Mounds Park Academy

March 6, 2025

Registration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps! Check out our offerings below:

Panther Soccer Camp: June 9-12, 9-11:30 AM
Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend!
Panther Basketball Camp: June 9-12, 12:30-3 PM
MPA’s basketball coach, Chris Hopkins, will run these basketball camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
Panther P.E. Summer Camp: June 16-19, 9-11 AM for kindergarten-second grade, 1-3 PM for third through sixth grade
Panther P.E. Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite P.E. activities and games.

Parents Association News And Events March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

The MPA Parents Association invites you to Cultural Celebration Day on April 9 from 3:15-5:30 PM in the Family Commons!

Engage with community members who share their cultural heritage by enjoying sweet and savory rice dishes from around the world, an international tea bar, and experience beautiful music and dance performances!

Go home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist, try your hand at global crafts, learn how to make masala chai (spiced tea from India), master the steps to Bhangra, a traditional Punjabi folk dance, and chat with community members who will have booths set up to share their culture and/or offer samples of their cuisine.

Food and drink tickets ($1 each) will be sold at the event. Zabiha, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available.

There are several ways to participate in this event:

Host an informational table on the day of the event. Click here to sign up!
Help with planning food, music & dance performances, arts & crafts, etc.

If you would like to help host, plan, or have any questions, please email seema_anwar@hotmail.com.

Coming Together With Kindness, Generosity, And Community

March 6, 2025

from Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from members of the administrative team. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

When I started at Mounds Park Academy, it was the week of the 2016 MPA Spring Auction: Night at the Museum. I was immediately immersed in the energy and excitement of this incredible event. The development office buzzed with anticipation, but more than anything, I felt a profound sense of togetherness, the kind that defines MPA.

Experiencing my first Spring Auction was unlike anything I had been part of before. I was thrown into the whirlwind of planning, met incredible people, and saw firsthand what makes MPA so special. That night, I went home to my husband, Matt, and told him, “This is where I want to be.” That feeling of warmth, generosity, and joy has stayed with me ever since.

For me, the Spring Auction is, above all, about community. It is an evening where parents, alumni, employees, grandparents, and friends come together in celebration and support of our students and the future of MPA. It is a night filled with laughter, generosity, and the shared love we all have for this school. Read More

Then & Now: The MPA Theater Department’s Growth

March 5, 2025

from Sarah Ley ’18

“There’s no place like home” is a quote you may recognize from the 1939 classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Dorothy, the story’s protagonist, discovers that “home” isn’t so much a place as it is the people and experiences that bring her feelings of belonging and comfort. MPA often acted as a second “home” for us, thanks to wonderful faculty and staff, unique courses, and cherished friendships.

When I was a student, I found a home in the theater department. Thinking back on my favorite memories, many are defined by the musicals I acted in during Upper School. In Spring 2015, the first was “The Wizard of Oz,” directed by Elizabeth Seal. Opening after the retirement of beloved longtime theater director Barb Bradley, Oz marked a new era in the department. With a cast and crew of 60+ (no small feat considering graduating classes of ~50 students), the show drew veteran actors, newbies excited to explore theater, and, as munchkins, roughly 20 Lower and Middle Schoolers.

Since then, the theater department has continued to grow and adapt. Despite smaller cast and crew numbers following the pandemic, Middle and Upper School drama teacher and director James Lekatz shares that interest increases every year. In fact, the 2025 musical’s cast size will be double last year’s. Audiences have also returned en force, with several performances of the Winter Show selling out. Heather Mastel, Lower and Middle School drama teacher and director sees similar growth: this year’s Middle School Show, “Little Women,” boasted a cast of 25 and sold out all shows.

The Joy Of Being A PreK-12 Family

March 5, 2025

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 9 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

To close out the month of February, we gathered together in the Family Commons for “Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase.” The event was a wonderful reflection of connections forged between students of all ages–a distinctly PreK-12 experience.

