A Message From Cooper Olson ’16 On Why He Joined The Alumni Board

February 12, 2025

Alumni Cooper Olson coaching basketball.Whenever I’m asked about MPA, the first word that comes to mind is “community.” There aren’t many places with a more unique blend of different ages and experiences under one roof. On one walk through the hallways, you’ll have a chance to experience the curiosity of preschoolers, the angst of middle schoolers, and the optimism of high schoolers, not to mention the enthusiasm of staff you’re bound to bump into along the way.

While all those groups may be unlikely to interact with each other outside of MPA’s walls, inside MPA they mingle to create the welcoming community so many of us have been grateful to call a home.

If you can’t tell from that relatively sappy introduction, I have a deep-seated appreciation for MPA. My appreciation had always been there, but as I left for college and then started my professional career, I realized the impact MPA had on my development. Not only did the lessons I learned at MPA prepare me for the academic and professional challenges that came next, but perhaps even more importantly, the relationships that began at MPA have helped me find and establish new communities that have become some of the most important in my life today. Read More

Parents Association News And Events February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

A student showing Middle School teacher her magic at the talent show. Volunteer at the MPA Book Festival and the Lower School Valentine’s Party to help us make next week festive and fun at MPA!

MPA Book Festival

Get ready to fall in love with reading at the MPA Book Festival from February 10-13 in the MPA Gallery!

The Book Festival has offerings for everyone from PreK through Upper School students and adults! If you have any questions about whether a title on your student’s wishlist is appropriate for their reading level, please contact Stephanie Kollm, Library and media specialist, at skollm@moundsparkacademy.org.

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Remaining A Beacon Of Inclusivity, Integrity, and Courage

February 6, 2025

Lower School students celebrate with their hands up in the air. from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Our values endure. Our resolve is unshakable.

Transitions, whether personal, institutional, or societal, bring both challenge and opportunity. They disrupt routines and ask us to think critically, act courageously, and reaffirm what truly matters. In moments of change—whether in our school, our communities, or on a global scale—we are called to return to our values and remain steadfast. At Mounds Park Academy, we want to be clear: our commitment to our mission and values is unwavering.

MPA is, and will always be, a place where students, families, and educators feel seen, valued, and supported. We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive, just, and equitable environment where every child can learn, grow, and thrive. Our mission calls us to nurture critical thinkers, compassionate leaders, and engaged citizens who have the courage to shape a better world. That mission remains steadfast.

In the recent community survey, MPA students consistently highlighted the welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment. They report strong bonds between the students, teachers, and staff, noting that the result is a close-knit, respectful culture. One student wrote, “I think the school is really good at making sure that every student feels valued and important and in accepting each person’s different situations and how that can affect their learning or experience. People here are very understanding and friendly and create an environment where you don’t feel scared to speak up.” Read More

Welcome To MPA, Ms. Allie DeLeo!

February 6, 2025

MPA's new student billing coordinator, Allie DeLeo. Welcome to MPA, Allie DeLeo! Ms. DeLeo will take over as our accounts payable, payroll, and student billing coordinator, and we are thrilled to introduce her to the community! 

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am coming from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I’ve spent the last 10 years working in the business office at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where I also received my Bachelor of Fine Arts.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
MPA’s community of innovative thinkers, creative makers, and purposeful achievers made an instant impression on me.

What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I value kindness and empathy and strive to make a positive impact on those around me. I’m always lunging forward to offer a helping hand, and I look forward to engaging with the community at MPA in any way that I can. Read More

Five Things To Know About MPA From Hannabella Li

February 5, 2025

Hannabella working with students in her classMPA tenth-grader Hannabella Li shares her Five Things To Know About MPA! From rigorous academics to growing her confidence through public speaking, see what Hannabella thinks you should know about our school.

1. MPA academics are excellent.

The classes at MPA are challenging and rigorous, without being overly stressful. This blend has helped me to balance my homework and extracurriculars while preparing me for college courses and beyond.

2. MPA teachers know their students.

MPA teachers see the students as people with lives, experiences, and as individuals. Through my time here, I have managed to connect with teachers on a scale that I could never before.

3. MPA has an exceptional STEM program.

As someone who wants to go into STEM in the future, I highly appreciate the in-depth courses, as well as hands-on application, that are a part of every class in the exceptionally-cultured STEM program. Read More

The Path From Montessori School To Mounds Park Academy

February 3, 2025

Upper School student working in the MakerspaceWhen it comes to making a school choice, there are so many different types of environments to explore. Each educational philosophy offers a unique approach to learning, with its own set of strengths, challenges, and benefits for each individual child.

