All School Archives

An Update From Former Teacher Karen Franke

November 10, 2025

Being a teacher has many rewards. None is as great as bumping into one of your students years later and feeling humbled that they recognized you, even though 25 years have passed.

This is what happened to my husband, Tim Franke, this past summer, when he was on the same flight as one of our former students from Mounds Park Academy (MPA).

My name is Karen Franke, and Tim and I had the pleasure of teaching at MPA from 1993 to 1999. It was a unique experience for us as we not only could work in the same school but also within the same grade level, sharing the same students (I taught fifth-grade social studies and language arts, and Tim taught fifth and seventh-grade science). Although this part of our life was a long time ago, we had very fond memories of our time at MPA. So much so that we have reconnected with many of our students on social media over the years. And what we have discovered about those fun, intelligent, well-read, and inquisitive students did not surprise us in the least. Their bright futures were evident to us way back then, given the dedication of the MPA community to ensure that every student reached their full potential. We both smile, thinking, “We knew them when!”

Then & Now: Speech And Debate

November 10, 2025

From Ryan Ghose ’21

Since its founding, MPA has taught students to think critically and communicate effectively—and it seems to be working! Nowhere is this excellence more evident than in MPA’s enduring speech and debate programs, where ambitious students join dedicated coaches every day of the week for practices and competitions. I got the chance to catch up with speech coaches Kari Kunze and Tanner Sunderman, and debate coach Katie Murr, to chart how the activities have evolved over the years and what their hopes are for the future of the programs.

Speech

Some quick facts about the speech team:

Team Size

2000: 7 students
2003-2008: 100 students (peak)
2025: 40 students, but most students compete in two categories (“double entering”).

Format

Most categories have stayed the same since the 90s, with the exception of:

Duo Interpretation: Introduced in 1996, two people perform an interpretive piece of any genre.
Program Oral Interpretation: The newest category, students can compile multiple pieces of writing from different mediums to tell a connected story.
Extemporaneous Speaking and Discussion: The advent of Wi-Fi has given way to online databases and the option to search the web for evidence mid-tournament.

Coaches

Many alumni have come back as assistant coaches, but the biggest shift has been a new head coach, Tanner Sunderman, who took over in 2015!

MPA continues to push boundaries in speech, competing in more national tournaments and earning its first national speech and debate association title in 2025. Additionally, Tanner Sunderman shared with me that students last year successfully presented in front of the MSHSL to change the format of Great Speeches to allow for analysis of any type of communication. Check out a tournament next year to see the impacts of MPA students’ advocacy! Read More

A Message from Isaac Marshall ’11

November 10, 2025

When I started at Mounds Park Academy in eighth grade, I was uncertain about how I’d fit into a community that had already been together for years. Rather than making me feel like an outsider, the small class sizes and welcoming peers helped me settle in and find my place. I quickly came to know everyone, and everyone knew me.

MPA gave me more than just a sense of belonging. From analyzing diverse perspectives to tackling problems across disciplines, MPA’s curriculum taught me to approach challenges creatively and think critically. Ms. Conway’s constitutional law class ignited my interest in conducting legal research and structuring arguments years before I knew I wanted to attend law school.

Even today, I’m continuing to discover the value of the foundation MPA helped me build. Read More

Parents Association News And Events November 6, 2025

November 6, 2025

In case you missed it, stay in the loop with the Parent Press: November Edition!

Save The Dates!

Below is a preview of exciting opportunities for families to build community at MPA through the winter. Don’t miss your chance to volunteer, donate, and/or show up for the fun!

Monday, December 1: Community-Wide Parents Association Meeting
Monday, December 8- Friday, December 12: Book Festival!
Friday, January 23: Family Trivia Night!
Thursday, February 12: Lower School Valentine’s Day Parties!

More details to come. We look forward to seeing you around school in the coming months! Please email PA@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions.

Upcoming Events

Friday, November 14: Lower School Family Forum, 8-9:45 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Tuesday, December 9: Middle School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
Friday, December 12: Upper School Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, PCR
Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library, RSVP here >

Where Every Gift Shapes Tomorrow

November 6, 2025

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

When interviewing for the head of school role at MPA, I remember meeting with various members of the community who shared with me their “MPA moment.” Some were tied to a specific experience, while others were connected to a feeling or overarching theme. Now, as a member of the community, it’s a beautiful feeling to be able to share my own MPA moment, or moments, as it seems I experience a new and memorable one each day!

One of my favorites thus far has been hearing from our seniors their own MPA moments. Much like when I interviewed, they share the significance of experiences such as an overnight school trip, a class or club that ignited a new interest, or the friendships made from playing in the band, on a team, or being part of the musical. What I love most is that their memories span from Lower School through senior year.

These MPA moments, and those to come, would not be possible without the incredible support of our community. From November 16-22, we will honor MPA’s mission by coming together to support the 2025 Fall Campaign: MPA, Where Every Gift Shapes Tomorrow.

Your gift toward the fall campaign makes it possible for each member of our community—current and future—to experience their own MPA moment. From curricular and extracurricular experiences to supporting our incredible faculty, staff, and facilities, your generosity ensures the continuity of our impressive program, as well as the school’s ability to turn new dreams into reality. Read More

Meet Your PA Board!

