Upper School Archives

April 30, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

At Mounds Park Academy, our mission calls us to, “… teach students to think independently, communicate effectively, and act with respect and integrity in a diverse community that models intellectual ambition, global responsibility, and the joy of learning.” Our deep belief in our mission provides us with the momentum and desire to develop meaningful ways to live our mission to its fullest.

Over the next two weeks, we are honored to welcome a small group of students and administrators from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy (VMA) in Shenzhen, China, into our community. Their presence in our classrooms, hallways, and homes enriches the daily experience of learning, not only for them, but for all of us. These moments remind us that education extends far beyond textbooks; it is found in shared conversations, new perspectives, and the courage to connect across cultures. During their time here, the VMA students and administrators will also spend time visiting notable sites in the Twin Cities, as well as visiting college campuses. We hope to send interested MPA students to visit VMA in the spring of 2027.

This exchange is also part of a broader commitment to global partnership. We are excited to continue this journey next year with an exchange program with La Escuela Italiana in Mendoza, Argentina. Students from La Escuela Italiana will visit MPA in the fall, with an opportunity for students in our Spanish program to travel to Mendoza for two weeks over spring break. These opportunities reflect our belief that global responsibility is not an abstract idea. We practice this through relationship building, creating shared experiences, and further stretching our understanding of cultures different than our own. Read More

MPA Student Earns Top Honors At Two Regional Art Exhibitions

April 29, 2026

Congrats to Camille Hirsch ’26, who earned top honors at two major art exhibitions!

Her piece, “From Sunrise to Sunset,” was awarded best of show at the White Bear Center for the Arts Vision and Verse Exhibition, a juried show that highlights the connection between visual art and poetry. The work was also featured in the White Bear Press.

In addition, Hirsch’s piece, “Exclusion Zone,” received the top senior award at the COMPAS Emerging Young Artists Exhibition, which recognizes outstanding work by high school artists from across the Twin Cities. Hirsch is the first Mounds Park Academy student to receive either award.

The awards highlight Hirsch’s notable achievement and reflect continued success for the arts program. Way to go, Camille!

MPA Speech Team Places Second At State Meet!

April 27, 2026

Congratulations to the MPA speech team on a successful showing at the MSHSL Class A state tournament, earning a second-place team finish behind a series of top individual performances during the meet at Park Center High School.

Ash Klann ’26 (Original Oratory), Guy Schwieger ’26 and Nico Bergh ’27 (Duo Interpretation), and Warner Reid ’26 (Serious Interpretation of Poetry) each finished on top in their respective fields, all claiming state championships.

Not far behind were Sidd Sastry ’27 in Extemporaneous Speaking, Mina Kim ’26 in Great Speeches, and Oslo Norcross ’27 in Informative Speaking, all securing runner-up placements.

Additional top-five finishes included Andrew Buhr ’28, who placed fifth in Extemporaneous Speaking, Kelvyn Boddipalli ’26, who took fourth in Humorous Interpretation, and Andrea Pugh ’26, who finished fourth in Serious Interpretation of Prose.

We are so proud of how MPA wrapped up the MSHSL season at state, earning individual championships and a second-place finish as a team. Way to go, Panthers—you earned this!

Upper School Division News April 23, 2026

April 23, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Over the next couple of weeks, Mounds Park Academy is excited to welcome eight students and two adults from our partner school, Vanke Meisha Academy in Shenzhen, China, to campus. During their time in Minnesota, our guests will fully engage in the life of the Upper School, attending classes alongside MPA students and participating in the grades 10-12 Upper School Prom scheduled for the first weekend in May. In addition to campus life, the group will visit college campuses and cultural landmarks throughout the Twin Cities, offering them a firsthand experience of our local communities and region.

International exchange experiences like this play a meaningful role in preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world. Research consistently shows that students who participate in global learning opportunities develop stronger cultural competence, adaptability, perspective taking, and communication skills, qualities that colleges, employers, and MPA (think about our mission statement that refers to global responsibility) identify as critical for success. Exposure to different educational systems and cultural norms helps students move beyond stereotypes, deepen empathy, and better understand the global context in which they live and learn. These exchanges enrich the academic experience by extending learning beyond the classroom and grounding it in real-world relationships.

Importantly, the benefits of international exchanges extend to both travelers and host communities. Visiting students gain confidence, independence, and a broader worldview, while host students sharpen their intercultural communication skills and learn to see familiar routines through new perspectives. For school communities, these partnerships foster meaningful relationships, strengthen global citizenship, and affirm the idea that learning is enriched when diverse voices and experiences are welcomed into shared spaces. Hosting students from Vanke Meisha Academy allows our community to practice curiosity, hospitality, and respect, all values central to MPA’s mission.

MPA Speech Team Wins Section 4A Title!

April 22, 2026

Congratulations to the MPA speech team on an incredible performance again, repeating as the Section 4A champions! We’re excited to celebrate our state qualifying entries (students placing third place or higher):

Discussion: Finnley Henrikssen-Myers
Dramatic Interpretation: Veronica Finc
Duo Interpretation: Guy Schwieger and Nico Bergh
Extemporaneous Speaking: Sidd Sastry, Andrew Buhr, and Josh Murr
Great Speeches: Mina Kim, Tyyna Hall, and Kai Nguyen
Humorous Interpretation: Kelvyn Boddipalli
Informative Speaking: Oslo Norcross
Original Oratory: Ash Klann and LuaClaire Robert
Poetry Reading: Warner Reid
Prose Interpretation: Lucille Mayer, Hazel Reid, and Andrea Pugh

These students will advance to the state tournament on Saturday, April 25, at Park Center High School. Good luck to all our students advancing—the community is cheering you on every step of the way!