The transition from Montessori to a PreK-12 college prep school like Mounds Park Academy might seem like a big leap, but many of the traits your child developed in Montessori–like their independence, curiosity, and a love of learning–create a very solid foundation for them. At MPA, we work with families to take things one step at a time and embrace these new challenges and opportunities.

How Does A Montessori Education Compare To Mounds Park Academy?

Montessori education focuses on child development and the creation of supportive learning environments. Montessori schools are rooted in principles that emphasize child-centered learning. Students are encouraged to be independent, self-directed learners who explore subjects at their own pace. The American Montessori Society states, “Montessori education is student-led and self-paced but guided, assessed, and enriched by knowledgeable and caring teachers, the leadership of their peers, and a nurturing environment.” MPA honors philosophies similar to a Montessori learning environment while maintaining a level of academic rigor that prepares students academically for college. This is similar to the Montessori method focusing on child-led learning and independence. While the goal of Montessori schools is to inspire a love of learning, Mounds Park Academy achieves this through academics taught in an experiential way. Read More

Five Reasons To Apply Today

February 3, 2025

Middle School students are hugging at recessThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the February 2 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

Thank you to those who attended our last PreK-12 event of the year, the January MPA Preview! Whether you brought home a piece of your own printmaking art or had a climbing wall adventure, we hope you enjoyed your time with us as much as we did giving you a genuine preview of our school and community.

With the final PreK-12 event of the year comes the end of our admission season, meaning the February 15 application deadline is approaching quickly and we are beginning to see all of the future Panthers who are ready to begin an MPA journey of their own. If you have not yet completed your application, we have five reasons to share why your family should begin your MPA journey by applying today.

1. Academic Rigor With Purpose

At every grade level, MPA finds a developmentally appropriate way to incorporate rigor–not just for the sake of a rigorous education, but to challenge students to push themselves and apply their knowledge to critical thinking and real-word problems to be solved. “Students gain a great sense of satisfaction from taking a project from idea to reality and seeing it meet expectations when it comes to fruition. This exemplifies engineering at Mounds Park Academy and in the real world,” says Mark Shapiro, MPA Upper School physics teacher, on what rigor with purpose looks like. MPA’s curriculum, coupled with small class sizes, allows for more collaboration, creativity, and opportunities for students to become well-prepared for college and beyond. Read More

MPA Students Win 28 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards!

January 30, 2025

The Visual Arts Department is thrilled to announce that MPA student artists won 28 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards this year!

Congratulations to the artists for their achievements, and good luck to the Gold Key winners whose work will go on to compete at the national level.

Gold Key Award Recipients

  • Ansel Streier ’26, Ceramics, “Green Jar”
  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Painting, “Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”
  • Elizabeth Jacobson Faye ’27, Ceramics, “Growth Through Unity”
  • Hazel Pelszynski ’28, Ceramics, “Ceramic Tiles”
  • Jenny Liao ’28, Drawing, “Crimson Rest”

Silver Key Award Recipients

  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Ceramics, “Chimera Fwan (Fawn + Swan)”
  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Painting, “From Sunrise to Sunset”
  • Nicole Kim ’27, Fashion, “Safety Is a Luxury”
  • Jenny Liao ’28, Illustration, “Busy Stroll”
  • Jenny Liao ’28, Painting, “Archangel Saint Michael”

Honorable Mention Recipients

  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Painting, “An Extinction”
  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Drawing, “Moroccan Horse and Wrangler”
  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Painting, “Moroccan Horse and Handler”
  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Painting, “Drawn”
  • Camille Hirsch ’26, Mixed Media, “A Bug’s Eye View”
  • Amy Xiang ’26, Painting, “The Art of Raw”
  • Amy Xiang ’26, Mixed Media, “Broken Space”
  • Yujin Byambatsogt ’26, Drawing, “Feeling Blue!”
  • Yugin Byambatsogt ’26, Painting, “Across Borders”
  • Thomas Dickson ’26, Painting, “The Heron’s Landing”
  • Ash Klann ’26, Painting, “Bleeding Hearts”
  • Alona Vietrova ’26, Painting, “MPLS”
  • Olivia Collister ’27, Ceramics, “Melting Memories”
  • Evie Minear ’27, Drawing, “Architectural Study in Ink”
  • Hazel Pelszynski ’28, Ceramics, “Historical Coil Pot”
  • Leo Stout ’28, Painting, “5-String Bass”
  • Sofia K. ’30, Drawing, “Bubbles”
  • Rosalie M. F.  ’30, Printmaking, Flower Mandala

See an album of their award-winning work here!

