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.

UPPER SCHOOL

be challenged. become prepared.

ChallengingOur 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.

SupportiveWhen 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

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, self-

assessment, support, and encouragement, you will not only find the perfect school,

you’ll also develop essential skills that will serve you well in life.

100% of MPA grads are accepted to 4-year colleges and universities.

Joyful.Rigorous.Intentional.Fulfilling.Unforgettable.What do you want high school to look like?

of the members of the Class of 2014 are recognized by the National Merit Scholarship program.

MPA’s Class of 2013Average ACT score

Minnesota Average: 22.8National Average: 21.1

MPA’s Class of 2013Average SAT score

Minnesota Average: 1778National Average: 1498

Service DrivenThe 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

requirements for each year and culminates

in a focused, 30-hour Senior Service project,

most students find meaningful relationships

that go far beyond anything measurable.

At MPA, you not only get an opportunity to

be connected to our school community, but

also to the greater metro, state, and world

community that we share.

The class of 2013 completed over 3,600 hours of service during their Upper School years at MPA.

AthleticAt MPA, we believe that physical education and athletics complement the academic

experience. Our intentionally small class sizes make finding athletic success a

possibility for every student. Since we first joined the Minnesota State High School

League in 1993, MPA has:

•Produced 20 individual State Champions

•Competed at 20 State Tournaments

•Won 7 Team State Championships

•Captured first place in 20 Conference Championships

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.

CreativeMounds Park Academy requires more Fine Arts

credits for graduation than any other non-arts-

focused 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 CURRICULUMBelow 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.

Freshman SeminarAdvisory Program Senior SeminarJunior Seminar

Composition andAmerican Literature

ORAP English Language

and Composition

Functions/Probability/Trigonometry

ORHonors Precalculus

ChemistryHonors Chemistry

Honors Physics

Western Literature

Algebra 2 with TrigOR

Honors Algebra 3/Advanced Trig

BiologyHonors Biology

Honors Chemistry

Composition and Literary Analysis

World HistoryOR

AP World History

World HistoryOR

AP World HistoryModern United States History

GeometryOR

Honors Algebra 2/Trigonometry

Physical ScienceOR

Honors Biology

SpanishOR

French

SpanishOR

French

SpanishOR

French

SpanishOR

French

9th Grade Health9th Grade Physical Education

Visual Art (studio art, photography, painting, ceramics)

Drama (beginning, intermediate, advanced performance)

Music (choir, concert band, orchestra)

Robotics, Persuasive Communication, Yearbook I & II, Graphic Marketing

World Literature, Creative

Writing, Contemporary Women

Writers, Men’s Studies,

Multicultural Literature, Film

and Literature

Stats/Discrete MathAP StatisticsAP Calculus

Advanced Topics in Calculus

PhysicsHonors Physics

AP BiologyAnatomy/Physiology

Environmental Science

Constitutional Law, Public

Policy Issues and Action,

World Religions, The 21st

Century World, Topics in US

History

DISCIPLINE(requirement)

English(4 years)

SocialStudies(4 years)

Math(3 years)

Science(3 years)

Health &Physical

Education(2 years)

WorldLanguage

(3 years)

Fine Arts(3 years)

Seminar & Advisory Program(3 years)

Non-Departmental

Electives

9TH GRADE 10TH GRADE 11TH GRADE 12TH GRADE

Must take one additional year of Physical Education prior to graduation

Mounds Park Academy US Curriculum