Mounds Park Academy

Jacob Schwartz ’09 Named Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach

November 16, 2017

Mounds Park Academy Boys Basketball is thrilled to announce Jacob Schwartz ’09 as head varsity coach! He is taking over for Dan Haase, who moved into the role of Athletic Director after 16 years coaching basketball at MPA. Previously, Jacob coached MPA’s Junior Varsity team while also acting as an assistant coach on the Varsity bench.

“I’m most excited about working with the kids in our program,” said Jacob. “I’ve built some great relationships with them over the years and to see their progression has been terrific. I’m excited to help them achieve both team and individual success as we strive to take MPA basketball to the next level.”

A Manifestation of Hope

November 16, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

Being a parent today is hard work. Like you, I worry a lot about the world my children are growing up in. Uncertainty about the political and social climate of our country and world, increasing access and use of social media and use of screens by our children, fears about bullying and sexual harassment, violence in our schools, churches, and communities, and a rise of anxiety and depression among young people, are just a few examples of my greatest worries.

Parenting is tough. I am frequently unsure of the line between being engaged and supportive and being overbearing. Studies have found that an overbearing or anxious parenting style can induce anxiety and risk-aversion in kids. Knowing that only makes me more uncertain!

MPA is by no means perfect, but as a parent, I take great comfort knowing that my daughter is experiencing her adolescence in a safe, nurturing and caring community. The values of our family are reflected in the values of MPA. The Middle School character education program, together with social emotional learning, bring comfort to me and reinforce values we teach at home.

Love Your Melon & MPA

November 16, 2017

MPA alum Zach Quinn ’11 co-founded Love Your Melon and is making an incredible difference in the lives of children and families battling cancer. He is one of many dreamers and doers who have passed through the halls of MPA.

If you weren’t able to get your MPA-branded Love Your Melon hat at Homecoming, no fear! A shop will be popping up on Tuesday, November 21!

Lansing Lobby, 7:30-8 AM
South Entrance. 2-3:30 PM

Cash, checks, and credit cards will be accepted. Pom hats are $45 and the others are $30. Proceeds go directly to Love Your Melon’s non-profit partners.

Meet Rowan

November 14, 2017

Class of 2025

What do you love about MPA?
School makes me feel happy, joyful and excited! There are days when I think, “Oh no! I’m so sick, but I really want to go to school to see my teachers and my friends.” I just love how we all treat each other.

How are you encouraged to dream big and do right at MPA?
We learn cool words like inclusiveness. We learn how to be kind to other people and that giving is important.

What would you tell a parent considering MPA?
It is like my home because everyone is so nice, kind, and considerate. Sure, you go to your real home and have dinner and go to sleep. But then you wake up and feel excited, like it’s going to be a great day at your other home, at your school!

In what ways has MPA prepared your child for life in the 21st century?
When there is a problem, our teachers sometimes tell us to work it out on our own because we are good enough and smart enough. However, sometimes they help us because we’ve made a mistake and need another solution. MPA teaches us all these special things that get us ready for the world.

Mounds Park Academy, a PreK-12 private school in Saint Paul, is currently accepting applications for the 2018-19 school year. For more information about admission and to schedule your tour, visit moundsparkacademy.org/admission. We look forward to getting to know your family!

Dreaming Big At The CHAMP Assembly

November 9, 2017

The theme of the Lower School CHAMP assembly Wednesday was “Be brave and dream big.” This represents the new CHAMP character trait, courage, reminding students of how much their dreams matter and to stay true to who they are, think big, take risks, and be courageous in all of their endeavors.

Students designed posters that served as self-reflections. They started with an outline of their faces, and sketched in portraits of unique hairstyles, sleeping eyes, and whatever they were dreaming up at the moment. These illustrations are an emblematic way to show what kind of dreamer they are, including responses such as World Dreamer, Outside-The-Box Dreamer, Silly Dreamer, and Independent Dreamer. The posters will soon decorate the Lower School hallway.

Click here for more photos of our dreamers!

Gallery Opening: “Two Perspectives”

November 9, 2017

Visit campus to walk through “Two Perspectives,” a beautiful and expressive tandem photo exhibition by MPA Upper School students Alex Esch and Siri Vorvick! The display opened November 6 in the Gallery. Both students are working toward their Certificates of Distinction and describe their art as purposeful, exploratory, and adventurous.

“When I’m with my camera, I feel purpose,” Alex said in her personal statement, also on display in the entrance of the exhibit. “There’s power in being able to capture a moment that vanishes almost instantaneously. I’m truly fascinated by ability I have to forever encapsulate such a small period of time.”

