Mounds Park Academy

There is no place as special as MPA. As a parent of two graduates and now a staff member myself, I can speak to a broader experience at Mounds Park Academy. The first thing you will notice is the community. It is warm, welcoming and diverse. Inclusivity isn't just spoken about here, it is a lived experience. The academics are top notch and over prepared my children for the real world. They left MPA ready for anything! You will find teachers who truly get to know your child and give 100% every day. The vast array of clubs, extra curricular and activities your child can join is endless. They will be encouraged to try several!! Run don't walk to take a tour of this incredible school. It is a unique school experience that focuses on helping your child celebrate their best self.

Mounds Park academy is an amazing place. My kids get such an enriching education here that goes so far beyond the classroom.

My children were 'lifers' at MPA. They started in PreK and are now in college. The academic preparation they had has enabled them to succeed in very rigorous colleges. However, it is the 'soft skills' they learned at MPA that have enabled them to shine in larger environments. They are confident speakers, persuasive writers, art and music lovers, athletes, and sharp, critical thinkers. These skills were developed through the required liberal arts curriculum and the numerous extracurricular activities they were able to do. They would go from a basketball game to their choir concert one night, and from a speech competition to homework study session on a Saturday. They learned time management and organization, creativity and problem solving. We are very grateful for the intentional design of the curriculum, the high standards, and the many opportunities MPA gave them.

My two sons were in the Minneapolis Public School (MPS) system for all of elementary school and most of middle school. Then the pandemic and MPS re-drew their attendance boundaries, which would have forced them to go to different schools, and the bottom dropped out. We looked at MPA because we know families whose children have attended, and we also are friends with two of the faculty. MPA has been a beautiful gift to my two sons for their high school years: Outstanding teachers. Emphasis on a safe & supportive school culture. Excellent arts: music, visual art, drama. Rigorous academics and high standards. Room for individuality and creativity. Our older son is in his first year of college now and is thriving. Thank you, MPA!

We're a new family to the MPA and the school has exceeded all of our expectations. Here are some reasons why; the head of the school greets each child every day, classroom sizes are small, academics that apply to the real world, bright classrooms, committed staff, a well-rounded curriculum, and newer facilities. I would give more stars if that was an option.

I'm a parent of three at MPA, but I'm also an Alum. I came back to MPA for my children because of the foundation MPA helped build for me, which I didn't completely realize until I had my own children. If your children are bored, not feeling challenged, lack the passion for learning, or seem focused on things that aren't helping them through life then you need to come to MPA. When I think of MPA, these are the words that come to mind: compassion, respect, responsibility, humility, courage, confidence, communication, analytical, diversity, security, and fun.

Myself and my siblings spent a combined 39 years at MPA and enjoyed every minute of it. What is unique to the school is that I was able to compete in three sports, multiple musical ensembles, a musical, and more throughout my time at MPA. Many other schools are structured where students must choose one extracurricular, but MPA focuses on offering opportunity and choice to all students, creating well-rounded graduates who are ready to succeed in college.

We choose MPA for our two sons` during the pandemic without any of us stepping into the school. Simply because of the academic excellence, abundant resources, great feedbacks from current parents and outpouring of positivity from Admissions. A process that truly felt like it was tailored to our children's interests and desires. Almost a year into it, both our 6th and 8thgraders are extremely happy and we as parents see their drastic change. We truly loved how the school encourages Independent thinkers, freedom to express themselves, and implementing real-world applications into the classroom.

We love MPA. We came to MPA this fall during the pandemic for many reasons. We had a chance to tour the school before the pandemic and were absolutely blown away. MPA is a very impressive campus. The large green space is ideal, the makerspace is an amazing learning resource, gorgeous library, rich variety of school lunches, I don't even know what to say about the richness of the arts program. But honestly, it was deeper than all of these things. We were impressed by the care and knowledge put into creating the school culture. We believe this is our chance as parents to provide the absolute best educational experience for our children. MPA provides an amazing opportunity for students to explore their interests and find what drives them. Instead of conforming to some outside standard. MPA is a safe and supportive environment where our child can be true to herself. She has grown to be less anxious and more confident these past few months. Even during a pandemic! We feel MPA is a partner that will work with us to support and push our child to become the best version of herself. Our daughter feels like she has found a home at MPA and looks forward to going to school daily. She truly enjoys the richness of her classes and experiences at school. We feel so lucky to have found MPA.

