friday, December 20: Caroling with the Madrigal Singers, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni, 7:30-8 AM, Family Commons
  • Friday, December 20: US Madrigal Singers and Chamber Orchestra Music Tour, Off Campus Field Trip
  • Monday, December 23-Friday, January 3: No Classes, Winter Break

This Saturday evening the Upper School will hold its annual winter Semiformal Dance at the Women’s Club of Minneapolis. The Club, originally founded in 1907, was designed by the architect of the Foshay Tower, Leon Arnal, and moved into its location just off Loring Park in 1928. Hosted by the Student Council, the semiformal dance serves as an important social event that fosters unity and strengthens the bonds within our upper school community. High school dances provide students with an opportunity to take a break from academic pressures and engage in a festive environment. According to the educational journal Edutopia, “research shows that participation in school events like dances enhances students’ sense of belonging, which is crucial for their emotional and social development.” These events encourage students to connect with peers from their own and different grades, creating a more inclusive atmosphere that can lead to lasting friendships.
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Please Welcome Ms. Julia Ross To MPA!

Ross WPMPA is excited to announce the hiring of Ms. Julia Ross as the Lower School learning specialist. She started on December 2, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community!

From what school/organization are you coming?
I taught first grade at Partnership Academy.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I have my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and my master’s degree in educational leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. I have taught first grade for the past seven years and absolutely loved my time in the classroom. One of my favorite things about education is building relationships with students, helping them learn so much about the world and themselves, and showing them they are capable of oh so many things!

What did you find appealing about MPA?
I immediately felt that my beliefs aligned with Mounds Park Academy. The inclusivity, high academic achievement, and the commitment to being student-centered is what really drew me in. I can already tell that Mounds Park Academy is committed to each and every student and believes they can achieve anything. I am beyond excited to be a part of the community and to make an impact here.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I believe my commitment to academic excellence and building character will go a long way. I am eager to begin building relationships with students, showing them they can do anything and helping them achieve their dreams! Read More


Parents Association News And Events December 5, 2024

PAWPCookies, Coffee & Connection! We would love to see you before winter break.

  • Tuesday, December 10: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM, MPA Gallery
    The topic of discussion will be Everything About Adolescence with Dr. Jules Nolan coming to join the discussion.
  • Thursday, December 12: Cookies and Coffee at the Winter Middle School Music Concert, 6 PM, Family Commons
    The MPA Parents Association invites all families and friends for cookies, coffee, and informal conversation prior to the Middle School concert.
  • Friday, December 13: Lower School Quarterly Coffee, Virtual Meeting
    Ms. Dana, the PreK-Grade 5 counselor, and Lower School director Jennifer Le Varge will be providing a recorded presentation on adult and child well-being and strategies at home. A pre-recorded video link will be shared on Friday, December 13, to watch at your convenience.
  • Tuesday, December 17: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM, PCR
    The topic will be a deep dive into a teacher’s perspective at MPA, “Scenes from a 24-Year MPA Career: Mr. Vergin’s Top Five Experiences.”


Finding The Right Kindergarten

kindergarten students working in the makerspace togetherWhat makes a strong kindergarten program? How do you know what will be a good fit for your child? Should you find a program that focuses on academics, play, or one that promotes both? Is a public elementary school the right choice or a private one with smaller kindergarten class sizes?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every family needs to base their kindergarten decision on what works best for their individual circumstances and values. Given our experience at Mounds Park Academy, a private PreK-12 school in Saint Paul, Minnesota, we believe that you can determine whether a kindergarten program is strong by asking yourself the following questions.

Is it joyful?

Kindergarten is a magical time in early childhood development. Our teachers, administrators, parents, and students all use the word “joy” when describing kindergarten at MPA. Students should be happy about being at school and excited to come home and share the news of their day. When you visit a kindergarten classroom, a sense of joy should exude from it because children are active, engaged, and having fun. Read More


Parents Association News And Events November 21, 2024

PAWPConnection is brewing yet again! Join division directors and special guests at the upcoming quarterly coffees!

  • Tuesday, December 10: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM: The topic of discussion will be Students and Screens with Dr. Jules Nolan, MPA’s school psychologist, coming to join the discussion.
  • Tuesday, December 17: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM: The topic will be a deep dive into a teacher’s perspective at MPA: “Scenes From a 24-Year MPA Career: Mr. Vergin’s Top Five Experiences.”
  • Lower School Quarterly Coffee will be virtual this quarter. More information is coming soon!

Upcoming MPA PA Events

  • Friday, November 22: Faculty and Staff Appreciation, hosted by Grades 10-12 families, volunteer >
  • Tuesday, December 10: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM, MPA Gallery
  • Thursday, December 12: MPA PA hosted cookies and coffee at Winter Middle School Music Concert, 6 PM, Family Commons
  • Tuesday, December 17: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8 AM, PCR


In Our Community’s Own Words

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the November 23 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

Being a close-knit community, we often hear from community members about their MPA moments, unique relationships, academic achievements and obstacles, and big dreams.