Alex says that the inspiration for her artistic vision comes from the human condition, identifying herself as a portrait photographer. She aims to add dimensions to portraits, capturing ideas and emotions. She also likes to show humans as figures rather than individual people, to focus on the broader nature of humankind.

Give To The Max Day

November 9, 2017

Mark your calendars for Give to the Max Day on November 16 and the end of the Fall Campaign on November 17. If we reach our goal of $75,000 that day, a generous MPA family will contribute an additional $25,000, bringing our grand total to $100,00!

Also, please join us for a Lip Sync Battle on Give to the Max Day in the Lansing Sports Center at 2:20 PM featuring performances from faculty and staff across all divisions. Check out a recap of last year’s event to get you excited!

To make a gift …

Pledge now and donate later! Make a pledge by simply emailing Matt Magers, Director of Development, at mmagers@moundsparkacademy.org.
Click here to give online today or on Give to the Max Day!
Visit the Development Office anytime or on Give to the Max Day. We accept cash, check, or credit cards and are open daily from 8 AM–4 PM.

If you have any questions about making a gift, please contact the Development Team, at 651-748-5532 or via email.

“Peter Pan” Across Disciplines

November 9, 2017

This isn’t your traditional Peter Pan! Twenty-seven Middle School actors and more than 20 students working backstage have been dedicating their time in and outside of school to concentrate on even the smallest details of costume design, set construction, and more. The sold-out production is bringing the community together in creative, challenging, and hands-on ways.

Weeks ago, before anyone knew all the words to “Neverland,” Upper School students started working with Middle School students on costumes for the cast. The kind of imagination possible through this mentorship shows the strengths of our PreK-12 community.

“Our costume crew grew from five to nine people in basically a day, and a few of them are younger siblings of my friends, so it’s cool to get to know them better,” said sophomore Solie Svennevig-Brosi. “I’m excited to make an awesome show with them!”

College Years

November 9, 2017

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

A week ago, I had the pleasure of attending a social event at Dellwood Country Club organized by the MPA Parents of Alumni Association. The event brought together parents who have MPA graduates currently in college. It was a spirited group—all were very excited to talk with one another and share stories of how their children are faring at school. I enjoyed hearing from them and learning how well their children felt prepared for college after MPA. In addition to feeling prepared, I frequently hear that many of our alumni are assisting their friends and roommates with schoolwork and/or teaching them how to study and manage their time.

Another common observation that I hear from parents of alumni is that they continue to develop relationships with their professors. In the words of one parent of alumni, “My child has transitioned beautifully to college. She knows how to advocate for herself and how to learn. I am amazed by her ability to access teachers and get her questions answered. I couldn’t be more pleased with her high school experience.” Because of the meaningful relationships they form with their MPA teachers, they have the same confidence and comfort to talk to their professors after class or visit them during office hours. In some instances, this has led to internships or research assistant opportunities.

Declan Dahlberg Signs With U of M

November 8, 2017

Mounds Park Academy is proud to announce that senior Declan Dahlberg signed with the University of Minnesota’s Track and Field and Cross Country Teams. An exceptional student athlete, Declan was accepted to the University’s College of Science and Engineering.

“I’m extremely excited to start this new chapter of my academic and athletic career next fall, and I’m honored to do it at the University of Minnesota. In the end, the combination of my interactions with Coach Plascencia, the boys on the team, and the school in general made this an easy choice. I’m extremely grateful to my high school coaches, Dan Ethier, Jerry Slater, and Bev Docherty, my parents, and my teammates and friends for helping me get to this point. I could not have achieved any of this without all of their support,” said Declan.

Declan is a two-time state champion (1600m in Track and Cross Country as a junior). He also finished second twice (3200m in Track as a junior and Cross Country as a senior). He is a seven-time state qualifier and seven-time All State Honoree between Track and Cross Country. Remarkably, he was part of both of the two closest finishes in Cross Country State Meet history.

Outside of athletics, Declan is an exceptional student and volunteer. He is an academic All State Recipient with a 3.98 Cumulative GPA, making honor roll every semester of high school. Declan was one of 14 members of the MPA Class of 2018 to be inducted into the National Honor Society on October 12, 2017. His selection was due to his exemplary commitment to service, leadership, character, and academics, tenants of NHS and Mounds Park Academy. He writes the weekly Run, Write, Repeat Blog for running website MileSplit MN.

Interested in pursuing medical school after college, Declan volunteers in the emergency room at St. John’s Hospital and does melanoma research with Professor Timothy Lyden at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls specifically related to the 3D modeling of melanoma tumors.

He is a highly skilled percussionist, pianist, violinist, and choral member, exemplifying the balance between academics, arts, and athletics that students find at Mounds Park Academy.

Click here to see more photos!