Mounds Park Academy

May 18, 2026

Recently, MPA’s very own Ryan Wood ’96 appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with Ted Koppel in a segment about the more than 200 immigration judges who have been fired or forced out of the nation’s immigration courts over the past 14 months, and the due process concerns that purge has created.

Ryan said he wanted to share his story with MPA because “the path that led me there began at Mounds Park (Academy).”

“After graduating in 1996, I spent more than twenty years in federal service. I served as an Army judge advocate with a deployment to Iraq. I was an associate chief counsel at ICE. I was an assistant United States attorney in Minnesota. I was appointed a federal immigration judge, and I was later promoted to assistant chief immigration judge—supervising 20 judges and more than 80 staff across the Midwest, and serving as one of the primary trainers of the nation’s immigration judges at the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

In February 2025, I retired—not because I was ready to stop working, but because I had come to believe the most useful thing I could do was work from outside the system. What I was seeing on the bench, and what has since accelerated, convinced me that attorneys, employers, and organizations would need experienced counsel. The enforcement environment is unlike any this country has seen. Read More

The Class Of 2026 Finds Their Fit

May 15, 2026

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the May 16 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

This fall, members of MPA’s Class of 2026 will begin their next chapters as Tigers, Bruins, Blue Demons, Blue Jays, Tritons, Golden Eagles, and much more.

They’ll head off to colleges and universities across the country to study everything from engineering and neuroscience to business economics, cognitive science, liberal studies, and more. Several students will also continue competing in collegiate athletics, pursuing their passions in sports like Nordic skiing and golf.

From coast to coast—and even internationally—the Class of 2026 is preparing to make its mark. MPA graduates are heading to schools in 17 different states with destinations ranging from California and Colorado to Massachusetts and North Carolina. They’ll soon call cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, among many others, home.

In total, the 55 members of the Class of 2026 will matriculate to 39 different colleges and universities, a reflection of the individualized and student-centered nature of the college search process at MPA. Rather than following a single path, students are encouraged to discover the colleges and opportunities that best align with who they are and whom they hope to become.

On May 1, seniors gathered to celebrate College Choice Day, proudly wearing apparel from their future schools while creating their annual college pennants, taking photos, sharing laughs, and soaking in one of the final traditions of their MPA experience together. See photos from the day!

“College choices are led by each student’s set of priorities in choosing a school. These priorities center on a number of different themes—academic programming, athletic interests, scholarship awards, location, research opportunities, and extracurricular pursuits—which is why our seniors matriculate to such a wonderful array of schools. We have a system in place where Dr. Quam, assistant director of college counseling, and I know each senior exceptionally well,” says director of college counseling Lisa Pederson.

Congratulations to the MPA Class of 2026! We are so proud of all you have accomplished and excited to see where your next adventures lead.

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Parents Association News And Events May 14, 2026

May 14, 2026

Don’t miss this one final HOORAH for the 2025-26 school year!

Lower School Division End-of-Year Party | Monday, June 1: 3:30-5:30 PM, Fun City, Maplewood, RSVP >

Middle School Division End-of-Year Party | Wednesday, June 3: 12:30-3 PM | Urban Air, Coon Rapids, RSVP >

Upper School Division End-of-Year Party | Wednesday, June 3: 11 AM-1 PM, Smash Park, Roseville, RSVP >

Appreciation on behalf of all MPA parents!

Parent volunteers made and delivered floral bouquets to staff members on Friday as part of this year’s National Teacher Appreciation Week. Thank you to all MPA Staffulty!

In case you missed it, check out the Parent Press May edition.

The Countdown Begins

May 14, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

Kindergarten students celebrate the 100th day of school. Now, tomorrow marks the final day for the Class of 2026.

Even though the school year follows a familiar rhythm and calendar, these final weeks always seem to arrive more quickly than expected.

Countdowns help us organize time and build anticipation for what lies ahead. At MPA, this season of transition also invites reflection. In conversations across campus, I continue to hear students, families, and colleagues sharing pride in accomplishments, gratitude for meaningful experiences, excitement, and sometimes nervousness about what comes next.

Yesterday, I stood in the courtyard with our seniors as they laughed, talked, and enjoyed the sunshine and each other’s company. Some eagerly shared how ready they feel to begin their next chapter, while others spoke honestly about the uncertainty that can come with change. Both emotions are real, important, and deeply human. The countdown to their time at MPA is nearly complete, and with it comes a mixture of celebration, reflection, and transition. Read More

Coding Starts Without Screens

May 14, 2026

from Katie Roche, kindergarten teacher

Coding might sound like something reserved for older students or tech experts, but in today’s classrooms, even our youngest learners are beginning to explore the foundations of computational thinking. At Mounds Park Academy, that learning doesn’t begin with screens or complicated programs. It begins with hands-on play, movement, collaboration, and problem-solving.

For parents, it’s helpful to know that coding in kindergarten isn’t really about screen time—it’s about thinking. It’s about breaking down problems, giving clear instructions, testing ideas, and learning through trial and error. Technology becomes one tool for extending that learning.

In Katie Roche’s kindergarten classroom, students began their coding journey in a very “analog” way, with no devices required. Using a simple grid taped onto the classroom floor, students worked together to solve a challenge: reach the treasure while avoiding obstacles. They planned routes, counted steps, tested ideas, and adjusted when things didn’t go as expected. Read More

MPA Speech Success At NIETOC Nationals

May 11, 2026

The MPA speech team finished ranked 11th in the nation this past weekend—its best finish ever at NIETOC Nationals!

