Middle School Archives

Meet Assistant Director Of Admission Hannah Smith

March 21, 2024

Hannah Smith is the assistant director of admission (Lower School) at MPA, and a parent of two MPA Lower School students and one MPA Middle School student. Continue reading to get to know Hannah and contact her to learn more about Lower School at MPA!

When and how did you first come to MPA?
I came to MPA through my children about two years ago! We found ourselves seeking a different school for our kids, and ended up falling in love with MPA. After we enrolled our kids, I was ready to rejoin the workforce and so hoped to be apart of the MPA community as an employee in addition to a parent.

What memories do you have of your first days at MPA?
Kindness. Every single person in the building came up to me and not only introduced themselves but asked how I was doing and what they could do to help my transition.

How does MPA inspire students who dream big and do right?
By celebrating failure! Students with big dreams are taught that their goals are more than attainable, but nobody gets it right on the first try. MPA also has exceptional faculty to help students achieve whatever their dreams entail. Read More

A Vibrant Place To Learn And Grow

March 19, 2024

This message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 10, 2024 issue of InsideMPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

In and beyond the classroom, MPA students are inspired to pursue their aspirations with confidence and curiosity.

Last week, Middle School students embarked on Innovation Term (i-Term). This signature MPA Middle School program offers students a learning experience like no other in a single class of their choice. One week long and entirely ungraded, this is inquiry-based, experiential learning that far exceeds what can normally happen in the classroom. Some chose a French immersion experience in Quebec City. Others observed biology in Costa Rica. No matter which class they choose, students in small, mixed-grade classes go out into the world, work with subject-matter experts, and ignite some serious passions along the way. Read More

Meet International Student Ella Li ’24

March 11, 2024

Ella Li has been at MPA since eighth grade. She is from China and is currently living with an MPA host family. Learn more about our international student program and becoming a host family here!

What do you love about MPA?
I love the various curriculums at MPA. I can take different humanities courses, like world history, Western literature, US history, etc. From these courses, I have been able to learn about many interesting cultures and read high-quality literature works from the US. Also, I can access different levels of math classes, like algebra, statistics, and calculus, which inspired my curiosity to explore more knowledge. MPA’s science courses, such as physics, chemistry, biology, and environmental science, are wonderful. Additionally, I like watercolor drawing, painting, and photography. At MPA, I have opportunities to take various art courses, such as art and design. All of these courses enrich my life at MPA.

How is your experience at MPA different than your former school?
At MPA, I have a closer relationship with each teacher and classmates. During class, I have a lot of group discussions and projects with my classmates. We could share many exciting ideas and help each other. After class, I am also very willing to discuss questions with my teachers. They always give me detailed explanations, enabling me to understand the content I learned clearly. In my former school, I spent most of my time preparing for standard tests, rarely had opportunities to discuss questions with teachers, and participated in after-class activities. Read More

Welcome to MPA, Paul Errickson!

March 9, 2024

Mr. Paul Errickson will be joining us as Middle School director in June 2024! Please watch for ways to warmly welcome him to our community. Take a moment to get to know Mr. Errickson and the wealth of experience he will be bringing to MPA.

From what school/organization are you coming?
I am joining you from The American School of Warsaw in Warsaw, Poland.

Tell us about your education and past experience.
I spent my early years of education at the University of New Hampshire, earning a B.S. in environmental conservation with a minor in outdoor education and an MEd in secondary education, all while competing on their men’s track and field team as a hammer thrower. I also earned a MEd in independent school leadership from Teachers College at Columbia University. I have taught and led in six different schools in four different countries and have held roles ranging from camp counselor and learning coach to head of middle school. I have worked Croo in the Appalachian Mountain Club’s high mountain huts of the White Mountains in New Hampshire, and I spent a year as an AmeriCorps member teaching about watersheds and stream ecology. I’ve always found ways to get involved with students outside of the classroom, from coaching soccer and helping out with musicals to leading outdoor trips—hiking, skiing, or ice climbing—in the mountains.

What did you find appealing about MPA?
First of all, I was struck by the simplicity and conviction of MPA’s motto: Dream Big. Do Right. As a principled leader who believes deeply in inspiring our students and teaching them about servant leadership, I immediately connected to MPA’s aspirational motto. The more I learned about MPA, the more I loved it as I read through the stories on your website and saw your commitment as a school for “dreamers and doers.” And, then I got to visit the school and meet the people at MPA. From the moment I stepped into the building, I experienced a warmth and an ethos of learning, acceptance, and energy that I have not felt in many other schools. Filled with nooks and joyful students, MPA revealed itself to be a place that values relationships and connection—across all grade levels. I felt the energy from every student, teacher, and adult that I talked with on that day. Read More

Micah Hudock Becomes MPA All-Time Leading Boys Basketball Scorer

March 7, 2024

Micah Hudock ’24 wasn’t sure if he would end up becoming the MPA all-time leading scorer in boys history. After missing time due to injuries, the senior needed to make the most of his opportunities on the court.

