All School

Advancing Learning For All

December 11, 2025

Two students learning while on a computer.from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

As we approach winter break, our school days feel especially full of both celebration and meaningful learning. This time of year is filled with performances, competitions, culminating academic projects, and the excitement of new seasons for athletics and clubs. Students, faculty, and staff are working hard to finish strong before winter break, while many families navigate an active calendar of events and begin planning for the weeks ahead. Amid this energy, I find it equally important to pause and reflect on the ways our community continues to learn, grow, and support one another.

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the inaugural Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting. With parents, caregivers, faculty, and staff from all three divisions gathered, the meeting was a beautiful reminder of the strength of our community. It also provided an opportunity to recognize the Parents Association board, their incredible efforts, and the many volunteers whose time and care have brought so many joyful moments to life since the start of the school year. Read More

Parents Association News And Events December 11, 2025

December 11, 2025

A student and parent at the MPA Book Festival. “Stories In The Snow” at the Book Festival has lived up to its name this week! Thank you to all the families who have joined and the parent volunteers who made it happen. There is still one day left to make purchases!

Please join us tomorrow during the following times or order online:

  • 7:30-8:30 AM
  • 12-1 PM

As we head into winter break, please look ahead for upcoming events in 2026 via the MPA calendar.

Congrats, MPA Debate Team!

December 8, 2025

Two MPA students posing with their trophies from the state debate meet. Congratulations to the MPA debate team on a fantastic performance at the Classic State Debate Festival. Fifty students represented the school and debated about the benefits and drawbacks of the U.S. military commitment to South Korea. Their countless hours of research, thinking, and practice contributed to numerous successes across the three divisions of competition—novice, junior varsity, and varsity and to the team finishing third in the sweepstakes competition.

We call the tournament the Classic Debate Championships in novice and junior varsity. In the novice division, the team of Maahi Bhalla and Alice Van Keerbergen advanced to the quarterfinal round. In the junior varsity division, the teams of Truman Wilgocki and Soren Winikoff and Drew Buhr and Harper Short advanced to the octafinal round. The team of Kelvyn Boddipalli and Nico Bergh advanced to the quarterfinal round.

The varsity division is called the Minnesota State High School League Classic Debate State Festival, as the MSHSL sponsors the awards for this event. Three teams had standout performances. The team of Yusuf Ali and Liam Kimmerle narrowly missed advancing to the elimination rounds and finished tenth. The team of Josh Murr and Lucille Mayer advanced to the semifinal round of competition, losing on a narrow 2-1 decision. Finally, the team of Ash Klann and Mina Kim advanced to the final round of the tournament, finishing as runners-up in a very close round. Read More

Lower School Division News December 4, 2025

December 4, 2025

A Lower School student a teacher work together to make a pie.from James Ewer, Lower School director 

As we head into our upcoming break, I want to pause and simply say thank you. Thank you for trusting me with your little ones. Thank you for the countless ways you show up, ask thoughtful questions, and partner with us. We are deeply grateful to have your family in this community.

A long break is a gift. I hope you use it to take care of yourselves and come back feeling blessed, grounded, and ready for the months ahead. A few simple ideas:

  • Protect some true “off” time. Choose a day or an afternoon when you do not schedule anything extra. Just be together. This will be my focus.
  • Read for fun. Let your child see you reading something you enjoy and invite them to curl up with a book next to you, maybe with your favorite snack. We do apples and peanut butter!
  • Get outside every day. Even a short walk or time at a park can reset everyone’s energy. Yes, even when it’s cold!
  • Talk about feelings. Ask your child what they are proud of so far this year and what feels hard. Listen more than you respond. The question I love is “What gave you the most joy today?”
  • Plan one thing you are excited about when we return. Naming it now can help children shift back to school with more ease. I haven’t decided on mine yet, but I will.

Read More

Middle School Division News December 4, 2025

December 4, 2025

Middle School students painting a project.from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

I love December. I love the snow, and I don’t mind the cold too much. I love that we have sledding at recess and our annual Hour of Code week coming up. I love our Winter Concert next Thursday night and our Founders’ Day Pancake Breakfast that Friday. And I love how we send our students off into their winter break on Friday, December 19, with a day of service and fun for our fifth- and sixth-grade students and a winter carnival for our seventh- and eighth-grade students. Most of all, I love how this time of year reminds us of the progress we have made so far, and gives us the space to celebrate that learning.

One of the best ways we do this is with our Middle School Winter Concert. Next Thursday evening, December 11, all sixth- through eighth-grade students will perform in both their choir and band/orchestra groups. For parents and friends who arrive early, I encourage you to walk around the Middle School and Family Commons to see some of their amazing artwork that is on display—there has been so much inspiring work this fall! Here is more information about the concert timing and attire.

