Mounds Park Academy

Mounds Park Academy
McGhiever · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Mounds Park Academy
City	Saint Paul
State	Minnesota
Country	United States

Mounds Park Academy is a private, International Baccalaureate school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, near the Mississippi River and Phalen Boulevard. The school was founded in 1989 by a group of parents and educators who were inspired by the International Baccalaureate Organization and its emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking. Mounds Park Academy is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools. The school's curriculum is designed to prepare students for success at Harvard University, Stanford University, and other top universities.

● History

Mounds Park Academy was established in 1989 with a mission to provide a rigorous, liberal arts education to students in the Twin Cities area. The school's founders were influenced by the educational philosophies of John Dewey, Maria Montessori, and Rudolf Steiner, and they sought to create a learning environment that was student-centered and inquiry-based. Over the years, the school has grown and evolved, adding new programs and facilities, such as the Mounds Park Academy Lower School, which was established in 2001. The school has also developed partnerships with local organizations, including the Minnesota Zoo, the Science Museum of Minnesota, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

● Campus

The Mounds Park Academy campus is located on a 40-acre site in Saint Paul, Minnesota, near the Swede Hollow neighborhood and the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary. The campus features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Mounds Park Academy Upper School, which was designed by HGA Architects and Engineers and features a green roof and solar panels. The school's facilities also include a theater, a gymnasium, and a library, which is equipped with a wide range of digital resources and databases, including JSTOR and ProQuest. Students at Mounds Park Academy also have access to the University of Minnesota libraries and the Minnesota Historical Society.

● Academics

Mounds Park Academy offers a rigorous, college preparatory curriculum that is designed to prepare students for success at top universities, such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, and University of Chicago. The school's academic programs include a range of Advanced Placement courses, such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics, as well as International Baccalaureate courses, such as IB English, IB History, and IB Mathematics. Students at Mounds Park Academy also have the opportunity to participate in online courses and summer programs at Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and other top universities. The school's faculty includes experienced teachers and mentors, such as Dr. Mae Jemison, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, and Dr. Jane Goodall, who are dedicated to providing individualized support and guidance to each student.

● Student Life

Mounds Park Academy offers a range of extracurricular activities and clubs, including the Mounds Park Academy Debate Team, the Mounds Park Academy Robotics Team, and the Mounds Park Academy Environmental Club. Students at the school also have the opportunity to participate in community service projects, such as volunteering at the Second Harvest Heartland food bank and the Minnesota Children's Museum. The school's student government is led by a team of elected officers, who work to promote school spirit and student engagement. Mounds Park Academy also has a strong partnership with the YMCA of the North, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Girl Scouts of the USA.

● Athletics

Mounds Park Academy offers a range of athletic programs, including soccer, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. The school's athletic teams, known as the Mounds Park Academy Panthers, compete in the Minnesota State High School League and have won several conference championships and state titles. The school's athletic facilities include a gymnasium, a soccer field, and a tennis court, which are also used by local community organizations, such as the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department and the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association. Mounds Park Academy also has partnerships with the United States Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Federation of State High School Associations.