Ahead of the event, students were immersed in research, combining prior knowledge with new findings and growing their appreciation and understanding. Older students mentored younger ones, guiding them through these discoveries, while they brought fresh perspectives that reminded us all of the joy in curiosity.

Then, the evening opened with a gallery-style viewing of student work displayed throughout campus. In Lower School, a model of the historic Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans and Basquiat-inspired artwork. In Middle School, educational videos describing biographies of influential inventors, scholars, activists, and artists. In Upper School, the halls were lined with a timeline of Black History in America. And so much more. Read More

MPA Closed Wednesday, March 5

March 5, 2025

Good morning, MPA Families –

Unfortunately, due to the weather, we have decided to cancel all in-person classes, activities, and events for Wednesday, March 5. Upper School students should check Schoology by 8 AM for instructions from their teachers. Upper School students may have synchronous or asynchronous classes and/or work that they will be responsible for. All classes are canceled for Lower and Middle School.

We do not take this decision lightly as we balance the safety of our students, families, and employees with our commitment to having students at school. Safety, however, is always our highest priority.

We look forward to seeing you on campus on Thursday.

Sincerely,
Dr. Bill Hudson
Head of School

Five Things To Know About MPA From Emily Baker

March 4, 2025

What five things do you need to know about MPA? MPA tenth grader Emily Baker is here to tell you. We’re so happy to see the campus pond and native gardens made her list!

1. Athletic teams are no-cut.

Don’t be afraid to join a team; MPA welcomes all skill levels! Whether you’ve been playing for years or just starting out, there’s a place for you. I’ve made so many amazing friends on the soccer team and have grown so much as a player.

2. Student ambassadors are here to help.

As the Middle School representative on our student ambassador leadership team, I get to help welcome new students and make their transition to MPA as smooth and fun as possible. It’s such a great way to connect with others and make everyone feel at home!

3. We have a lot of school spirit.

MPA is all about lifting each other up. This photo captures the amazing turnout at our last Homecoming soccer game, an early morning match where the community’s energy helped push us to a dub! Read More

Golden Tickets Available Now—Get Yours Before They Are Gone!

March 4, 2025

The Gala of Gratitude is just around the corner, and we are excited to announce that Golden Tickets are now available. With only 100 Golden Tickets available at $150 each, you have the chance to win any live auction item of your choice, from an unforgettable Bali getaway to an exclusive private chef experience in your home. Read More

A Message From Alumni Board Member George Mills ’04

March 3, 2025

I hope this message finds you well and continuing to make a meaningful impact in the world! As you may know, each spring, MPA hosts its signature fundraising event—the annual Spring Auction. However, this year’s celebration will be unlike any other.

This year, we come together for a truly special occasion: the 2025 Spring Auction: Gala of Gratitude, an evening dedicated not only to supporting MPA but also to honoring the incredible legacy of Dr. Bill Hudson as he bids farewell as head of school. This will be his final auction, marking the culmination of his years of leadership, his dedication to education, and the profound impact he has made on our community.

In recognition of Dr. Hudson’s commitment to MPA and its students, we are proud to introduce The Hudson Fund for Resilient Students. This newly established endowment will provide crucial support to students facing unforeseen challenges, ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive no matter what obstacles arise. This year’s Fund A Need portion of the auction will be dedicated to growing this vital fund—an opportunity for all of us to contribute to Dr. Hudson’s enduring legacy.

Parents Association News And Events February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

Cultural Celebration Day at MPA is happening soon! Join us for an evening of food, music, crafts, and community on April 9, 3:15-5:30 PM. Let’s come together as a community to make this a fun, educational, and inclusive event!

There are several ways to participate in this event:

Host an informational table on the day of the event. Click here to sign up!
Help with planning food, music & dance performances, arts & crafts, etc.

If you would like to help host, plan, or have any questions, please email seema_anwar@hotmail.com.