be challenged. become prepared.
UPPER SCHOOL Mounds Park Academy’s Upper School challenges students to learn and grow to their fullest potential and prepares
them for success in life beyond high school. What sets Upper School at MPA apart are the opportunities students have to discover their passions and pursue their interests as they engage in a flexible and challenging academic program. Whether studying biological processes, constitutional law, or multiple languages, connecting things to the bigger picture gives students a broader perspective—which is an essential prerequisite for college and life. Through honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, electives, and community service requirements, motivated MPA students take their abilities and ideas even further. Whether a student has been at Mounds Park Academy since Kindergarten or joins the MPA community in Upper School, the ninth-through twelfth-grade experience provides opportunities to use acquired knowledge to form and express opinions. MPA graduates respect human dignity and are concerned about the welfare of others, are able to combine individual interests with responsibilities to others, demonstrate integrity and ethical decision making, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Joyful. Rigorous. Intentional. Fulfilling. Unforgettable. What do you want high school to look like?
Challenging Our Upper School curriculum is challenging and compelling. It’s infused with thougtful integration so the connections between different subject areas are rich. Whether studying biological processes, constitutional law, or multiple languages, connecting things to the bigger picture gives you a broader perspective, which is an essential prerequisite for college and life. The proof is truly in the numbers. Our students find academic success at every turn.
MPA’s Class of 2013 Average ACT score Minnesota Average: 22.8 National Average: 21.1
Supportive When it comes time to choose a college or university, it will most likely be the first major decision of your life. With well over 3,000 colleges and universities, it’s easy
MPA’s Class of 2013 Average SAT score Minnesota Average: 1778 National Average: 1498
to feel overwhelmed when you’re searching on your own. But at MPA, we have dedicated college counseling staff to facilitate the search from day one. We take the college planning process seriously and believe that through careful research, selfassessment, support, and encouragement, you will not only find the perfect school, you’ll also develop essential skills that will serve you well in life.
of the members of the Class of 2014 are recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program.
100% of MPA grads are accepted to 4-year colleges and universities.
Service Driven The personal growth opportunity that comes from making a positive difference in the world is one we value. MPA students find meaningful, diverse, and transformative serivice opportunities through our service program, which recognizes the significant contributions of time, skill, energy, talent, and passion that students make. While the Program has specific service hour
Athletic
requirements for each year and culminates
At MPA, we believe that physical education and athletics complement the academic
in a focused, 30-hour Senior Service project,
experience. Our intentionally small class sizes make finding athletic success a
most students find meaningful relationships
possibility for every student. Since we first joined the Minnesota State High School
that go far beyond anything measurable.
League in 1993, MPA has:
At MPA, you not only get an opportunity to
•Produced 20 individual State Champions
be connected to our school community, but
•Competed at 20 State Tournaments
also to the greater metro, state, and world
•Won 7 Team State Championships
community that we share.
•Captured first place in 20 Conference Championships
The class of 2013 completed over 3,600 hours of service during their Upper School years at MPA.
There are 13 athletics offerings for Upper School students, including Volleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Football, Basketball, Nordic Skiing, Hockey, Track and Field, Softball, Baseball, and Golf.
85% of students in grades 9 though 12 participate in at least one sport.
Creative Mounds Park Academy requires more Fine Arts credits for graduation than any other non-artsfocused school in the Twin Cities. By requiring Upper School students to earn 3 credits in Fine Arts courses, MPA ensures a well-rounded liberal arts education. Research strongly correlates that sustained engagement in the Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, and Vocal and Instrumental Music supports innovation, entrepreneurship, invention, and creativity for a lifetime.
There are over 45 different Upper School Fine Arts courses.
OUR CURRICULUM Below you will see a sample of our current Upper School curriculum. In Upper School, students become adept at balancing the high demands of a challenging course load and learn how to better manage their time and prioritize responsibilities. Our community maintains high expectations for all students, and we’re always there to offer guidance, support, encouragement, and praise. We take pride in preparing balanced, confident, intellectually curious students to succeed and embrace the challenges that face them in college and beyond.
Mounds Park Academy US Curriculum DISCIPLINE (requirement)
9TH GRADE
10TH GRADE
11TH GRADE
12TH GRADE Writing, Contemporary Women
Western Literature
Composition and American Literature OR AP English Language and Composition
World Literature, Creative
English (4 years)
Composition and Literary Analysis
Writers, Men’s Studies, Multicultural Literature, Film and Literature
Constitutional Law, Public
Social Studies (4 years)
World History OR AP World History
World History OR AP World History
Policy Issues and Action, Modern United States History
World Religions, The 21st Century World, Topics in US History
Math
Geometry OR Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry
Algebra 2 with Trig OR Honors Algebra 3/Advanced Trig
Functions/Probability/ Trigonometry OR Honors Precalculus
Stats/Discrete Math AP Statistics AP Calculus Advanced Topics in Calculus
Science
Physical Science OR Honors Biology
Biology Honors Biology Honors Chemistry
Chemistry Honors Chemistry Honors Physics
Physics Honors Physics AP Biology Anatomy/Physiology Environmental Science
(3 years)
Spanish OR French
Spanish OR French
Spanish OR French
Spanish OR French
Health & Physical Education
9th Grade Health 9th Grade Physical Education
(3 years)
(3 years)
World Language
(2 years)
Visual Art (studio art, photography, painting, ceramics)
Fine Arts
Drama (beginning, intermediate, advanced performance)
(3 years)
Seminar & Advisory Program
Must take one additional year of Physical Education prior to graduation
Music (choir, concert band, orchestra)
Freshman Seminar Advisory Program
Junior Seminar
(3 years)
NonDepartmental Electives
Robotics, Persuasive Communication, Yearbook I & II, Graphic Marketing
Senior Seminar