Exploring Tuition and Affordability at Mounds Park Academy

Mounds Park Academy (MPA) is a PreK-12 private college preparatory school located in Saint Paul. Known for its rigorous academics and commitment to developing students who are ready to "stir the human spirit, stand for justice, and shake the world," MPA offers a comprehensive educational experience. This article delves into the tuition structure at Mounds Park Academy, exploring the factors that influence it and the resources available to families seeking to make this exceptional education accessible.

Mounds Park Academy: An Overview

Mounds Park Academy, founded in 1982, is an independent, co-educational day school serving students from throughout the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. The school is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools and The College Board.

MPA offers a wide range of programs and activities, including:

Academics: A challenging college-preparatory curriculum with AP and advanced courses.
Arts: Extensive opportunities in music, theater, and visual arts.
Athletics: A variety of interscholastic sports, encouraging participation and skill development.
Extracurriculars: Over 70 extracurricular activities, fostering diverse interests and talents.

The school's motto, "Dream Big. Do Right," reflects its commitment to fostering well-rounded graduates who are prepared to succeed in college, careers, and life.

Understanding Tuition at Mounds Park Academy

Tuition at Mounds Park Academy is not a fixed number but rather a range. This range reflects the school's commitment to making its education accessible to a diverse range of families through its Indexed Tuition program.

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Indexed Tuition: A Personalized Approach

Indexed Tuition is a program that evaluates each family’s unique financial position and determines a tuition level that aligns with their ability to pay. If a family chooses to apply and qualifies for Indexed Tuition, MPA's tuition will be adjusted to meet the family’s unique financial position. It spans from 20% to 80% of the true cost of an MPA education. This approach recognizes that families have varying financial circumstances and aims to make an MPA education attainable for those who may not be able to afford the full tuition amount.

Factors Considered in Indexed Tuition

Many factors are considered when determining the tuition amount a family is able to invest, including income, assets, expenses, and the size of the family. An application for Indexed Tuition does not affect the re-enrollment or admission process.

Who Should Apply for Indexed Tuition?

Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth-grade student may apply for Indexed Tuition if they are concerned about affording Mounds Park Academy. Families with children in grades K-12 who feel that the top of the MPA tuition range is beyond their reach should submit an application.

Indexed Tuition Application Process

Applications are submitted directly to Clarity-MPA's online financial review partner. It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of an Indexed Tuition application. New families complete both the application for admission and the Indexed Tuition processes simultaneously. Indexed Tuition decisions are communicated to new families when a student is offered admission and tuition is determined for the year in which the student will begin.

The Indexed Tuition application for the 2026-27 school year opens on September 15, 2025. If you apply before February 15, 2026, and your child has been accepted to Mounds Park Academy, your family’s Indexed Tuition decision will be shared on March 26, 2026. At this time, you will receive your Indexed Tuition and enrollment contract and you may login to complete your enrollment. The enrollment deadline will be April 10, 2026.

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Key Points About Indexed Tuition

A new application must be submitted every year. Families can expect a similar percentage discount year over year, assuming their overall financial situation does not change significantly.
Multiple students are one of the key factors in determining Indexed Tuition.
The school does not have the ability to offer Indexed Tuition to every student who qualifies for both admission and Indexed Tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but placed in a wait pool for Indexed Tuition.
Indexed Tuition is not available in PreK, for mid-year starts, or for every deserving student.

Minimum Tuition Contribution

Mounds Park Academy requires all families, regardless of demonstrated need, to contribute a minimum amount toward tuition.

Children of Alumni Discount

Mounds Park Academy is proud to offer the Children of Alumni Discount, which lowers the minimum tuition contribution for children of alumni in grades K-5 who qualify for Indexed Tuition. We are committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for children of alumni applying to grades K-5 (compared to minimums of 50% for non-alumni children in those grades). Please note that the Children of Alumni Discount is not guaranteed nor automatic. Only alumni families who apply for Indexed Tuition via Clarity are eligible to be considered for the Children of Alumni Discount. Children of alumni who continue at MPA after grade 5, or who enroll at MPA for grades 6-12, and who apply for Indexed Tuition, will receive Indexed Tuition based on the current policies at that time. The Children of Alumni Discount is not available in PreK or grades 6-12. To apply for the Children of Alumni Discount, families should first apply for admission and Indexed Tuition. Upon receiving an offer of admission, families who qualify will be able to view and accept their Indexed Tuition offer, including the Children of Alumni Discount, and enroll at MPA.

Affording an Independent School Education

Many parents ask themselves how they can afford an independent school education. Often it is a matter of prioritizing one expense over another and cutting back on some incidentals in order to provide this exceptional experience for their children.

Additional Tuition Information

Grades 5-12 include a 13-inch Apple MacBook Air student laptop, participation in athletics and most extra-curricular activities, and more. Tuition does not include lunch, transportation, or before/after school care. Monthly payments deducted from a checking/savings account beginning in July and ending in February. The payment is due on the fifth of each month. A $1,500 deposit is due at the time of re-enrollment/enrollment for domestic students and a $5,000 deposit is due for international students. The deposit is applied toward tuition due and is non-refundable. International families are required to pay tuition in one payment in July.

International Student Tuition

Mounds Park Academy offers a supportive environment for international students, providing academic, social, and emotional support throughout their time at MPA. The school's program is designed to prepare international students for college or university experiences in the United States or their home countries.

International Student Program Fees

Tuition for International Students: $50,320 + Optional Homestay ($10,200)

Fees are subject to adjustment based on the student’s English language proficiency, visa status, homestay arrangements, and other factors. $12,150 is the maximum program fee.

Services Included in International Student Program

The following services are included for all international students paying the full program fee:

Advanced language and culture (AL&C) course with a 6:1 student to teacher ratio.
Social and emotional support from the program director.
Academic transition and language support.
Host family recruitment, selection, acclimation, and support.
Professional development for faculty in how to best serve the needs of international students.

Other Considerations

Application Deadlines and Enrollment

The application deadline for Mounds Park Academy is Feb. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Feb. 5 2/7/2026

The February 15 deadline allows for the maximum consideration for each applicant for either admission and/or financial assistance funding. New applications for admission and Indexed Tuition will be considered as they are received after these respective deadlines and will be based on a space- and/or funds-available basis.

What is the difference between my Ravenna application and my Clarity application?

The admission process is made up of a series of steps that will help us get to know students who are considering Mounds Park Academy. Depending upon the age of the student, those steps may include a visit, family interview, and more.

Financial Aid and Affordability

MPA is committed to admitting talented and motivated students, regardless of family resources. Inclusion is an essential element to our mission and culture.

Class Size

Mounds Park Academy has established maximum class sizes that are not be surpassed. Our average class size is 15 and our student:teacher ratio is 7:1.

Additional Programs

MPA offers an extensive before and after school care program called Panther Club for students in PreK through grade four and Panther Den for students in grades five through eight.

Transportation

MPA offers bussing from 5 Twin Cities communities: Saint Paul, Roseville/Shoreview/North Oaks, Woodbury, Stillwater, and Minneapolis.

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