Help Us Invite Your Grandparent Or Special Friend To MPA

upper school grandparents day 2018Help us invite your Upper School student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on Wednesday, April 24! Grandparents and Special Friends Day has grown to include an event designed especially for Upper School. Visitors will receive a unique glimpse inside our older students’ life at MPA.

If you would like your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend to receive an invitation in the mail to attend, let us know by sharing their contact information here by March 8, 2019. Doing so does not register them for the event, but rather lets us know who you would like us to invite. Read More


Free Food For Thought Friday

Logan Segal serving himself lunchThis Friday, March 1, is our third Free Food For Thought Friday! For those that are unfamiliar with what this is, it is an opportunity for parents and students who normally don’t take hot lunch to try MPA’s lunch program for free. This Friday, along with the regular menu, there will be a calzone bar with homemade calzones!

If you and your student enjoyed the experience, Middle and Upper School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $430—equivalent to just $5.75 per day. Lower School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $380—equivalent to just $5 per day. Contact Amanda Platson, student billing coordinator, at aplatson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5502 to do so.


Special Guest Justice Alan Page Visits Lower School

Justice Alan Page reading to kindergarteners Last week, Justice Alan Page visited the kindergarten classroom where he read his newest book, “Grandpa Alan’s Sugar Shack,” to the kindergarten and third grade classes.

After the reading, the students had a chance to ask him questions and hear about his experience as both a justice and a pro-football player.

A warm thank you to Colleen Tierney, a kindergarten mom, for making this possible! It was such a treat to have Justice Page as a visitor and have him read his newest children’s book. Thank you, Justice Page! To see more photos of his visit, click here.


Celebrating Creativity at Maker Fest 2019

Ms. Wright with lower school studentThank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Maker Fest a success! This past Saturday, February 23, alumni, parents, students, and other members of the community came out to be Makers at the second annual Maker Fest. The woodworking group the North Star Scrollers had a woodworking station set up, as well as Jess Blue’s table where she helped attendees sew their own cloth bags. Knitting and crocheting stations, Lego spinning tops, and handmade wire dinosaurs were also among the many tables that people enjoyed visiting.

Thank you for sharing your inventions, interests, skills and projects! To see more photos from the event, click here. 


Panthers Race In State Ski Meet

State ski participants racing Congratulations to five members of the Nordic Ski team for participating in the State Nordic Ski meet! Senior Matthew Bourne placed fifth, junior Henry Snider placed 6th, ninth grader Isak Nightingale placed 54th, eighth grader Margo N. placed 24th, and sophomore Izzy Quam placed 34th at State.

Way to go, Panthers!


Students Build Unity On Deep Portage Trip

Tenth graders at Deep Portage Last week, the tenth graders went on a two-day, two-night trip to Deep Portage Conservation Reserve, which is located in north central Minnesota between Brainerd and Bemidji.

The purpose of the trip was to give students the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-life issues and problems, as well as build unity and community through a unique, memorable experience.

They spent lots of time in the superb “outdoor laboratory” that the Minnesota wilderness has to offer, and fostered an appreciation for our natural environment, as well as learned what needs to be done to live in harmony with it. “The weather was really nice during our time there,” commented one 10th grader, “and it was really fun to be outside with my classmates.”

In the words of the Deep Portage mission statement: “At the heart of the Deep Portage education is the belief that when people enjoy a quality experience in a quality environment, they are more likely to work to maintain a quality environment. This personal commitment is essential in preserving the environment for future generations.”


Spend Your Summer With Us

summer at mpa Summer is fast approaching, and we are excited to announce our 2019 Enrichment Classes, Panther Camp, and additional summer offerings! The variety of opportunities will help motivate and nurture your child’s curiosity and learning, while having lots of fun in the process!

Weekly-themed Panther Camp programs offer activities that allow students to explore nature, science, sports, arts, and so much more. Panther Camp is available June 10–14 and July 8–August 9. You can register your child for daily, half-day, and weekly Panther Camp options. Panther Camp is available 7 AM–6 PM.

Summer Enrichment Classes runs June 17–21 and offers a wide variety of engaging class topics such as: chess, art, science, academic, carpentry, sport, and more. Enrichment classes run 9 AM–4 PM, and during this week, free Panther Care is available from 7–9 AM and 4–6 PM.

During the week of June 24–28, we are offering the national award-winning STEM program, Camp Invention. This week-long camp consists of exciting, hands-on, inquiry-based activities that allow students to explore, create, and innovate. Camp Invention runs 9 AM–3:30 PM, with free Panther Care available 7–9 AM and 3:30–6 PM.

Also, for the first time ever, MPA is running a two-week long Summer Musical Theatre Camp directed by a local Twin Cities theatre director! Whether you have experience on stage or not, here is your chance to “SHINE.” This camp runs July 15–26 from 9 AM–12 PM, with a performance scheduled at end.

We look forward to a fun and productive summer, and hope you  join us! Register and learn more here. Please contact Russ Purdy at rpurdy@moundsparkacademy.org if you have any questions.


Food For Thought Fridays

Dr. Hudson with PreK students at lunchFriday, February 22 and Friday, March 1 are two more Free Food For Thought Fridays! These are opportunities for both students and parents to try MPA’s lunch program, in partnership with SAGE Dining.

If you and your student enjoyed the experience, Middle and Upper School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $430—equivalent to just $5.75 per day. Lower School students can add lunch for the remainder of the school year for $380—equivalent to just $5 per day. Contact Amanda Platson, student billing coordinator, at aplatson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5502 to do so.


State Honor Choir Participants

Isak Dai and Ryan Ghose with Mr. Habermann Congratulations to Isak Dai and Ryan Ghose on their performance with the State 9-10 SATB Honor Choir! Under the direction of Bradley Miller from the University of Minnesota Morris, Ryan and Isak sang a variety of repertoire with some of the best ninth and tenth grade musicians from across the state. Both are members of MPA’s Madrigal Singers and Concert Choir.


MPA Maker Fest This Saturday

Maker fest 2018Maker Fest 2019 is this weekend! On Saturday, February 23 from 1-3 PM, See our community’s hard work come to life in the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace. Anyone is welcome to attend as a spectator, and no RSVP is necessary! Students, parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, staff, and more will be showcasing a variety of skills, crafts, inventions, and activities.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Koen, Makerspace coordinator, at nkoen@moundsparkacademy.org. We can’t wait to see you there!