Mounds Park Academy

2051 Larpenteur Avenue East

Saint Paul, MN 55109

44 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by student on October 01, 2024

This school is awesome and supports LGBTQIAP+ students and their family involvement is truly inspiring. If you have a neurodiverse or queer child this is the school for you!!
Submitted by parent on April 29, 2024

Such an incredibly learning environment. My kids love MPA and are so happy to go to school. I appreciate that the learning is really hands on and not just book work.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2024

Having lived in MN for 25 years, I know that MPA is virtually never brought up among our circle of parents as one of the top-tier schools in the state (when you need to advertise your school on billboards, that sort of says it all). Yet, they charge sky-high tuition, I guess, to give the school the image of prestige and excellence. As others have commented, MPA has become nothing more than an indoctrination institution where being woke and embracing the entire DEI and LGBTQ+ groupthink takes priority and if you happen to be conservative, suddenly the "inclusive" nature of this school disappears. As they say, a fish rots from the head down, and look no further than the head of school if you want to see why - Bill Hudson. Leaving this school increased our kids' educational achievement immensely and was the best decision we made while living in MN.
Submitted by other on March 29, 2024

The sense of community at MPA is palpable. Students, teachers, and parents alike contribute to a culture of mutual respect, inclusivity, and collaboration. This nurturing environment not only enriches the school experience but also instills values of empathy, responsibility, and global citizenship in students
Submitted by parent on March 29, 2024

After 13 years at MPA, I am so proud of who our son has become thanks to his experience there. He’s confident, bright, well-spoken, connected, and, most importantly, kind and humble. Knowing that he spent more waking hours at school than he did at home, I know this is because of MPA. Now at college, he’s studying and pursuing a career in STEM, competing at a high level in the sport he loves, and seeking ways to use his knowledge to make the world a better place. While he’s made a ton of friends at college, he still talks to his MPA friends weekly. What more could a parent ask for? The investment in MPA was not always easy. In fact, it was often hard. But it was 1000% worth it and I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you, MPA.
Submitted by parent on October 08, 2023

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. It's a really neat school that our family is grateful to be a part of.
Submitted by other on April 14, 2023

I consider myself so lucky to be a part of the MPA community. It is a place where students are challenged academically but that is balanced beautifully with finding joy in the discovery of new concepts and ideas. Students are also fiercely accepted for who they are. It is amazing how much children can thrive when they are known, feel seen, and are embraced by a community.
Submitted by other on March 28, 2023

MPA is engaging, exhilarating, and visionary. I love that every day here is a little bit different. At MPA, I get to be creative and have fun doing it. I have learned a tremendous amount through supportive mentoring and work experience. I truly appreciate all of the transparency of the mission and the reinforcement of the "why" throughout everything we do here.
Submitted by parent on February 23, 2023

MPA has become super woke and is now an extremely liberal school. Given this philosophy, much of what is taught is not appropriate. It is sad to see such a drastic decline o MPA. I am hopeful, but pessimistic that the school's board/trustees will recognize this extremism and make some positive changes to create a more welcoming, balanced environment.
Submitted by parent on February 08, 2023

What they say:Inclusive ALL welcomeTreat everyone equally regardless of race, religion, politics or valuesSuperior college prepThe truth:Drive away families and faculty who don’t toe the radical leftist party line of MPA.Exclusive, bigoted and hypocritical/not forthcoming & transparent & admin liesHarmful to our kids and us - many micro- and macro-aggressions. Has gone rapidly downhill in last few yearsNo strive for academic rigor/excellence - open disdain for parents/kids who seek enrichmentIncredibly overpriced especially if you pay full price so others attend cheaply or free Poorly managed, unaccountable, few good teachers left & admin horribleAtrocious administration/increasingly appalling direction is saddening and sickening. Ought to be ashamed, but will smugly continue to suggest “people like us” are “the problem.”Years of experience at educational institutions, including teacher & admin & never seen a worse, more dysfunctional/failing school. Run away!!!
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

MPA is shrewd with their marketing of "everyone belongs" and "rigor with purpose." Our experience could not be further from these mottos. MPA has a nearly singular focus on social activism; centered on critical race theory, white privilege and LGTBQ+ issues. If a student does not fall into a minority or marginalized group, he/she is looked down upon and taught to feel shame due to their privilege by being presented with developmentally inappropriate material. This especially holds true if the student is a Christian. While celebrating diversity and uniqueness is important, MPA segregates its student and parent community. MPA lacks curriculum differentiation in the Lower School, and students in the same grade level but different classrooms receive disparate educational experiences. The lack of leadership at the school is appalling, allowing teachers to do whatever they want without consistent oversight. MPA treats its families as disposable and simply a source of revenue.
Submitted by parent on January 26, 2023

