IN THIS SECTION

Upper School Division News

October 8, 2026

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

One of the proudest and most validating parts of my role as Upper School director is hearing from the people our students meet and engage with when they leave campus. Whether we are on a field trip, at a competition, or away on a day-long or overnight experience, staff at the venues we visit often go out of their way to tell our chaperones how polite, respectful, and engaged our Upper School students are. Many share that our students set the tone for other schools and teams around them. In those moments, our students are not just representing themselves. They represent their families, their classmates, and the entire MPA community.

 OriginalImage,,,Original

Of course, our students are still growing and learning, and there are times when they fall short of the expectations we hold for them in the broader community. When that happens, it matters. A reputation is easy to build and, at times, difficult to rebuild, and a single moment can shape how others view not only one student but our school community as a whole. I share this not to single out any person or situation, but because I believe our students are capable of meeting a high standard every time they wear an MPA sweatshirt, board a bus for an MPA off-campus experience, or simply walk through their own or a peer's neighborhood.

This is where our partnership with you, MPA families, is so important. Research consistently shows that students do their best when their home and school work together in partnership. In their synthesis of 51 studies, Anne Henderson and Karen Mapp of the National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools found that there is strong and steadily growing evidence that families can improve their children's (academic) performance in school and have a major impact on attendance and behavior. Their review also determined that students, especially those in middle and high school, would benefit if schools supported parents in helping children at home and in guiding their educational careers. When our students hear similar messages about character and conduct from both their teachers and their families, that message carries significant weight. 

A charge and request that I offer to each Upper School family is to take a few minutes to talk with your child about what it means to represent MPA well, both on and off campus. Engage them in conversation about a time they felt proud of how they or their classmates carried themselves either on or off campus, and a time they wished things had gone differently. These conversations, hopefully, will help our students understand that the respect, kindness, and integrity we value at MPA are not rules for school alone, but part of who they are wherever they go. 

Thank you, as always, for your partnership in helping MPA students become and continue to be the kind of people others are glad to see "out and about.”

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Important Information

Attendance: If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to
Chanda Williams, Upper School administrative assistant, at 651-777-2555 or cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org. 

Upcoming Schedule: There are no regular Upper School classes next Monday, October 12 as our community celebrates Indigenous Peoples’ Day nor Wednesday, October 14 as the ninth grade spends the day off campus solidifying relationships and teamwork, 10th and 11th grade sit for pre and mock-ACT tests (they will have an early dismissal when their assessments are complete) and 12th grade is given the day to focus on college applications and visits. Tuesday, October 13, is a typical school day where classes will meet, assessments will be held, and assignments will be given.

Second Quarter Conferences: Upper School second-quarter conferences are right around the corner. They will take place on Thursday, December 3 (3:30-8 PM) and Friday, December 4 (8 AM-5 PM). Regular classes will be held on Thursday, December 3, but Upper School classes will not be held on Friday, December 4, allowing families to meet with their students’ teachers. More information will be shared toward the end of the month regarding signing up for conferences, but we wanted to ensure that you had this information on your calendar. As a reminder, Upper School students participate in their conferences and are required to attend.

Opportunities To Share MPA: Community member recommendations are the most important way new families come to MPA! When a new student completes the MPA application process based on a recommendation from a current family, the current family will receive a $500 credit toward the following year's tuition. If the new student is accepted and the family enrolls, an additional $500 credit will be applied. Please contact the Office of Admission at admission@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5577 if you have any questions. 

We have some fantastic events coming up that are the perfect way to share MPA with a friend, neighbor, or family member! If you know someone who is exploring schools or is interested in MPA, please share the information below. Thank you for sharing MPA!

Bring A Friend Parent Edition: October 23, 6-8 PM

Bring a friend and get ready to make something special! Choose a favorite piece of your child’s artwork, writing, or design, and we’ll help you transform it into a one-of-a-kind shadow box keepsake using MPA’s Glowforge laser cutter. You’ll get to try something new, spend time with other parents, and experience firsthand the creative, innovative learning that happens at MPA every day. Register here by October 16!

Taste Of Ninth Grade: November 15, 2026, 11 AM-12:15 PM

Students will experience collaborative, hands-on learning while parents connect with members of the MPA community to learn more about ninth-grade, Upper School life, and the opportunities ahead. Families will enjoy lunch together before continuing on to the PreK-12 MPA Preview. Families can RSVP here!

PreK-12 MPA Preview: November 15, 2026, 12:30-2 PM

Families discover what makes MPA such a special place to learn and grow at the PreK–12 MPA Preview. They have a chance to meet school leaders, faculty, and current parents, tour campus with MPA students, and experience signature learning opportunities while getting a firsthand look at the people, programs, and spirit of the MPA community. Families can RSVP here!

A Look Ahead 

RETURN TO NEWS

Contact Us

Important Notice Popup

Hello i am a popup

lower school students climbing the monkey bars
We can’t wait 
to welcome you
Inquire & RSVP Visit Apply