November 4, 2025

Meet the remaining PA board members! We asked board members how long their families have been at MPA, the names and grades of their children, one of their favorite MPA traditions, and if they could swap with their child for one day at MPA, what they would look forward to the most.

Adi Boeder Risner ’02 | Treasurer

This is my eighth year at MPA with my own family, but as an alum, I’ve actually been part of the community for 18 years. My children, Luke (fifth grade) and Levi (second grade), love being part of MPA as well. One of my favorite traditions is the pairing assemblies—I still remember having a fourth-grade buddy when I was in kindergarten, and it’s incredibly special to see my kids enjoy the same experiences. If I could swap places with them for a day, I’d most look forward to going to the library. Having dedicated time to discover new books in a peaceful setting sounds wonderful—and, of course, I wouldn’t miss lunch! These kids are so lucky.

Lower School Division News October 30, 2025

October 30, 2025

from James Ewer, Lower School director

As October comes to a close, we enter a season that calls us to slow down, notice, and give thanks. This is the time of year when students begin to settle into routines and friendships deepen. It’s also a perfect moment to pause and help our children reflect on the people and experiences that fill their lives with meaning.

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you.” It’s about recognizing how others contribute to our joy and growth. When families take time to name moments of kindness—big or small—it helps children understand empathy at a deeper level. They begin to see the world not only through their own eyes but through the experiences of others.

Try weaving gratitude into your family rhythm. At dinner or bedtime, ask your child:

Who made your day better today, and how?
What’s one thing you’re grateful for that you didn’t notice yesterday?
When did you make someone else’s day better?
What did you learn about yourself through something that didn’t go as planned?

These moments of reflection help our children grow in compassion, humility, and joy. Gratitude grounds us. It reminds us that even in a busy world, connection is what matters most.

Peace and Love,

Mr. James

SEL in the Classrooms
Lower School students will take part in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons every other week. These lessons will help students build skills in self-awareness, empathy, communication, and problem-solving. In addition, we’ll be offering small groups and lunch bunch opportunities to further support students’ social growth and connection within our school community. Read More

Middle School Division News October 30, 2025

October 30, 2025

from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

And just like that, we are at the end of October and the end of our first quarter of school! As we wrap up our first quarter of the school year, I want to encourage you all to practice the art of reflection. With our students, we want them to reflect on their learning and look for ways to honor their hard work and accomplishments, while also looking for potential areas of growth. With our faculty, we have been reflecting on what we have learned about our learners (through providing them feedback on assignments, getting to know them better on our orientation trips, and even looking at their MAP data) during the first quarter and looking for ways to help them grow and improve. And, as a division, we are always looking for ways to help support our families and provide you with the information and resources you may need to be able to dream big and do right with your child(ren).

Your i-Term Forms Are Due By Friday, October 31!

Last week, we announced our i-Term 2026 courses to all students and emailed Middle School parents our i-Term course brochure and sign-up form. Those forms need to be filled in by the end of the day on Friday so we can start to build course rosters and move forward on planning these courses. We are so excited to have a wide breadth of new and returning favorite courses to offer to our students this year, and we will work hard to ensure that each student gets one of their top choices. Read More

Upper School Division News October 30, 2025

October 30, 2025

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

As we draw to the end of the first academic quarter, it is important for students (and their families) to reflect on their achievements and challenges experienced during the first quarter of the 2025-26 school year. Looking ahead to the second quarter of the school year presents an opportunity for students to celebrate their first quarter successes while at the same time identifying areas of challenge they can improve upon during their subsequent quarters, starting with the second quarter.

Education expert and champion of progressive education John Dewey shared that, “we do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” Taking time to assess what has been learned can lead to greater motivation moving forward. Transitioning into the next quarter requires a mindset reset. Students should consider what strategies worked well for them and which may need a little more attention or “adjustment.” They can (and should) spend time evaluating their study habits, seeking and using additional resources, and establishing goals for the upcoming quarter. Carol Dweck, a psychologist known for her work on mindset, shares, “The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.” Embracing a growth mindset can empower students to look ahead to the new quarter with renewed energy.

As students reflect on their first quarter, it is important to engage with peers, teachers, parents, and administrators. Collaborative discussions can provide new perspectives and valuable insights that can help in setting realistic goals for the upcoming quarter. Building a strong support network fosters an environment where students can thrive personally and academically. As students (and their families) prepare for the second quarter, it is important to remember that growth often comes from the challenges we face and the support we give (or receive) from one another. Read More

Parents Association News And Events October 30, 2025

October 30, 2025

Halloween Pop-Up Book Fair On October 31 From 7 AM-4 PM! Shop around Halloween Parties, before, or after school. Local bookseller, Liz, will be selling a variety of books in the Martin Lenz Harrison Library. Preview the books or shop online at BookBizLiz.com. All proceeds benefit our library!

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, November 18: Coffee & Connections With The Head of School, 8 AM – 9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Monday, December 1: Community-Wide PA Meeting, 8-9 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Monday, December 8-Friday, December 12: Annual MPA Book Festival, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Thursday, December 18: PA Book Club with Dr. Brogdon, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library | We will be reading “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt. Please look for our RSVP form in the upcoming Parent Press!