Also coming up next week, we have our quarterly Middle School Parent Coffee. At our last meeting, families were asking about the Upper School program and how we help to transition our students into the Upper School. We have asked Upper School director, Mark Segal, to join us on Tuesday morning, December 9, from 8-9:30 AM in the PCR to talk about the wonders of our Upper School and answer any questions you might have. If there’s something specific you hope for him to address or a lingering question you might have, please email me ahead of time, so I can be sure he is ready for us. Read More

Upper School Division News December 4, 2025

December 4, 2025

Two Upper School students working together to bake a piefrom Mark Segal, Upper School director

All Upper School students are invited to attend our annual Semiformal Dance on Saturday, December 13, at the historic Union Depot in St. Paul. School social events like this play an important role in fostering connection, joy, and belonging among our community members while offering them a space to build memories beyond the classroom. Bringing together all grade levels in the Upper School strengthens our sense of unity and allows students to celebrate as one community, reinforcing the relationships that make MPA such a vibrant and supportive place to learn and grow.

The Semiformal Dance is scheduled for 8-11 PM. Tickets went on sale this week and will continue to be sold through next week. Both cash and credit cards are accepted for payment. It is wonderful that this event is being held off campus at the Union Depot, and there will be signage directing students to the event space where the dance is being held: the Red Cap Room.
Read More

Parents Association News And Events December 4, 2025

December 4, 2025

A Lower School parent makes a pie with studentsThanks to all the parents who joined our inaugural PA Community-Wide Meeting on Monday! We’ll report back in the January edition of Parent Press. In case you missed it, here is our December edition.

Last Chance To Join The Book Club With Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon

Please join Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon and fellow book-loving parents for a discussion of Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel, “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” on Thursday, December 18, from 6-7:30 PM, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library! Light snacks and refreshments will be served. Please RSVP here by Friday, December 5.

Stories In The Snow Book Festival Is Next Week!

There are still a few slots open to volunteer! It’s not too late to sign up to make this festival a success.

Please visit MPA’s very own Scholastic website to…

  • Set up your child’s e-wallet (families may still pay with cash or credit card at the event).
  • Donate funds to Share the Fair.
  • Preview the books at our Book Festival.
  • Shop online from Monday, December 8-Friday, December 21 (25% of every online purchase directly benefits our library).

Book Fair Purchasing Hours

  • Monday, December 8-Tuesday, December 9: 7:30 AM-3:30 PM
  • Wednesday, December 10: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 2:30-4 PM (open later due to the after-school event)
  • Thursday, December 11: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-1 PM, 2:30-3:30 PM
  • Friday, December 12: 7:30-8:30 AM, 12-12:30 PM

Upcoming Events With MPA Admin!

  • Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
  • Thursday, January 15: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR (Date Change)

A Give To The Max Day Message From Dr. Brogdon

November 20, 2025

What an incredible week it has been! On behalf of MPA, I am grateful for the overwhelming participation and generosity of our community. From the Twin Cities to around the world, so many current and past families, alumni, and community members have demonstrated their commitment to MPA by participating in this year’s annual giving campaign. MPA’s strength and ability to dream big and do right come from the unwavering support provided to our students, faculty, staff, and program. Thank you!

Today’s Lip Sync Battle brought our student, parent, and staffulty community together through music, laughter, and joy. What a beautiful way to celebrate MPA, together! Congratulations to all our participants on a job well done! Like every day, today is a great day to be a Mounds Park Academy Panther!

The day is not over! So far, we have raised $270,967, but we are still asking for your help for the final push to $400,000. We have already unlocked $40,000 in matching funds. Let’s keep the progress going! Join me in shaping tomorrow at MPA!

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Parents Association News And Events November 20, 2025

November 20, 2025

A MPA P.E. teacher and Lower School student playing basketball. There’s “snow” place like the library! Please join us for “stories in the snow” at MPA’s annual book festival on Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12, in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library!

To help us celebrate the long-standing Book Festival tradition, the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to build your child’s home library with new books they’ll dive into again and again. Learn more by clicking here!

Sign Up To Volunteer

In order to make this event a success, we need volunteers to staff the browsing times for each of the grades, various times during the week when it is open for perusing & purchasing, and during some special after school events. Read More

An Opportunity To Experience MPA On A School Day

November 20, 2025

Middle School students doing science lab togetherThe school day PreK-12 MPA Preview is Thursday, December 11, 8:30-10 AM! With community members as your hosts, you’ll visit classrooms to see students and teachers in action and end the morning with an opportunity to ask any specific questions you may have. If you will be bringing a child, please do let us know.

MPA Previews are signature PreK-12 events designed to introduce you to the faculty, students, and families who make MPA the exceptional learning community that it is. You’ll hear from a variety of perspectives, be engaged in conversation, experience what a day in the life of an MPA student is like, and leave with a much better understanding of the MPA way.

RSVP today to discover why Mounds Park Academy is the #2-ranked private school in Minnesota.

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