“I dealt with a lot of ankle injuries on my first, second, and third year playing on the team,” Micah said.

Overcoming the time missed, he was able to do just that, eclipsing the Panthers record for boys scoring by beating the previous high of 1,256. The previous record was held by Brendan Connolly ’17. Read More

Middle School Division News March 7, 2024

March 7, 2024

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, March 9: iTerm Share Fair, 2:20-3 PM, Family Commons
Monday, March 11-24: No Classes, Spring Break
Monday, March 25: Classes Resume at 8 AM
Friday, April 5: End of Quarter 3
Monday, April 8: Quarter 4 Begins

Middle School has been joyfully wrapped up in i-Term 2024 this week and we are so grateful for all our parents, community, faculty, and staff support to make the week possible!!! You’re invited to join us on Friday, March 8, from 2:15-3 PM, as we host an iTERM SHARE FAIR! Each course prepares a display to showcase what they did together, what they learned, share some new skills, and show off their products!

2024 MPA Spring Auction on April 19
Be on the lookout for information about the 2024 MPA Spring Auction, Together We Can Move Mountains, scheduled for Friday, April 19 at Dellwood Golf Club. This is your chance to attend a night of fun, inspiration, and community building while supporting MPA with fellow parents, alumni, and friends.

SPRING BREAK: Time for REST, BOREDOM, and CONNECTION
As we prepare for the long break ahead, I hope you’ll take time to rest, open spaces for boredom, and reconnect with each other–especially your middle. Our lives can be so hectic, so scheduled, and so centered around “tasks” that we forget to stop, take a break, cook a meal together, and even just watch a movie together. Enjoy your break. We’ll see you March 25.

MPA Summer Sports Camps

March 7, 2024

Registration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps with Volleyball Camps coming soon!

Panther Soccer Camp: June 10-13, 9-11 AM
Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend! register here >

Panther PE Summer Camp: June 17-20, 9:30-11:30 AM for grades K-2 and 1-3 PM for grades 3-6
Panther PE Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite PE activities and games. Bring a friend!
K-2 register here >
3-6 register here >

Panther Basketball Camp: July 8-11, 8-9:30 AM for grades K-4 and 9:30-11:30 AM for grades 5-8
MPA’s Head Basketball Coach, Chris Hopkins, will be running these basketball camps for students in grades K-8. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
K-4 register here >
5-8 register here >

See all of the incredible summer offerings, including Skyhawks Sports Camps here!

Host Families Needed; Referral Bonus Offered

March 7, 2024

We are so fortunate to welcome international students from around the world to MPA through our International Student Program. A $10,000 per student stipend is paid to host families to cover the cost of room, board, and transportation from August to June. Typically, families host for at least one full year and sometimes for a student’s entire MPA experience. As you warmly welcome this student into your home, you will gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, a lifelong relationship with your students, and so much more.

If you are interested …
Contact Cory Becker-Kim, international student program coordinator, at international@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5541. Get started on the host family application form here.

If you know someone outside our community who is interested …
Please share mpa.link/host with them. When they reach out, share your name, and become an approved host family, you will receive a $200 referral bonus in the form of a Visa gift card.

Thank you in advance for your interest and/or for recommending this opportunity to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

MPA Sailing: All Are Welcome, Grades 7-12!

March 7, 2024

from Parker Ziegler, team captain

The MPA sailing team is genuinely for anyone, from first-time sailors to national competitors. Although we have plenty of practice time (3:30-6:30 PM Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays), we’re about flexibility, not just competition. Although it’s encouraged to attend all the practices and then regattas on Saturdays, it’s not required. “In my first years, I was hesitant about all the practices and had very little experience, but over the years, the sailing team allowed me to find close friendships and improve my sailing skills, and now I can’t wait to get on the water,” said MPA sailor, Alex Bixby ’25. Read More

I’m Grateful For All Of It

March 7, 2024

Save The Date: Retirement Celebration, May 30

Mr. Scott Wilson has shared that he will retire at the end of the 2023-24 school year after 24 years of teaching in Lower School at MPA. He said, “My time at MPA has given me immeasurable special moments and allowed me to be part of an incredible group of professional teachers and staff, both past and present. I am so very thankful for the community of families and their students who have passed through my classrooms. I am honored to have been a part of their educational experience. I will miss the opportunities for comradery and collaboration with my fellow faculty, the spirit of MPA’s mission, and the opportunities to witness the joy of learning. The past 24 years have been quite a ride! I am grateful for all of it.” Read More