Mounds Park Academy

History

Mounds Park Academy was founded by Bob Kreischer and Sandy Kreischer Smith in 1982. That fall, there were 100 students enrolled. By 1986, MPA had quadrupled its enrollment and celebrated its first graduating class of nine students. Today MPA has around 700 students in Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade, and graduates as many as 75 students each year. MPA was originally going to be located in the Mounds Park neighborhood of St. Paul. By the time the school opened, the location had changed to Larpenteur Avenue; however, the school's name and mission stayed the same.

Technology

The Academy has had a 1:1 laptop program in the upper school since 2000.]]

The entire campus at Mounds Park Academy is wireless, with several types of computer workstations and four labs located throughout the school. Many Lower School classrooms and the Library have computers available for quiet study or research. The Library features an online catalog system and research-oriented databases.

Mounds Park Academy was one of the first schools in Minnesota to initiate a 1:1 laptop program. All teachers at MPA, as well as all students in the Upper School, are provided with a laptop computer, which is used for in-class learning as well as homework.

In the fall of 2011, MPA introduced a 1:1 iPad program in the Middle School. iPad applications are being integrated into the Middle School curriculum to enhance learning experiences.

Fine Arts

All students in lower and middle school participate in music, theater, and visual arts. In upper school, students take fine arts courses as electives. There are multiple bands and orchestras, singing ensembles, and art classes in which students can participate. A variety of theater classes are also offered to upper school students. Each year, there is a middle school play, an upper school winter show, and an upper school spring musical.

Athletics

The Academy offers: volleyball, soccer, football, swimming and diving, dance team, basketball, hockey, Nordic skiing, baseball, softball, track and field, cross country, tennis, and golf. MPA’s athletic teams compete in the Independent Metro Athletic Conference of the Minnesota State High School League.

Extracurricular Activities

MPA offers over 70 extracurricular opportunities including fine arts, academics, social awareness, and athletics. Almost all students in the Upper School participate in at least one activity.

Clubs and groups include: Amnesty International, Book Club, Debate, Environmental Club, Equestrian Club, French Club, GLBTQ Alliance, Habitat for Humanity, Inkslingers, International Thespian Society, Library Advisory Club, Mosaic, National Honor Society, Newspaper (The Voice), Peer Leaders, Quiz Bowl, Science Club, Snowboarding Club, Spanish Club, Speech, Spring Musical, Student Council, Tutors Guild, Winter Show, and Yearbook (Gnomon).

Graduation Requirements

The Service Program' at Mounds Park requires each student to complete a minimum of 60 hours over four years in order to graduate. Thirty hours are required for the Senior Service Project regardless of how many hours a student has completed during the first three years. All MPA seniors submit a service project proposal individually, complete a minimum of 30 hours of focused service, keep a record or journal of their experiences, and prepare an end-of- the- year "exhibit" or presentation based on their experience. The projects are displayed and presented at the annual Service Fair in the week prior to Commencement.

Senior Performances: Each member of the MPA senior class gives a 5-minute speech or performance to his or her peers and the MPA community.

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