Five Things To Know About MPA From Rosie Bergh

April 22, 2026

Unique experiences, a warm and welcoming community, and support when needed have been Rosie Bergh’s experiences at Mounds Park Academy. Continue reading for Rosie’s top-five things to know at MPA!

1. It’s super easy to get involved.

Most students at MPA are in multiple clubs and activities; it’s a good way to meet new people. I ran the Reading Buddies program this year, and I was able to connect with the younger kids in the building.

2. Classes are smaller and allow teachers to better engage with students.

My average class size is about eleven people, which allows us to have valuable discussions where everyone contributes.

3. Homecoming is a unique experience.

Students go to the homecoming dance in costumes with their fall sports teams. What you dress up as is always a surprise to the other teams!
Read More

What Does It Mean To Belong?

April 16, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

What does it mean to belong? I think about this a lot. I often think about questions such as: What provides comfort? What creates space to develop confidence and pride? How does an environment affect one’s ability or willingness to share their own story?

Belonging. It’s something I believe we all want to say we feel in most, if not all, places and spaces we inhabit. According to The Kids Mental Health Foundation, kids who feel like they belong, “Do better academically, are less focused on being bullied or excluded, build friendships easier, and learn new skills.” While my motto will always be students first, I believe it is fair to say that those reasons and outcomes apply to adults as well.

Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting MPA alums in the Bay Area. As my time at MPA grows, and I meet more alumni, there is a consistent theme I am able to pull from my conversations—MPA left a lasting impression because somewhere within their time as students within our community, each alum could name a place, space, event, or teacher that created the validity of belonging within the community. It’s a moving experience to hear people’s stories, and to learn of what made moments special, and sometimes hard. Just like my time in New York, it felt like I was catching up with old friends. To be welcomed into that opportunity for reflection and conversation is a privilege and one that I do not take lightly. Read More

Upper School Division News April 9, 2026

April 9, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

As we enter the fourth quarter of the school year, the pace of the school year shifts noticeably. What began in late August as a marathon of steady progress now becomes a sprint to the finish line with graduation and the last day of school less than two months away.

Research on (student) motivation consistently shows that as people see themselves closer to their goal, effort and focus tend to increase. This phenomenon is known as the goal gradient effect, a concept first introduced by psychologist Clark Hull in 1932 that showed animals accelerated their behavior as they approached an established reward. A 2024 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology confirmed Clark’s hypothesis, finding that “participants completed demanding tasks more quickly and with greater effort when they knew a reward was close.” For Upper School students, the approaching end of the year brings a clear timeframe of completion with final projects, performances, quarter four final exams, and celebrations. The sense of almost being at the finish line can be energizing, but it also requires students (and educators) to be organized and channel their energy productively.

At the same time, we must also realize that the final stretch of the school year is one of the most demanding periods for teenagers. Studies on academic stress reviewed in “The Journal of Child Psychiatry & Human Development” share that “students report higher heightened levels of pressure as they approach end-of-term deadlines and assessments.” With this comes the need for families to be more engaged and supportive of their students by establishing (or re-establishing) routines, bedtimes, the need for larger tasks to be broken down into more manageable steps, and maintaining the perspective that sometimes completing a task may be easier than striving for perfection. Read More

Join MPA’s Grade 5-12 Sailing Team!

April 9, 2026

MPA has a highly competitive and successful sailing team! MPA sailors have competed at the regional, national, and collegiate levels annually for many years. No experience or boat is needed to join, and all are welcome from grades five through 12. Sailing is a lifelong sport that is both technical and physical, and it is a great way to make friends from MPA and other schools.

Opti Race Team: Grades 5 & 6

Practices are on Mondays and Fridays from 3:30-6:30 PM.
Cost is $330 per season and includes coaching and the use of boats and other equipment.
Registration and more information can be found here.

420 Race Team: Grades 7-12

Practices are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-6:30 PM.
The cost is $630 per season and includes coaching and the use of boats and other equipment.
Registration and more information can be found here.

Details:

Spring season practices are being held now through May 28 at White Bear Sailing School.
Sailing is a spring and a fall sport and can be done in either or both seasons.
MPA’s team is coached and practices alongside sailors from Mahtomedi Public Schools, White Bear Public Schools, and other area schools.
Regattas are optional but encouraged and held on lakes throughout the Twin Cities and beyond.
Some personal gear is required to ensure safety on the water—some gear may be available to borrow.

If you have any questions, please reach out to MPA’s sailing team advisor, Natalie Waters Seum, at nwatersseum@moundsparkacademy.org. We hope to see you on the water!

Remembering Karen Benz

April 2, 2026

from Dr. Lori-Anne Brogdon, head of school

The Mounds Park Academy community recently lost one of its earliest founders, Karen Benz, whose vision, generosity, and steadfast commitment helped bring this remarkable school to life.

In my first year at MPA, I have found myself reflecting on the courage it took for those early founders to build something from nothing. Karen Benz was one of those people. She believed in the promise of this school before it existed—and because she did, generations of students have benefited. In many ways, we are all standing on the shoulders of Karen and her fellow founders.

MPA itself began as a dream. In December of 1981, founder Bob Kriescher gathered a small group of friends and parents from Breck School to form the first board of Mounds Park Academy. At that moment, there were no students, no teachers, and not even a building—only a compelling idea: a new kind of independent school rooted in curiosity, strong academics, and an inclusive community.

By the spring of 1982, that dream began to take shape—and one of the people who immediately believed in it was Karen. Read More