Mounds Park Academy is a fantastic school. We couldn't be happier having both of our kids attend (4th and 6th). This is our first year and despite everything going on in our world, everyone at Mounds Park (teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and most importantly students) have rallied to take the challenges and turn them into opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed. Our kids were both hesitant and tentative to start a new school (and to do so under such unique circumstances), yet, they have been welcomed with open arms, challenged academically, supported emotionally, and encouraged to engage and apply themselves in everything they do. Mounds Park Academy strives to create a diverse, aware, and accepting learning environment for everyone.

I loved my time at MPA, and I was so lucky to attend K-12. Two things really stand out. The first is academics. I didn't realize how strong they were until I got to college and was incredibly well prepared. The high school at MPA was more academically rigorous than college was for me. The second is athletics. The not cut policy allowed me to be a three sport athlete and develop incredible memories and lifelong friendships. As a basketball player, I probably wouldn't have been a varsity starter at my local public high school, but that didn't mean I wasn't a good player, and MPA had a home for me. If your someone who doesn't make the team at one of the huge suburban high schools, I recommend coming to MPA. The academics are amazing and you'll have a chance to develop those lifelong memories, rather than just watching from the stands. I will absolutely be sending my children to MPA.

We are just completing our third year of attendance and MPA has exceeded every expectation we ever had of a school for our three children, currently in lower and middle schools. The academics are both rigorous and flexible enough to help children of every level achieve their own personal best. Fitting with the general culture of the school, the athletics are welcoming to every single student willing to play - we have one very competitive athlete and two kids who just want the experience of trying new things, and they all love participating. For our family, the most outstanding component of MPA is the culture of excellent citizenship. Our kids are taught to be good people, to be polite and outspoken, to be unique and to feel safe, to be exactly the best possible version of themselves. It is such a tremendous relief to have that sort of rounded support as a parent. I wouldn't change a thing.

Mounds Park Academy feels like home for our children and family. The dedicated teachers, administrators, staff, and other families form a wonderful and welcoming community. But it`s the students that make MPA shine. The young people at MPA like to try new things and are encouraged to do so. In the span of a couple of weeks, we watched our daughters in the school play, a basketball game, and an orchestra concert. They didn`t need to be the stars of the show they were simply having fun. If the purpose of schools is to prepare young people for the life ahead of them, MPA excels. The students are explorers, creators, innovators, advocates, and thinkers. They`re also compassionate, thoughtful, and interested in perspectives different from their own. We love being a part of the MPA community, working together to help all of our children as they grow and develop into amazing young adults.

After seven years at MPA, we couldn't be more satisfied with our experience. Beyond the rigor, beyond the close community, beyond the opportunities, it's really about the type of person our son is being encouraged to be--independent, kind, responsible, wise, creative, and HUMBLE. This is not a community of excess or overly focused on prestige. This is a community that cultivates good people who are encouraged to be themselves and to enjoy the process of learning. Identified gifted, he is not only receiving an appropriate education for his age and intellect, but he's being prepared for a lifetime of fulfillment and happiness. We couldn't be more grateful to be part of the Mounds Park Academy community.

Our daughter started at MPA in the pre-K class and is now a 10th grader. MPA has been a fabulous school and excellent fit for her (and us!), due to outstanding teachers who appreciate each child individually and create a joyful learning environment. As a family, we have reveled in the "whole child" approach of the school, which is dedicated not only to academics, but in nurturing collaboration, creativity, and character development. At each grade, the teachers have embraced her, nurtured her zest for learning and offered incredibly creative ways to learn. And my daughter has developed very close relationships with teachers who inspire and support her strong extracurricular interests in speech and vocal performance. MPA has a collaborative, not competitive, atmosphere among students in each grade. I think that this may arise from MPAs goal not to stamp out students from one mold, but its approach to celebrating and encouraging each child's various skills, interests and needs.In addition to its thoughtful and creative curriculum, the school also offers a wealth of extracurricular activities - from arts, sports and drama to music, Quiz Bowl and speech/debate . . . . . and students are encouraged and supported to do more than one if interested. For example, my daughter has been able to balance the ski team , debate, drama and speech. The school is also a leader in technology learning, with its iLab and soon-to-be completed Maker Space, as well as robust laptop programs in the Middle School, robotics classes and teams, etc. - all of which are very exciting for the students. Finally, the school leadership is outstanding and the Head of School and division directors are warm, accessible and know the students well! We could not be happier at MPA, and we strongly encourage parents looking for a rigorous and joyful school setting to explore MPA.

