Mounds Park Academy

April 1, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Karla and Peter Myers, parents of alumni.

Why do you believe it is important to give to both Together, We Dream AND the annual MPA Fund, as you would in other years?
We want MPA to continue offering the excellent educational opportunities and engaging learning environment that helped our kids become such well-informed and well-rounded young adults.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream even though your children have graduated?
We have all benefited from the bold families who invested in MPA 20+ years ago, making it possible for our kids to attend an outstanding school. We want to pay it forward so that future families will have the same opportunities.

How do you see the four priorities (library, commons, cafeteria and kitchen, endowment, and outdoor track) of Together, We Dream impacting the student experience?
We want MPA to remain competitive with other schools. Even though MPA has outstanding faculty and programs, it’s important that the facilities provide an environment that is conducive to today’s learning styles. The current library, kitchen, and cafeteria are woefully out of date and do not support the way kids learn, study, and interact today.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
We’d like to see increased enrollment that will provide additional financial resources and ensure a large enough student body to support multiple sports teams, music and theater programs, all of which require a certain critical mass to be effective. We’re particularly eager to enroll more high-potential students from diverse racial and financial backgrounds; this will require more scholarship funding to be available.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your MPA experience?
We’re grateful for the education and character development that MPA provided our family for the past 22 years.

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.

Strengthening The Mission

March 28, 2019

There are freethinkers, free spirits, risk takers, right makers, dreamers, and doers who are standing up to support Together, We Dream. Here is one story that explains why. Meet Sally Doherty and Karen Weiss, MPA parents. Sally is a member of the Board of Trustees.

What impact do you see the completion of Together, We Dream: The Campaign for MPA having on your family?
We see the library and cafeteria enhancements as having a long lasting impact on MPA’s present and future students & staff by bringing our diverse school community together as they pursue their intellectual ambition, and also build friendships that can last a lifetime.

Why do you choose to give to Together, We Dream and the MPA Fund?
Giving to this capital campaign, particularly the cafeteria and library projects, was a perfect avenue for us to help support the creation of new spaces that will further strengthen MPA’s mission and it’s imprint on our children and their friends, and future MPA students, as well.

What is your dream for the future of MPA and how do you see Together, We Dream working toward your dream?
Our dream is for MPA to grow its student body, and to have a very long life, as a top independent private school that truly shapes students’ minds to think globally, stand for justice, and shake the world.

Honor where we’ve been. Power our way forward. Make a gift at moundsparkacademy.org/donate/together.

Meet Ryan Ghose ’21

March 19, 2019

What do you love about MPA?
Waking up every morning excited about what I’m doing that day, whether it be a fun activity during class, play rehearsal, or a school dance.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
I am encouraged to dream big and do right through everything MPA offers. My extracurriculars allow me to explore anything and everything I set my mind to. The volunteer work I have been doing on campaigns and for organizations I believe in continue to inspire me to do right for my peers and my community.

What would you tell a family considering MPA?
If you have a child that loves to learn and wants to explore their environment, MPA allows your child to do that in a supportive and understanding environment. Read More

Summer Enrichment With Ms. Koen

March 19, 2019

“Look what I made in the workshop!” and “I’m excited to design my own project!” will be regular phrases said by students who take Ms. Koen’s Beginning Carpentry enrichment course this summer. In Nuts and Bolts: Beginning Carpentry, students will learn how to safely use the tools and materials in the Makerspace, while creating a game or toy of their choice.

Students in grades 1-4 will start the week by using the scroll saw to create a wooden toy, while students in grades 5-8 will build a step stool, bird house, or tool box. Both age levels will have the opportunity to design and bring an idea to life.

The Lower School class is June 17-21 from 9 AM to 12 PM, and the Middle School class is June 17-21 from 1 PM to 4 PM. Space is limited, so visit moundsparkacademy.org/summer to sign up to secure your spot today!

Math League Finishes Second In State

March 14, 2019

$MPA Math League$ Congratulations to the MPA Math League for finishing second in the state in Class A in the state tournament! Minnesota Valley Lutheran finished in first place and Breck finished in third place.

“I am really proud of how our team performed at the state tournament,” comments Coach Ethier. “Everyone on the team contributed to their second place finish, and everyone contributed to their success during the season.”

Coach Ethier also shares that it wasn’t too many years ago that they had trouble fielding a team of eight to compete at the meets, and that this year they had 11 different students who were part of the scoring team in at least one meet, and 18 students who came to most of their meets. “It’s been great to see the growth of our Math League program over the years,” says Ethier.

Juliana Wu, a senior and co-captain of the team, shares similar feelings. “This is the highlight of my senior year,” she said, “It was the first time in four years we went to state. Our team is awesome this year; we work really hard and all share an interest and a passion for math.”