Ash Klann was a national finalist in Original Oratory, finishing sixth overall. Ash’s speech focused on the need for a new LGBTQ+ rights movement. Guy Schwieger and Nico Bergh advanced to the semifinal round in Duo, finishing ninth overall with a humorous twist on “Titanic.”

Kelvyn Boddipalli and Oslo Norcross also advanced to the semifinal round in Duo, finishing 12th overall with a performance of “Men Against Fire,” an episode of Black Mirror. Andrew Buhr was tiebroken from the semifinal round in International Extemporaneous Speaking, finishing in the top 15.

Lucy Mayer finished one point shy of the semifinals in Original Oratory, ending her run in quarterfinals. Boddipalli also reached the quarterfinals in Humorous Interpretation.

Reaching the octafinals were Sidd Sastry in International Extemporaneous Speaking, Hazel Reid and Warner Reid in Duo, and Norcross in Informative Speaking.

The results continue a rapid rise in national success for the MPA speech team. Since 2024, the team has produced four champions, eight finalists, and 36 out-of-round appearances at national circuit tournaments. Congratulations, Panthers!

MPA Students Named National Merit Finalists

May 7, 2026

Congratulations to Thomas Dickson ’26 and Liam Kimmerle ’26, who were named National Merit Finalists this year, a recognition achieved by only around 15,000 students nationwide!

After qualifying as semi-finalists based on the PSAT taken in their junior year, each completed an application including an essay, academic and activity information, and a school recommendation. This fall, Thomas will attend Haverford College in Pennsylvania, while Liam will enroll at UCLA. They plan to study chemistry and biochemistry, respectively.

In addition to the honor of selection, about 7,500 finalists receive scholarships through the National Merit program each year. Thomas recently received news that he had been chosen as a National Merit Corporate-sponsored Scholarship winner. Congratulations, Thomas!

Upper School Division News May 7, 2026

May 7, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

As we enter the final weeks of the school year, MPA joyfully arrives at what many in our community know as concert season. This special time brings our choirs, band, and orchestra to the Nicholson Center stage to share the incredible work they have been preparing throughout the year. These concerts are community celebrations, moments when students showcase not only musical skill, but dedication, creativity, and teamwork. Research consistently affirms the value of music education, and a 2023 University of Southern California study showed that “sustained participation in school music programs supports cognitive development, academic growth, and overall student wellbeing.”

One of the most rewarding aspects of concert season is witnessing student growth over time. For some musicians, this marks the completion of their first year at MPA, and for others, it reflects an Upper School musical journey that began four years ago. Studies from institutions such as USC and the Arts Education Partnership demonstrate that musical training strengthens memory, attention, executive functioning, and emotional regulation, all positive skills that will benefit them in Upper School and beyond. Watching students, including my own son, who once approached the stage with hesitation, now perform with poise, is a powerful reminder of how music supports both skill development and confidence.

As students advance, their repertoire grows in complexity and depth, requiring careful listening, collaboration, and perseverance. Research published in journals such as “Frontiers in Psychology” and “The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health” shows that ensemble music-making strengthens social connection, self-efficacy, and motivation, benefits that extend far beyond the four walls of their music room or the Nicholson Center. These qualities are clearly visible as students perform increasingly challenging pieces with focus and pride. Read More

Middle School Division News May 7, 2026

May 7, 2026

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

As we work our way through our Middle School spring concert season, I want to share with you some advice from our Middle School counselor, Ashley Cooper:

Many of us have noticed that energy drinks have found their way into the Middle School day. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “nearly 33% of teens regularly consume energy drinks, and many of these contain far more caffeine than is recommended. Some popular options range from about 70 mg to over 250 mg of caffeine in a single can, while the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than 100 mg per day for teens.”

At these levels, caffeine can make it harder for students to manage emotions and stress, disrupt sleep, increase jitteriness or a racing heart, and even mask hunger. We’re also seeing energy drinks being shared with friends, much like gum or snacks, which can make it easy for students to consume more caffeine than they realize. For some students, especially those taking medications for attention, anxiety, or mood, caffeine can also increase side effects like restlessness or trouble sleeping.

I want to offer some strategies families may find helpful:

Encouraging regular meals and snacks every three to four hours when possible
Looking ahead at the lunch menu so students can plan for foods they’ll eat and enjoy
Prioritizing hydration, with water as the main drink during the day
If caffeine is used, pairing it with food rather than having it on an empty stomach
Limiting caffeine later in the day to help protect sleep
Discouraging students from sharing or providing caffeinated drinks to others
Talking with students about energy coming from sleep, food, and hydration (not just drinks)

Lower School Division News May 7, 2026

May 7, 2026

From James Ewer, Lower School director

We are close. And close is worth pausing on.

Before the last days blur into carpools and summer plans, I want to invite you into a moment of genuine reflection. Not because the year is over. Because it is not. These final weeks still belong to your child. They still belong to us.

Reflect on who your child was in September.

Think about the first morning drop-off. The nervousness, the energy, the version of your child who walked through that door, not yet knowing what this year would ask of them. Now look at them. Something shifted. Ask them tonight at dinner: What is one thing you learned this year that surprised you? Not the answer they give quickly. The real one. The one that takes a second. That conversation is worth more than you know.

The end of a school year is a transition, not a finish line.

Transitions require intention. In our Lower School, we are spending these final weeks making sure every child feels seen, celebrated, and prepared for what comes next. All of your children are moving to new grade levels. Some are leaving our Lower School division for Middle School. All of them are carrying something forward. Our job, together, is to make sure that something is worth carrying. Read More