Swim Club Made Waves At State!

swim club swimmersIt’s an exciting time to be an aquatic Panther! The MPA Swim Club finished their season at the State competition last night with an abundance of achievements, spirit, and excitement for next year!

The celebrations began last week, when all of the swimmers competed in the Catholic Athletic Association Championship preliminary meet. More than 1,000 swimmers swam, and the ranks were tough: only the top 16 swimmers in each event were going to advance to the championship finals at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center. By the end of the meet, MPA had several Panthers very giddy about swimming in The U’s pool!

The CAA Championship was a huge meet, but most importantly, another opportunity for these swimmers to shine. All of their hard work, determination, and progress throughout the season was exemplified in these races. On the first night, the MPA first and second grade boys medley relay won their race, and the boys third and fourth medley placed second! And at the girls’ meet, the team placed eighth overall!

What started out as a team of three in 2004 has evolved into a team of State champions. We are so proud of our young athletes and can’t wait for them to continue doing what they love. Click here for full meet results, view photos from the meets, and give our swimmers a huge congratulations!


MPA Section Speech Champs!

Students at state speech tournamentMounds Park Academy won the Section 4A Speech Tournament held today at MPA with a score of 95! There were 300 students competing from 19 different schools. MPA had 32 students competing in 12 categories. Second place was Watertown Mayer with a score of 35.

The next stop for the students who placed first through third will be the State Tournament on Saturday, April 21 at Apple Valley High School starting at 10:15 AM. Observers are welcome and encouraged! Congratulations and Go Panthers!

Today’s results are as follows … Read More


Lower School School Supplies

School supplies on deskIt’s never too early to get a head start on school supply shopping! MPA is offering prepackaged school supplies in Lower School once again, as a convenience to our families. In addition, next year’s Lower School supply lists have been posted under Families > Lower School Resources.

Purchase supply kits >

Lower School lists >


Summer Soccer Camp

Boys playing soccer at recessAnother awesome summer activity being offered for boys and girls in grades K-6 is Soccer Camp, June 25-28, 9-11 AM. Tim Sheehan and Mike Scinto, MPA soccer coaches and phy ed teachers, have designed a fun and challenging week of activities for all soccer players, beginner through advanced. Enhance your skills, learn something new and develop team concepts in a fun and friendly environment.

Sample curriculum: dribbling, passing, receiving, turns, fakes and moves, shooting, moving without the ball, passing combinations, individual defending, and defensive support. All campers receive individual instruction and a camp t-shirt. learn more >


Camp Invention Comes To MPA

Student on floor playing with legosMPA is partnering with the National Inventors Hall of Fame to provide Camp Invention June 25-29, a unique out-of-school-time enrichment experience with a science, engineering and math (STEM) focus. At MPA, this special week will be taught in the Makerspace by MPA teachers Nicole Koen and Debbie LaChapelle.

Camp Invention gives students in grades K-6 the opportunity to take risks, use creative problem solving, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset in fun and challenging ways. During the week-long adventure, students will design and build their own inventions, take apart gadgets, be part of a team, and have FUN! Also, free Panther Care is available 7-9 AM and 3:30 PM.

Register for this and all of MPA’s summer programs, here >


Come One, Come All To The Spring Auction!

Come one, come all to the Spring Auction 2018-Under the Big Top at the JX in Stillwater! This fabulous community building event allows parents, alumni, parents of alumni, faculty, and grandparents to connect, enjoy an evening out, and take home some fantastic auction items, all while supporting the school that brings us together! Purchase your tickets here!

There are many ways to support Mounds Park Academy, like becoming a Spring Auction sponsor! This is your ticket to the exclusive sponsor pre-party where you will have special access to the silent auction, great gatherings, and games! Become a sponsor here!

Another way is by donating an auction item. Items ranging from themed baskets to weekend holidays are needed and very much appreciated. Your contributions are what make this event possible. All items may be dropped off in the Development Office. See the auction item wish list here!

Read More


Please Note A Calendar Change

Student playing instrumentThe date of the Middle School Art Show Opening and the 5-12 grade Band Concert has been moved from Thursday, May 17 to Wednesday, May 16. The times remain the same, with the opening at 6 PM and the concert at 7 PM. Our apologies for this necessary change to the calendar!


Arts Education: A Beautiful Gift

Student showing parent artworkby Renee Wright, Lower School Director

Editor’s Note: On the first Thursday of each month, you will now find a guest blog post here from one of MPA’s division directors. We hope you will enjoy reading their stories and reflections about life at MPA!

A cherished MPA tradition continues for its 37th year on April 12, 2018, when the Lower School presents its Art and Music Show. You won’t want to miss seeing firsthand the pride on the faces of our Lower School students as they present their beautiful artwork and sing and dance joyfully for family and friends.

The first Lower School Art and Music Show debuted in 1982, never missing a year after that. The early years showcased student learning throughout the school year. Starting in 1989, the shows began to focus on specific themes, thoughtfully selected by the Lower School art and music teachers each year. Earlier themes included Around the World, Songs of America, Animal Fair, Disney, A Wonderful World of Color, Muppets: A Tribute to Jim Henson, Wild West, and many more. This approach has given each Art and Music Show a fresh look and created extraordinary student excitement and engagement.

This year, the students celebrate authors and illustrators of award-winning picture books. Students have studied how stories are conveyed through art and writing. They have learned to analyze the artwork in picture books for color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. Kindergartners have explored the colorful works of Eric Carle and Richard Scarry. First graders have learned from the creativity and imagination of Ezra Jack Keats and Lois Ehlert while second graders have enjoyed the rollicking rhymes of Dr. Seuss and the engaging characters of Lucy Cousins. Third graders have been charmed by the gentle animals of Jerry Pinkney and Jan Brett and fourth graders have explored the engaging, innovative works of Sara Fanelli, Chris Raschka, and Barbara Knutson. Books by these authors and illustrators have also been the inspiration for movement, instrument playing, and singing in music class during the year. These creative artists have served as talented role models for our students, and now the students are prepared and excited to present their own inspirations to family and friends!

Read More


Upper School Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Student working with grandparentsRegister your Upper School Student’s Grandparent or Special Friend for a day at MPA on April 25!

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.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018
Gallery Entrance

9 AM: Registration, Coffee, Morning Treats
9:35 AM: Attend Students’ Second Block Classes
10:40 AM: Attend Preview of The Sound of Music With Students
11:25 AM: Lunch With Students
12:20 PM: Event Concludes for Grandparents and Special Friends. Students return to their regular schedules.

If your child’s Grandparent or Special Friend is able to attend, kindly RSVP them by clicking here for the registration form, emailing GPDayRSVP@moundsparkacademy.org, or calling 651-748-5530. Include your name, your student’s name(s), and the Grandparent or Special Friend’s name(s). Please register by April 20.

Any questions may be directed to Susan Robertson, Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Manager, at srobertson@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5531.


MPA Athletics Survey

mpa athleticsThe Mounds Park Academy Athletics Department is conducting a survey regarding athletic participation for the 2018-2019 school year. We are specifically looking at Minnesota State High School League Sponsored Athletics and offerings provided by Mounds Park Academy. This survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes. Your responses to this survey will help us look at our current athletic model and determine if Mounds Park Academy is accommodating the athletic interests and needs of our students. Please access the survey here.

If you have any questions, please contact Dan Haase, MPA Athletic Director.