{"id":30108,"date":"2026-04-23T12:45:50","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moundsparkacademy.org\/news\/?p=30108"},"modified":"2026-04-23T14:59:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T19:59:42","slug":"upper-school-division-news-april-23-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.moundsparkacademy.org\/news\/2026\/04\/23\/upper-school-division-news-april-23-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Upper School Division News April 23, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Afrom Mark Segal, Upper School director<\/strong><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, MPA is also in the process of planning an Upper School spring break trip next March for our own students to visit Vanke Meisha Academy, along with cultural and historical sites in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. This reciprocal experience will build on our growing partnership and provide MPA students with an immersive opportunity to engage with peers abroad while deepening their understanding of global cultures and systems. We look forward to sharing additional details as planning continues and celebrating the many ways global learning strengthens our school community. Should you be interested in learning more, please reach out to Upper School director Mark Segal to learn preliminary details.<\/p>\n

Please join me in welcoming our visitors, and thank you in advance to those who are opening your homes and your hearts to make this exchange program a success.<\/p>\n

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.<\/p>\n

Important Information<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please contact the Upper School assistant, Chanda Williams, at cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n
  2. Prepare for the upcoming Spring Musical\u2014”Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Sweeney Todd, an unjustly exiled barber, returns to London seeking vengeance against the judge who framed him and ravaged his wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, a proprietress of a failing pie shop, above which he opens a new barber shop. The partnership between these two and the integration of a \u201cspecial ingredient\u201d in her meat pies has the people of London lining up. Tickets are on sale soon for the remaining performances:\n