Meet Elli Carlson ’20

Upper School studentWhat do you love about MPA?

I love that at MPA, I am able to participate in a wide variety of activities. I can play soccer but also be on the debate team. Additionally, the arts department has so many more options than a lot of other schools do. I can take photography, two ceramics classes, and a theatre class all in one year. This allows me to pursue areas outside of just required courses, and for me, these are the areas that interest me most.

If you have attended another school, how has your experience at MPA been different?

MPA is different from my old school in virtually every aspect. The block schedule at MPA gives us longer class periods, allowing for deep discussion and more in depth learning in each class. The longer lunch period gives students to have a break in the day, allowing us to be able to focus during our afternoon classes. The wide variety of arts courses allowed is much more rigorous than my old school’s and allows me to advance my skills in an area that is important to me, as I plan on pursuing a career in the arts after high school. Read More


Ron Kretsch Invite

On a near perfect day for running, you earned 10 personal best times, 4 near personal best times, and earned 6 t-shirts for top ten finishes!

Read More


Traveling with Purpose

This land is your landMPA students explore civil rights and social justice on “This Land is Your Land” summer trip.

Most summer road trips don’t include Topeka, Kansas. But the city made the itinerary of “This Land is Your Land,” a civil rights-focused trip organized by Mounds Park Academy history teachers Katie Murr and Mike Vergin.

“Our goal was to visit as many major sites associated with the civil rights movement as we could,” said Murr. “We wanted them to see places that are an important part of their history but they might fly over instead of visit.” Read More


MPA Alums Named NCAA Captains

Evan Ferlic '15Two MPA Class of 2015 alumni recently made NCAA headlines! Sisley Ng ’15 and Evan Ferlic ’15 were both named team captains for their 2018 athletic seasons. We are so proud to call them Panthers and to celebrate their leadership!

Sisley is a goalkeeper for the University of Minnesota Duluth’s soccer team. After graduating from MPA, Sisley began her collegiate soccer career as a walk-on freshman just days before the start of the 2015 season. She was honored as the Bulldogs’ most valuable player and has played a huge role in keeping up their “10-win season” streak. As she begins her senior year with the team, Sisley looks to rank in UMD’s career shutouts and in all-time saves. Read the full article from the University here! Read More


Sign Up to Volunteer at Homecoming!

Sign up to volunteer at MPA’s Homecoming 2018homecoming bounce house! We need your support to make this exciting event succeed. This fun-filled weekend has so many activities going on including fun runs, bounce houses, lawn games, athletic competitions, alumni events, and much more. This incredible weekend for every member of our community would not be possible without the generosity of volunteers who give of their time on Saturday, September 29. If you have an hour or two to spare, volunteering is a great way to get involved with the event and MPA! Read More


We Are a Mosaic

dr. Hudson at lower school lunchby Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

“Each individual piece of our mosaic is essential to forming the beautiful whole. Our diversity in age, cultures, talents, interests, and personalities paints an array of colors that make our mosaic vibrant.”

As quoted from the introduction of the 2017-18 school yearbook, the yearbook committee presented a powerful visual image that so eloquently captures the essence of our school’s commitment to equity and inclusion. The students went on to describe each student as unique, their own piece of a beautiful mosaic, that when fitted together, form an exquisite piece of art. Read More


Don’t Miss These September PA Events!

LS children on the playgroundCome meet your Grade Reps, the PA Board and other parents! The MPA Parents Association Meet & Greet is Friday, September 7, at 8 AM in the Gallery. Light breakfast will be served while you learn about the 2018-19 Parents Association events and initiatives and how to get involved. Ask questions, share your ideas, and help us grow our community-building at MPA! We would love to see you!

The first monthly all Lower School Family Social, organized by Lower School Parents Association Grade Reps, is also right around the corner! On Saturday, September 22, from 10 AM-1 PM, please join us at Como Town, where we will use a three-hour unlimited wristband for kids to enjoy the rides and play together! The fee for this event is $5 per child. Read More


MPA Fiber Friends

sewing in makerspaceDo beautiful colors and fabrics grab your attention? Are you interested in learning how to knit, crochet, quilt, or sew? Is there a project that you have neglected, but want to get back on track and finish? Do you simply want to make some friends and learn something new along the way? We have the perfect group for you! Join the MPA Fiber Friends in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace every Friday starting September 7 from 11 AM-12:30 PM! Read More


Grandparents And Special Friends Day 2018

grandparents and special friends day 2017Save and share the date for Lower and Middle School Grandparents and Special Friends Day with your grandparents and special friends! The cherished MPA event will be held the morning of Wednesday, October 17, prior to an early dismissal at 11:30 AM for grades PreK-11. Information was sent home via Lower School folders and Middle School advisories with how to tell us the names of the grandparents and special friends whom we should invite. Please ask them to save the date prior to their invitation arriving in the mail!

Please contact Ashley Goetzke at agoetzke@moundsparkacademy.org if you have any questions.


Save The Date For Homecoming 2018!

bouncy house at homecoming 2017We all belong here! All families PreK-12 should save the date to come and celebrate MPA Homecoming 2018 on Saturday, September 29!

The weekend is a wonderful way to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and where we are going together. Whether you’re a parent cheering on your athlete, an Upper School student competing, a Lower School student excited for the bounce houses, or an alum coming back to celebrate a milestone reunion, this is an opportunity for all of us to support and celebrate MPA. Come home to connect with us and one another, and to celebrate MPA.

You can find all of the event details at moundsparkacademy.org/homecoming. We can’t wait to see you there!