Mounds Park Academy is not just excellent, it's exceptional. Specialized classes in science, math, music, art, language (Spanish, sign, and braille), and physical education -- and that's just for the kindergarteners. We''re not kidding. The sky is the limit for lower school, middle school, and beyond at MPA. We couldn't be happier to have our child at the school. Worth every penny.

MPA is a great school and community where your child matters. They matter to the teachers, the administrators, the coaches and also to other families. The caring intellectual interaction where he get "real" one-on-one time is priceless. It is our job as parents to raise our children -- in today's world MPA is who you want to partner with. Best school on the East Side of the Cities.

We chose MPA 6 years ago for our two children when we were moving to Minnesota. After the first week of school and hearing the comments of our children, I said, "That's what school should be." I''ve thought that ever since. With our oldest off to college, she has been well-prepared for the rigor of college work. In addition, she has the confidence and independence to make her mark in the world.

It is difficult to explain the vast differences between MPA and schools in the surrounding areas of the Twin Cities. The superior quality of education, attention to each student's needs and the class offerings are truly unimaginable at any other school in town. There is an electricity flowing through the building that makes all who enter excited to be a part of the MPA community. I will never second guess my decision to send my children to Mounds Park Academy. It is worth every dollar, every sacrifice to pay the tuition.

Our son joined the MPA community in 4th grade having come from a public school that we had determined was just not a good fit for him. From the beginning he was accepted and drawn into the community of students and as parents we were also amazed at how the parent community reached out to make sure we felt welcome and involved. Our son graduated from MPA two years ago. Over the course of his education at MPA he turned from a quiet, introverted child into an independent adult. He is able to talk to anyone, displays great self-confidence and has taken control of his future in ways we could not have imagined when we enrolled him so many years ago. When considering an environment for a child's education Mounds Park provides excellent academics. But even more important to us, everything about MPA strives to develop the whole child. Our son is living proof of this. If your shopping for an exceptional environment of caring educators you owe it to yourself to go and visit Mounds Park.

My two daughters joined Mounds Park Academy in August 2014 in Grades 1 and 5 having lived overseas for the previous four years. Although they have only been here just over a year, this has been a wonderful school to transition into. From the outset the other kids and faculty were incredibly welcoming. The small class size has allowed them to have personal attention and continue to stretch to their capabilities. They have had great access to music, theater and arts programs, and have loved to participate in a wide range of sports. I was initially a little concerned about having Elementary, Middle and High school students all together. I thought it might be overwhelming, especially for a 6 year old. Instead, the school does a fabulous job of partnering older and younger kids together so they teach, coach and learn, which really breaks down barriers and builds a community. One additional point - with two working parents, outside of school care has been really important for us, and our girls have enjoyed the Panther club and the extra curricular activities available onsite, such as Karate, Fencing, Piano lessons, Art classes, Robotics and many sports clubs. The summer camps have also been fun. We continue to be incredibly happy with our choice to send our girls to MPA. Simply put, the quality of academics, the culture and the values the school both instills and lives by, just work!

MPA has been a great place for our two boys to learn and grow. We''ve been consistently impressed by the quality of the teachers, and the commitment of the school to providing all students with a well-rounded education within a culture of respect for others. If you were trying to design a really excellent school starting from scratch, MPA is the kind of place you''d create.

We fell in love with Mounds Park Academy the first time we came to tour the school. The dedication and passion of the faculty and staff are truly inspirational. The small class sizes allow for children to be given the most opportunity for one on one learning. The environment is warm and nurturing, yet academically rigorous. It is truly an incredible place to be!

This is an excellent environment for students to grow and learn! The facilities are excellent! There are many opportunities to develop your personal interests and the staff is top notch!

Mounds Park Academy is serious about educating the "whole child." They have a very strong arts program (K-12) as well as consistently strong and creative academics. They value independent thinkers, welcome diverse families, and really focus on helping kids grow as multifaceted people.