All School Archives

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

Parents Association News And Events May 7, 2026

May 7, 2026

Tokens of appreciation on behalf of all MPA parents!

Our Parents Association is celebrating MPA faculty and staff! On May 5, for National Teacher Appreciation Day, we hosted smoothies from La Vita Espresso during their lunch hours, and this morning, donuts and hot beverages were served. These delicious treats were enjoyed by many!

To continue the gratitude, the Parents Association will be making and delivering floral bouquets to staff members on Friday as part of this year’s National Teacher Appreciation Week. To all MPA faculty and staff, for your continued teaching, care, and support for the students of MPA—thank you!

To all parents, in case you missed it, check out the Parent Press May edition sent last night.

Applied Painting Completes 14th Annual Painted Piano

May 3, 2026

Every year, Upper School Applied Painting students at Mounds Park Academy paint a piano together. The first piano was painted in 2012, making this the 14th annual piano! The painted pianos are part of an ongoing partnership between the MPA Art Department and Keys 4/4 Kids, a local non-profit that refurbishes pianos and supports art and music programs in under-resourced communities.

The painted pianos are placed around the Twin Cities as part of the Pianos on Parade program. The piano that Applied Painting students painted last year is currently on display at Red Balloon Book Store in St. Paul.

A theme is decided each year, based on ideas submitted by students and also considering the design and era of the actual piano. This year’s piano included flowers carved into the molding on both sides of the front panel. This detail created a natural match for the delicate flowers seen in Christi Belcourt’s work. Belcourt, a prominent Métis artist from Canada, granted students permission to reference her painting, “Bird Song,” for this project.

Students began their study by going on a field trip to see Christi Belcourt’s piece, “It’s a Delicate Balance,” at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and also Dyani White Hawk’s exhibit Love Language at The Walker Art Center. The field trip helped students compare and contrast the two Contemporary Native artists, both of whom are heavily influenced by traditional beadwork, yet apply that inspiration in very different ways.

Students worked collaboratively to paint the piano; They signed up to complete needed tasks throughout the various stages of the process, including painting the base, mixing the colors, drawing the design, transferring the design, and painting dots. Lots and lots of dots! Students learned that Belcourt uses knitting needles to create dots, and so they emulated that technique.

In addition to working on the piano in shifts, students each created a pair of related paintings. Students selected and researched a Native Artist or Native Art Form of their choice to influence their compositions. The group selected a wide variety of topics to study, including painting, collage, tapestry, quillwork, and beadwork. With the intention of learning and honoring, not appropriating, students credited their influences on the tags, while also incorporating their own ideas into the work.

Please enjoy viewing the connections between collaborative and individual work—a wonderful blend of both unity and variety!

Parents Association News And Events April 30, 2026

April 30, 2026

Join In!

Upper School Parent Social | Saturday, May 2: 8-10 PM, Lucky Guys Distillery, Hudson, Wisconsin, RSVP >

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 >

Coming Up Next Week

Upper School Division Coffee | Monday, May 4: 8 AM, PCR

Current Upper School parents and Class of 2030 (rising ninth grade) parents are warmly invited to join us for the final Parents Association Upper School Quarterly Coffee of the year. This gathering will center on an “If I knew then what I know now” theme, with current Upper School parents sharing insights, reflections, and practical advice from their personal experiences to help families early in their Upper School journey and/or those preparing to enter Upper School.

In addition, Upper School director Mark Segal will share important information about the end-of-year Upper School calendar, along with key details related to graduation.

We hope you’ll join us for this helpful and community-building conversation as we wrap up the school year and look ahead!

MPA Parents Association National Teacher Appreciation Day | Tuesday, May 5: 8 AM-3 PM, Peacock Family Teaching Kitchen

MPA PA Middle School Quarterly Coffee | Thursday, May 7: 8-9:30 AM, Gallery

Living Our Mission To Its Fullest

April 30, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

At Mounds Park Academy, our mission calls us to, “… teach students to think independently, communicate effectively, and act with respect and integrity in a diverse community that models intellectual ambition, global responsibility, and the joy of learning.” Our deep belief in our mission provides us with the momentum and desire to develop meaningful ways to live our mission to its fullest.

Over the next two weeks, we are honored to welcome a small group of students and administrators from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) in Shenzhen, China, into our community. Their presence in our classrooms, hallways, and homes enriches the daily experience of learning, not only for them, but for all of us. These moments remind us that education extends far beyond textbooks; it is found in shared conversations, new perspectives, and the courage to connect across cultures. During their time here, the VMA students and administrators will also spend time visiting notable sites in the Twin Cities, as well as visiting college campuses. We hope to send interested MPA students to visit VMA in the spring of 2027.

This exchange is also part of a broader commitment to global partnership. We are excited to continue this journey next year with an exchange program with La Escuela Italiana in Mendoza, Argentina. Students from La Escuela Italiana will visit MPA in the fall, with an opportunity for students in our Spanish program to travel to Mendoza for two weeks over spring break. These opportunities reflect our belief that global responsibility is not an abstract idea. We practice this through relationship building, creating shared experiences, and further stretching our understanding of cultures different than our own. Read More

MPA Student Earns Top Honors At Two Regional Art Exhibitions

April 29, 2026

Congrats to Camille Hirsch ’26, who earned top honors at two major art exhibitions!

Her piece, “From Sunrise to Sunset,” was awarded best of show at the White Bear Center for the Arts Vision and Verse Exhibition, a juried show that highlights the connection between visual art and poetry. The work was also featured in the White Bear Press.

In addition, Hirsch’s piece, “Exclusion Zone,” received the top senior award at the COMPAS Emerging Young Artists Exhibition, which recognizes outstanding work by high school artists from across the Twin Cities. Hirsch is the first Mounds Park Academy student to receive either award.

The awards highlight Hirsch’s notable achievement and reflect continued success for the arts program. Way to go, Camille!