Two students leaving the CHAMP assembly with an arm around the other“I’m living the dream every day,” remarks kindergarten teacher Katie Roche. “Not only do I have the honor of helping our kindergarteners grow into readers, mathematicians, scientists, and historians, I have the privilege of helping them learn to love school and truly love learning. That is the feeling we want them to have walking in through the front door every day, and to be carried with them even as adults.”

Middle School student Tori feels she is being set up for a successful future and is empowered to follow her dreams. “MPA has a really close, tight-knit community that works really, really well together and does a really good job of listening to student voices. I do a lot of theatre, and my dream for my future is to be really involved in that community. MPA offers great experiences in theatre, in being able to have important conversations, and in putting yourself out there to share yourself with the world.”

MPA alum Kevin McQuade ’07 continues to appreciate how MPA’s nurturing environment showed him “that education extends far beyond textbooks and test scores.” Read More


Calling Alumni And Parents Of Alumni Musicians!

Musicfrom James Lekatz, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director

For those of you who were involved in the arts at MPA, the fall was full of excitement. As you grabbed our instruments, opened your scripts, or massaged your clay, you knew magic was in store. This week, the Nicholson Center will be filled with music as band, orchestra, and choir start their concert season. In November, the Middle School play, “Little Women” will open. Walk around the school, and you will see the walls covered in kindergarten to 12th-grade artwork. MPA vibrates with art! We are so lucky to have the arts as one of the main tenants of the school. MPA believes in the transformative power of the arts and arts education, a counter and radical mentality to the world we live in. We are looking forward to seeing alumni in the audience for these vital moments of joy.

As the arts are always pushing us forward, I am looking toward the spring. This is my second year at MPA, and I have seen the show posters around the garden level. What high school produces “Candid,” “Anyone Can Whistle,” and “Marat/Sade”? How were these productions able to take place? How big were those orchestras? I have met a handful of MPA alumni, and some of your favorite memories of MPA include the musical. I have heard wonderful stories of community, transformation, and sometimes regret for not starting sooner in the department.

This year’s musical is The Wizard of Oz, and here is where you come in. While you will not be in a costume on stage, we are looking to grow our orchestra pit. If you are a musician who plays an instrument, would you like to join us? Would you consider sitting side by side with current MPA students, filling out the sound of that iconic score, and sharing your joy of the arts with us?

Please contact Hannah Lawson, orchestra director, hlawson@moundsparkacademy.org or James Lekatz, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director, at jlekatz@moundsparkacademy.org to learn more.


A Message From Alumni Board Member Kevin McQuade ’07

McquadeAs I see my two-year-old daughter Rory bounce to music (usually to Taylor Swift or Pitbull, to be honest…) in our living room, I’m transported back to MPA’s band room, where Ms. Goucher and Ms. Wantock challenged us to stretch beyond our comfort zones with both the technical music selection and the style of play. Those years of playing taught me more than just musical notes—they instilled a deep appreciation for the joy of creative expression and the rewards of patient practice. Now, as a parent, I find myself drawing on these lessons, encouraging my daughter to explore, create, and persist even when things don’t come easily. It’s because of generous giving during the fall campaign (as well as donations year-round) that students from around the school are able to try, tinker, and hone their skills with a number of musical instruments not available at many schools around the country.

Beyond the arts, my time with educators like Ms. Murr and Mr. Vergin shaped my approach to raising a compassionate human being. Their dedication to fostering empathy and understanding across socioeconomic differences continues to influence how my wife and I guide my daughter. Whether we’re sharing toys at the playground or meeting new neighbors, I hear echoes of their teachings about compassion, kindness, and inclusivity. It is to that end that my wife and I specifically contributed to continue the momentum of the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning. As someone who struggled to learn via traditional experiences, particularly in later Middle School and early high school, this mission resonates and, I believe, will enhance the educational journey of many of MPA’s best and brightest.

MPA’s nurturing environment showed me that education extends far beyond textbooks and test scores. As a consultant supporting the federal government (and coach at a gym on the side), the ability to learn about, excite, and build relationships with people from around the world keeps me motivated and open-minded to a variety of perspectives and opinions. I believe the ability to listen, understand, and engage with viewpoints other than your own is critical in today’s society, regardless of your focus area(s).

Today, I’m grateful for the foundation laid during my years at Mounds Park Academy. The school’s commitment to developing well-rounded, thoughtful individuals shapes not only my life and parenting philosophy but also my hopes for my daughter’s future—that she too will grow up to be curious, kind, and eager to make a positive difference in the world. I hope you and your families feel equally as appreciative of MPA’s philosophy and help support continued and impactful initiatives across the school. Please join me in igniting dreams, one gift at a time!