Our family had two good years at MPA. Since then, the gradual decline and now complete slide into a social justice agenda, that has replaced academic rigor, sadly a thing of the past, is for us evident. Our middle schooler has been told that to be white is bad, whites have destroyed the country, that they should not to respect the law and so on. The teachers indoctrinate the students with political rhetoric. We are yet to see a piece of work that has taught our child to research information, to determine the credibility of what they are reading, in the humanities. In class, some teachers use outdated teaching methods, and in others, there is no adherence to curriculum. Also, our child has been on the receiving end of micro-aggression all the year long. Our child loathes going to school now.In lower school, there is no enrichment, with resources to encourage students to grade level but not beyond. The touted Makerspace is only fleetingly used, by either child. Our child is bored, and cannot wait to come home.This only touches on all that is sadly wrong with this school, for our family. The environment appears toxic. I worry everyday about what my children are being taught, in part due to inadequate access to the actual curriculum given.Questions that I have found that are useful to ask in searching for a safe school, are:1a) What differentiated learning is available?1b) Are there learning and enrichment specialists for each grade, and what does this look like on a daily basis? (peer group learning in the classroom rather than being given more computer/screen time to work alone)2) What support is available for the teachers to further their personal/individual knowledge/interests?3) What is the curriculum (not just the outline, but the objectives, content, outcome assessment) for each subject, and show how this links to the following grades?4) Are all those teaching, licensed?5) In lower school, how much time is spent on core reading/writing/math, versus specialist subjects?6) Ask to see the reading lists of possible options for your child/student.
Submitted by parent on October 11, 2022

This is by far the worst school in this state whether private or public. The teachers do not care about the students at all - I observed teachers on their cellphones during class, ignoring children's requests for water, and yelling at a child for falling and crying because he was hurt. This was in the pre-K room, which is their feeder program so it's them putting their best foot forward.MPA has a one size fits all and the teachers are not willing to be creative or thoughtful in working with children at all. They think all students and parents should be grateful to be at MPA regardless of the quality of education or treatment they get. This school is also in a very high crime area - there was a shooting right across the street. Look elsewhere.
Submitted by other on June 19, 2022

This school was a perfect place to grow up. I never felt like anything was lacking, that there were any opportunities unavailable. I'm grateful for the time I had there, I only wish there was more.
Submitted by parent on November 14, 2021

I offer a mixed a review. I am, and will always be, grateful for our middle school experience. There were teachers who went above and beyond to impact my student’s educational and personal development. Engaging classes and assignments, incredible iTerm experiences, and a trip to DC, were truly wonderful educational and personal growth opportunities. That was the school I was so proud to have my student at. The high school was not a good experience for my family. I was attracted to MPA for its liberal leanings and inclusiveness but instead found an environment that I felt protected their image by shutting down any opinions/ideas did not adhere to current woke views. I was told of boys being made to feel guilty for being white males; kids having to declare their pronouns before they hit puberty; minority kids getting kicked out for an immature 5-second interaction. Instead of having open and challenging discussions that these issues could have inspired, I felt the school swiftly shut down any student who questioned their doctrine. As much as I lean left, it is crucial to me that my student can intelligently and respectfully converse with people of all persuasions, cultures, races, political parties, etc. and form independent opinions. I also want an environment that will value my student’s life experiences as part of the cultural fabric of the community. I did not find this at MPA.(Please note that my rankings are pretty neutral because of the diverse experiences I had – liking the middle school but disliking the high school.)
Submitted by other on February 10, 2021

My time at MPA prepared me to be a lifelong learner. I absolutely loved my experience, the friends I made, and the community that I have. I am also incredibly grateful to my parents for making the decision to send me to MPA, and for making the investment in me. I am a better person and a better student because they were so selfless in prioritizing MPA tuition over new cars, vacations or cabins. If you are a parent considering MPA, but hesitant because of the tuition, know that your child, like me, will grow up to be exceptionally grateful that you made the decision to invest in their future with a private school like this one. I can't say enough good things about MPA. It will always be my home.
Submitted by parent on June 16, 2020

I cannot express enough what an incredible impact MPA has had on my children and our family. Every day at MPA is filled with joy, acceptance, the right balance of challenging and a focus on developing well-rounded people who will make an impact on the world. The school's motto of "dream big and do right" captures how students are nurtured and developed. You will not regret joining this amazing community!
Submitted by other on June 13, 2020

I read all the reviews below and "straight shooter" seems to be really upset with his/her experience at MPA. This has not at all been my experience. I believe the dangerous neighborhood comment speaks loudly, as it sounds like it wasn't a good fit for this parent/student and they would be happier in a exclusive (rather than inclusive) and very white school and neighborhood. If that is what one is looking for - he or she is absolutely correct! MPA is not the right school community. MPA is inclusive, nurturing, and humble. Children are listened to and loved. The neighborhood is not surrounded by five million dollar homes, yet it is also not a neighborhood that is dangerous. It looks like the neighborhood that the majority of Minnesotans live in. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I hope straight shooter has found the right school.
Submitted by parent on June 09, 2020

I want to be a straight-shooter here: the only (and I mean the ONLY reason) why parents send their kids here is because it is close to 3M headquarters and/or all the top public and private schools (e.g., Blake, Breck, Wayzata, Edina) are on the opposite side of town. What do you get for your $25K+ tuition? A dangerous neighborhood (IMPORTANT: businesses near MPA were boarded up with plywood during the Minneapolis riots of 2020, including a CVS less than 2 miles away!), a principal who was forced out from a previous job, a campus that is dated and tired, and worst of all: college placement. Please look at the colleges that MPA graduates attend and compare them to area public high schools. They are very much the same. Save your money - yes, it's the most "prestigious" school on the East Side, but that really isn't saying very much.
Submitted by other on May 16, 2019

10/10. Five stars. However you want to put it, my experience here has been unlike any other.