Upper School Archives

Class Of 2018: Pranay Somayajula, Woodbury, MN

May 29, 2018

As the 2017–18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!

In what grade did you come to MPA? 7th

How did you come to choose the college that you did? I realized that for my interest in politics and political science, the best place for me to be is Washington, D.C. Because of its location, George Washington was clearly the right college for me.

What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience? I’m really excited for the opportunity to be in a bigger environment and interact with students from a diverse array of experiences, backgrounds, and viewpoints.

Class Of 2018: Annika Ide, Hudson, WI

May 24, 2018

As the 2017–18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!

In what grade did you come to MPA? I came to MPA in kindergarten and I’ve loved it ever since. I had two older sisters who had attended MPA since before I was born, so this school has always been a big part of my life. When I was a baby, my mom used to stand me up on her lap in the car while we waited for my sisters in the lower school pick-up line. I would wave to kids and teachers (many of whom still work at MPA!). My family has been a part of MPA for 22 years.

How did you come to choose the college that you did? My sisters both attended UW Madison, so it’s always been on my radar as an option. It came down to the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon and UW Madison. In the end, I couldn’t pass up being a Badger!

Constitutional Law Goes To Court

May 24, 2018

On Wednesday, May 23, seniors in the MPA Constitutional Law class headed to the Minnesota Judicial Center to present arguments on current U.S. Supreme Court cases to panels of judges from the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

Filling four courtrooms in the building, each group of seniors presented their case for 30 minutes, including 15 minutes for both sides of the argument, similar to the way cases are truly argued before the Supreme Court. Each group has been working on one of six cases that the Supreme Court heard during this term.

MPA Is My Village

May 24, 2018

This is an excerpt from Nicholas Guiang’s ’18 senior speech, delivered on Friday, May 18, to Middle and Upper School students, faculty and staff, in the Nicholson Center. As a school community, we are immensely grateful for his family’s 24-year commitment to Mounds Park Academy.

Dear MPA,

Today I hold a unique challenge. I am not only thanking you for my time over the past 13 years, but I also hold the responsibility of thanking you for my family’s past 24 years.

For me, this spring signifies the end of those 24 years. It is the end of high school, childhood, and the end of a huge part of my life. In the fall, I will be heading off to Northwestern University to pursue my love of journalism, broadcasting, and sports. On June 9, I will toss my cap in the air on this very stage and these past 13 years, and the 13 years that each of my three older brothers spent here, will simply be the stories of old. However, MPA, you have been more than a school, you have been our home.

Reflecting On The Makerspace

May 24, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

One of my favorite things to do is to pop into the AnnMarie Thomas Makerspace. I am continually amazed and inspired by whatever is taking place. As I look back over the last year, I see even more clearly what an incredible gift the Makerspace is to our students. Full of light and color, it conveys the joy of learning that is a cornerstone of an MPA education. Amid the whimsical playfulness, there is also serious learning happening. Lessons are taught from a variety of disciplines but share fundamental and foundational MPA values, such as hands-on, experiential learning using new and emerging, as well as traditional, technology. Students from across all grade levels and divisions have benefitted from their time in the Makerspace.

Let’s Actively Counter Negative Messages

May 17, 2018

by Dr. Bill Hudson, Head of School

A little over a year ago, I wrote to you about the concerns that educators and mental health professionals had with the Netflix series, “13 Reasons Why.” The series told the story of a high school student who died by suicide, leaving behind 13 reasons that the actions (or lack of actions) negatively affected her life and led to her suicide. My concerns included romanticizing suicide, minimizing the mental health that lies beneath suicidal ideation, and portrays adults as inept and uninterested in supporting children in distress. Around the same time, MPA instituted a comprehensive suicide awareness and prevention program called SOS. We also provided tips and resources to parents to engage in constructive and meaningful conversations with their children.

Get Involved With The Parents Association!

May 17, 2018

Become a bigger part of your child’s school! Engage with the MPA community and take an active role in the Parent Association by chairing a committee, or becoming a Grade Rep. Now is the time of year when those positions are being secured and we are seeking some amazing volunteers like YOU! To get involved or learn more, please email your interest to Kim Jakway.

Summer Volunteer Opportunities With MPA

May 17, 2018

Summer is almost here, and 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. MPA will be at the MSP Mini Maker Faire, Grand Old Day, and the Twin Cities Pride Festival. Plus, the Twin Cities Mom’s Blog Heroes event was just aded to our summer event calendar, and it’s being hosted right here at MPA! Volunteers can sign up here on a first come, first served, basis. Thanks so much for considering and we can’t wait to see you this summer!

MPArors Competing At State This Weekend!

May 17, 2018

Congratulations to the MPA robotics team on qualifying for the State Tournament! Catch the team in action at the Minnesota State Robotics Tournament on Saturday, May 19, at Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus! Out of about 215 First Robotics teams in the state, only the top 36 are invited to the tournament, so this is great honor and achievement for the MPA team! It is the second time in the seven-year history of the team that the MPArors will participate at State. Their matches begin at 8:30 AM! The full schedule, traffic information, and livestream information can be found below. We can’t wait to see you there supporting our awesome students!

Class Of 2018: William Thao, Hudson, WI

May 16, 2018

As the 2017–18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!

In what grade did you come to MPA? 4th Grade

How did you come to choose the college that you did? Colby College was actually not at the top of my list until I visited the school. At the beginning of the year, I had over twenty schools on my list, but I sat down with Ms. Pederson to talk about my choices. We drew a chart of the schools on my list and organized them by location, price, chances of being accepted, and strength of programs that interested me. I knew I wanted a very small school that emulated the learning environment of MPA but also had the opportunities and programs I was interested in. Right when I arrived on campus, I knew Colby was the school I wanted to attend. I loved the campus and the people, and I was confident that the environmental science program would be an enriching experience.