Congratulations Math League and Coach Ethier!

Be Curious At MPA

March 14, 2019

Early Childhood Curiosity Day
Mounds Park Academy
Friday, April 26, 2019
8:45 AM-10 AM
RSVP >

In Lower School, students experience hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, while ensuring the curiosity and sense of wonder they come to school with flourishes. Our small class sizes enable the teachers to stay closely attuned to the gifts and challenges of each student, and make sure each child has the attention they deserve.

Here at MPA, we believe learning is a life-long process. We want our students to stay excited and curious about learning, and that is something we aim to achieve every day in our classrooms and around school. We believe this is achieved daily through the enthusiasm that can be seen in classrooms, discussions, and activities.

Experience this curiosity for yourself at our Early Childhood Curiosity Day on April 26 beginning at 8:45 AM! This very special event is for families who are interested in MPA’s PreK or kindergarten program. Join us as we explore curiosity and literacy in conjunction with the release of the latest Curious George seek-and-find book. At MPA, we learn by doing and this event is no exception. Activities will include a story walk, singalong, and seek-and-find fun in addition to diving into Curious George’s most recent story.

Following the activities, children and adults alike will be provided with a snack and invited to play and explore in our Makerspace—the only PreK-12 space of its kind in the Twin Cities—spend some time on our sprawling playground (weather dependent), or visit our PreK and kindergarten classrooms. All families will leave with their own copy of this Curious George book, compliments of MPA.

For more information and RSVP, see moundsparkacademy.org/visit, email admission@moundsparkacademy.org, or call 651-748-5577. Come be curious with us!

March 14, 2019

Registration is open for Summer Panther Sport Camps!

Basketball lovers, join Jacob Schwartz ’09, MPA alum and Head Varsity Basketball Coach, as he and the assistant coaches emphasize shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals! Mounds Park Academy’s Panther Summer Basketball is excited to offer our annual Panther Basketball Camp. With more than 50 campers attending last year, we are expecting another tremendous camp. This camp is open to MPA and non-MPA students alike, who are entering grades 4-9 in Fall 2019. MPA students are encouraged to invite a friend! Read More

What Students Discover When Learning By Doing

March 14, 2019

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

For most Middle School students, this week is their favorite time of the school year. It is i-Term, a signature MPA program that offers students an intensive learning experience in a single class that aligns with their interests and fuels their passion for learning. For some, it primarily means a week without homework and without grades. For all, this inquiry-based, experiential learning experience reflects a core attribute of an MPA education that has been with us since our founding 37 years ago.

Inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and service-learning are relatively new terms in the educational world and seem to be in vogue as schools look for creative and innovative ways to more fully engage students in learning. The Nellie Mae Education Foundation defines project-based learning as “an instructional approach that addresses core content through relevant, hands-on learning—challenging students to solve ‘real world- problems.” According to the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Washington, “Service-learning refers to learning that actively involves students in a wide range of experiences, which often benefit others and the community, while also advancing the goals of a given curriculum.” Read More

Creating The Future

March 13, 2019

A Message From MPA’s Board Of Trustees

by Matthew Larson, MPA Parent, Board Treasurer, Board Chair-Elect

MPA’s faculty and staff are creating and nurturing our children’s dreams and providing the skills and mindsets it will take to fulfill them every day. Our school’s mission is held in deep regard and is sincerely felt throughout its classrooms and hallways. The future spaces and opportunities that Together, We Dream will create will be game changing for our students, faculty, staff, and entire MPA community. If I may speak on behalf of the MPA Board of Trustees, we believe Abraham Lincoln said it well: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Read More

Spring Sailing For MPA

March 12, 2019

from Toby Sullivan ’19, sailing captain

Spring sports have begun! Of course, you have all the normal sports to choose from, but here at MPA students in grades 7-12 also have something different—sailing. Did you know that we have been one of the top teams in the state recently? Did you know that we race locally, regional and nationally? Did you know that sailing is a co-ed sport?

If you are looking for a sport that has life-long potential and is tons of fun, come join the MPA Sailing Team. You do not have to know how to sail—we will teach you everything you need to know to be able to be part of our team.

Sailing is a two-season sport. You can sail in the fall or the spring or both. Practices are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at White Bear Sailing School (carpools are arranged) and races are on Saturdays at various locations. Practices and races are loose so if you cannot make one, it’s ok. If you don’t want to commit right away, come and try out three practices for free. We’ll get started after spring break.

If you have questions or want more information talk to senior Toby Sullivan (tsullivan19@moundsparkacademy.org) or team advisor and MPA math teacher Ms. Sullivan (wsullivan@moundsparkacademy.org).