All School Archives

We’d Love To See You At The Spring Auction!

May 3, 2018

Don’t miss out on the community building, exquisite cuisine, and wonderful entertainment at the Spring Auction on Saturday, May 12 at the JX in Stillwater! It is a cherished annual event that created MPA community memories and connections that last a lifetime. We would love to see you there, celebrating our school with us and having a wonderful night out! Click here to purchase your tickets online!

Enjoy this sneak peak of some of our Great Gatherings and Silent Auction Items…

Great Gathering: Clay Workshop with Ms. Buck
Ever wish you could learn to throw on the potter’s wheel or make a handmade cup to use for your morning beverage? Join MPA’s ceramic teacher and professional potter Lisa Buck for an action-packed workshop on pottery making. Be prepared to get dirty, partake in lively conversation, enjoy a delicious lunch and thrive in the joy of success! Limit six students (adults only!) October 27

Parent Resources For “13 Reasons Why”

May 3, 2018

On Tuesday, May 15 from 6-7 PM in the Recital Hall, MPA student support staff will host an information night for grade 7-12 parents regarding the upcoming second season of “13 Reasons Why,” which is stated to be released on May 18, 2018.

The evening will include conversation and resource sharing for parents in preparation for the release of the show. “13 Reasons Why” is a Netflix series that has prompted significant controversy and concern among parents, educators, and mental health professionals. The show depicts a central character who dies by suicide, leaving behind 13 tapes for different people in her life who affected her negatively. Mental health professionals have expressed concerns that the show fails to make any mention of the underlying mental illness that is present for the vast majority of young people. Furthermore, the show has received intense criticism for romanticizing suicide. The show also fails to adhere to “Recommendation for Reporting on Suicide” guidelines developed for media outlets by prevention specialists who discourage describing suicides in graphic detail.

Students are welcome to attend the informational gathering as well.

May 3, 2018

Now is the time to get excited about 2018 MPA fall sports and register now! Please note that there are new opportunities for students going into grade five!

MPA believes athletics complement the academic experience, provide balance to our students’ lives, and foster school spirit. We offer one of the broadest prep-school athletic programs in the Twin Cities with first-rate facilities. MPA coaches are teachers, and the fields are extensions of the classroom. Athletics at MPA encourage students to participate, engage, and dream big. Through this, student athletes develop commitment, character, perseverance, initiative, leadership and teamwork! With options including cross country, volleyball, tennis, and soccer, we are so excited for another outstanding fall season!

Sign-up for fall sports here!

2018-19 All State Choir And Band Honors

May 3, 2018

We have so much to celebrate in Upper School! Congratulations to the students who were selected for the 2018-19 All-State Choir and Band programs!

Jordan Akers, Solveig Svennevig-Brosi, Gabby Law, and Julia Portis were selected to be members of the 2018-19 All-State Choir. Jordan, Solveig, and Gabby will sing in the All-State Mixed Choir while Julia will represent MPA in the Soprano-Alto Choir. They will spend a week at St. Olaf College making music with some of the best high school musicians across the state this summer. Lauren Vilendrer and Lance Go were selected to be members of the 2018-19 All-State Band program! Lauren will join the All-State Symphonic Band and Lance will join the All-State Jazz Ensemble. They will participate in the All-State music camps this summer, rehearsing under a guest conductor with outstanding local high school musicians. Bravo to everyone! MPA is so proud of you!

2018 Athena Award Recipient

May 3, 2018

Congratulations to MPA Senior Abby Goodno for receiving the Athena Award! An outstanding multi-sport student athlete involved in basketball, soccer, and softball, Abby was honored for her athletic achievements at the MPA Upper School Monday morning meeting and at the annual St. Paul Area Athena Awards ceremony.

The award is named after Greek goddess Athena, known for her wisdom and skills, and thus the Athena Award honors female high school seniors for their athletic achievements. Dedication, confidence, achievement, and motivation are all taken into consideration when choosing a recipient. We are so proud of Abby for representing MPA with all of these traits!

Volunteer With MPA This Summer!

May 3, 2018

The summer is almost upon us! The Office of Admission is excited to be a part of several fun summer events and we are looking for volunteers to help us share MPA. We will be at the MSP Mini Maker Faire, Grand Old Day, and the Twin Cities Pride Festival. Volunteers can click on this link to sign up on a first come, first serve, basis. Please let me know if you have any questions and we’ll see you this summer!

Lower School Family Science Night Is Next Week!

April 26, 2018

Join us as we celebrate “Screen-Free Week” with MPA Lower School Family Science Night! This hands-on and extremely fun event is sponsored by the MPA Panther Club program, and is on Tuesday, May 1 from 6:30-7:30 PM in the Kreischer gym and cafeteria. Students must be accompanied by an adult to attend the evening full activities! Plus, you do not want to miss the “Magic of Science” presentation with Mr. Purdy!

Contact Russ Purdy at rpurdy@moundsparkacademy.org or (651) 748-5571 with any questions. Light refreshments will be served. We can’t wait to see you there!

Upper School Parents Association Meeting Tomorrow

April 26, 2018

Tomorrow, April 27, from 8-9:30 AM is the Quarter Four Upper School Parents Association Meeting! Please note meeting is being held in the Porter Conference Room (PCR).

Parents of incoming 2018-19 freshmen are encouraged to attend for a glimpse into Upper School at MPA! This meeting will cover a welcome to incoming freshmen parents, an overview of the Upper School Fine Arts Programs at MPA by Faculty of the Fine Arts Department, Quarter Four calendar events, and an all-call for the 2018-2019 MPA Parents Association Upper School Division Lead.

Explore County Donegal, Ireland!

April 26, 2018

This Spring Auction item will have you planning for your four-night stay for four at the luxurious Waterfront Hotel Dungloe in stunning County Donegal, Ireland, in no time! Voted the coolest place on the planet by National Geographic, Donegal boasts spectacular views, endless outdoor activities, and is host to the sets of Game of Thrones and Star Wars. The beautiful Waterfront Hotel with stunning views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean is a 49-bedroom luxurious hotel located in the heart of the Rosses. This stunning property offers amazing food and your stay includes complimentary breakfasts. The Waterfront Hotel on the Wild Atlantic Way has something for everyone with a range of overnight packages including golf, walking, angling and family breaks. The hotel is approximately a 45-minute drive from Letterkenny, voted one of the world’s top 10 most scenic landings and offering daily flights from Dublin and Glasgow, and 10 minutes from Donegal Airport. This auction item includes two rooms for four nights, breakfast each morning, three days with a local, personal concierge/tour guide, and a $4000 voucher with AerLingus.

An MPA Retirement And Celebration

April 26, 2018

Mary Beggin, a beloved Lower School teacher at Mounds Park Academy, has decided to retire at the end of this school year. While she may not come to our campus next year, her legacy will live on through the many students she has taught throughout the past 45 years, 20 of which were spent at MPA.

Mary, who has taught second, third, and fourth grade at MPA, is exceptionally passionate about teaching and has truly enjoyed her teaching career. She loves her children as if they are her own—connecting deeply with each and every one of them and their families.

Mary is known for going above and beyond for every child, having tutored and provided extra learning support for many Lower School students. She genuinely wants each child to recognize and focus on his or her strengths—she wants each child to feel even better about herself or himself when the year ends.