Parents Association News And Events January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

Two Lower School students during the CNY celebration. Get ready to fall in love with reading at the MPA Book Festival from February 10-13 in the MPA Gallery!

The book festival is for everyone! MPA will partner with Red Balloon Bookshop and PaperPie (formerly Usborne Books & More) to sell new books in the MPA Gallery during the week of the Book Festival. There will be exciting, high-interest titles available for kids from PreK through Upper School, so everyone can find a book to fall in love with this winter!

The MPA Book Festival will run from Monday, February 10, to Wednesday, February 12, from 7:45 AM-3:30 PM and Thursday, February 13, from 7:45 AM-10 AM. That Wednesday will also feature a Pairing Assembly for students!

Payment options include credit cards or checks. Online ordering will be available. All proceeds will benefit the Martin Lenz Harrison Library.

Dr. Hudson’s Book Club

Join our community of adult readers and attend our Book Festival Book Club on February 12 at 6:30 PM in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library for Dr. Hudson’s Book Club! We will be discussing “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin. All are welcome to attend, even if this is your first time attending the book club. Please RSVP here.

Call For Volunteers!

Festival organizers are looking for one to two volunteers to help for each of the following days and tasks. Please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org if you can support this event!

  • Pick up books from Red Balloon in Saint Paul on February 6 at 1:30 PM
  • Tear down the event in the library on February 13 at 10 AM

Lower School Valentine’s Party

The PA is seeking volunteers to help out during the Lower School Valentine’s Party in the Lansing Center on Thursday, February 13. Kids will enjoy games, crafts, activities, face painting, and an obstacle course during their P.E. time. Join us for part of the day or the whole day! Sign up here.

Upper School Division News January 30, 2025

January 30, 2025

Upper School students acting during winter show.from Mark Segal, Upper School director 

Mark Your Calendars

  • Friday, January 31: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Agreements Sent
  • Friday, January 31: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
  • Friday, January 31: US Winter Show “Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of Baskerville,” 7-9 PM, Black Box, tickets >
  • Saturday, February 1: US Winter Show “Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of Baskerville,” 7-9 PM, Black Box, tickets >
  • Tuesday, February 4: Speech Tournament, 3-10 PM, MPA Campus
  • Wednesday, February 5: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
  • Thursday, February 6: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
  • Friday, February 7: US Classes Meet
  • Friday, February 7: US G10 Retreat, Deep Portage Retreat Center
  • Monday, February 10: MS/US Students & Screens Community Discussion, 1:45-3 PM, Recital Hall
  • Wednesday, February 12: All School Pairing Assembly
  • Thursday, February 13: US Senior Performances, 8-9:15 AM, Recital Hall
  • Friday, February 14: No Classes, Professional Development
  • Saturday, February 15: Returning Family Re-Enrollment Deadline
  • Monday, February 17: No Classes, Presidents’ Day
  • Tuesday, February 18: US Nordic Ski Banquet, 4:30-6:30 PM, Family Commons
  • Wednesday, February 19: US Band & Orchestra Concert, 7:30-9 PM, Nicholson Center

In today’s rapidly evolving world, young adults who identify as members of Generation Z (Gen Z), those 13-28 years old, stand at a unique crossroads of societal change. Recent research from the Pew Research Center indicates that Gen Z students face challenges and opportunities in their educational journey. As digital natives, those who have grown up in a “connected” world (technologically speaking) bring distinctive perspectives and needs to school communities. Even though they are frequently found using their technological devices (computers, tablets, cell phones, video games, etc.), they crave authentic interpersonal connections and seek why they need to learn what is being taught.

According to a 2023 study published in the Journal of Higher Education, Gen Z students demonstrate stronger engagement when they understand the practical applications of their coursework. This aligns with this generation’s logical approach to education. They want to know why some concepts “matter” and how they connect with the real world. The Harvard Educational Review says that this “purpose-driven learning approach” leads to stronger retention and application of knowledge. Gen Z learners value information taught to them and seek genuine and authentic ways in which that information applies to them in their pursuit of finding the right “fit” for college and a future profession. The International Journal of Educational Research states, “when educators share relevant personal information and create opportunities for meaningful dialogue in class, student engagement increases by up to 40 percent.” Building relationships and connections between students, teachers, and the taught curriculum leads to genuine interactions and honest discussions.

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