![\"Class](\"https:\/\/nclhx5yj.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Lifer-Story-Wordpress-Image.jpg\")
How has MPA\u2019s community supported and shaped you?<\/span><\/strong>\n\u201cIn Lower School, as we walked to class, we\u2019d high-five older kids. At home we\u2019d tell our parents, \u2018I high-fived this huge high schooler today!\u2019 I want to support that community, too.\u201d Parker Law
\n\u201cOur relationships with teachers forge respect between adults and kids. We talk to our teachers about social-life issues, real-world issues, our opinions, and more. That\u2019s shaped my relationships with adults outside school.\u201d Tara Samsel
\n\u201cTeachers encourage these relationships. I\u2019m comfortable talking to people much older than I am.\u201d Emilie Davidson
\n\u201cWe\u2019ve grown up surrounded by older kids and loving adults. So that age difference doesn\u2019t seem as big.\u201d Gabby Law<\/p>\n
Why did you stay at MPA through 12th grade?<\/strong><\/span> What makes this community so strong?<\/strong><\/span>![\"Quote](\"https:\/\/nclhx5yj.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Life-Story-Wordpress-Images-3.jpg\")
How has the MPA community prepared you for academic and professional success, in addition to a meaningful life?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u201cMPA fosters curiosity. When I venture off to college and a career, I\u2019ll still ask questions. I\u2019ll look through different lenses and see different perspectives. I\u2019ve learned how to listen to people.\u201d YuLing DeBellis
\n\u201cOur peers are curious about learning and that doesn\u2019t stop once class is done. We understand the complexity embedded in societal problems. We\u2019re more equipped to not take a
\none-sided approach.\u201d Aneesh Syal
\n\u201cA great example of that is Ms. Murr\u2019s U.S. history class, where you might have to argue for an opinion you don\u2019t possess. You understand another perspective.\u201d Tara Samsel
\n\u201cYou learn how to argue with someone, including your friends. You learn to listen to them and understand what they\u2019re saying without getting angry. You keep that friendship.\u201d Toby Sullivan<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI stayed because my mom wanted me to have opportunities she couldn\u2019t. She was a beautician who earned her college degree when I was in Lower School, and she wanted me to go straight to college. MPA has been an extraordinary experience. It\u2019s weird to think I\u2019ve spent only four years of my life not here.\u201d Annie Berwald
\n\u201cI started in kindergarten and my brother started in second grade. He had learning differences and my parents couldn’t find support at other schools. They did at MPA. Now, when I tell my mom about my MPA experiences, she says, \u2018This is why I sent you there.\u2019\u201d Tara Samsel
\n\u201cIn kindergarten, I lost my newly fallen tooth and I was really sad that the tooth fairy wouldn\u2019t come. A senior found a mint, cut off a little bit to create a tooth, and gave it to me. I told my parents and they said, \u2018Yeah, you\u2019re staying at that school.\u2019\u201d Claire Hanson
\n\u201cI stayed because there\u2019s a community of helping and collaboration across all age groups.\u201d Toby Sullivan<\/p>\n![\"Quote](\"https:\/\/nclhx5yj.tinifycdn.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Dark-Blue-quote.jpg\")
How do your teachers build community in your classrooms?<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u201cTeachers are involved in your learning all the time. In art class, Ms. Sonka walks around the room and looks at everyone\u2019s piece and asks if anyone needs help.\u201d Emilie Davidson
\n\u201cMPA employs all different types of learning, including visual and auditory, so all students feel included. We use the whole school as our classroom. We\u2019re not confined to our desks.\u201d Aneesh Syal
\n\u201cRecently, we gave presentations about sex trafficking to the Middle School. Our teachers trusted us to speak about something that serious to community members who are younger and more vulnerable.\u201d Tara Samsel
\n\u201cTeachers want everyone to speak their voice and share their opinions. People feel comfortable doing that.\u201d Annie Berwald<\/p>\n
\n\u201cSupport. There\u2019s always someone you can talk to when you need it.\u201d Annie Berwald
\n\u201cThe foundation of our community is the kids in this room. We have some of the closest bonds here. But if someone new comes in, they immediately belong.\u201d Parker Law
\n\u201cCollaboration over competition. There\u2019s no unnecessary competition at MPA\u2014not in sports, academics, or social life. We\u2019re all for leaders who lift others up.\u201d Tara Samsel
\n\u201cThere\u2019s a passion for learning here that brings people together.\u201d Emilie Davidson
\n\u201cThere\u2019s no limit to what you can do in classes. Everyone is trying their best.\u201d Annie Berwald<\/p>\n