UPPER SCHOOL UPDATES

A Message from Dr. Flocco: Course Registration Process for 2026-2027

Please see this letter from Dr. Flocco, Head of Upper School, with important information about course recommendations, academic planning, and the 2026–2027 registration process.

Class of 2026 Matriculation List

We are pleased to present the college matriculation list for the Class of 2026. Our seniors will be heading off to 72 different colleges in 22 states (including two to Scotland). Approximately 50% (the highest number on record) of the class will matriculate at schools with an admit rate of 15% or lower. Colleges that will welcome the greatest number of new MKA undergraduates this fall are Cornell (6), Notre Dame (5), Princeton (4), and three each at Elon, George Washington University, Georgetown, and the University of Miami. The achievements of this class are the result of a combination of talented students who worked hard and the faculty and staff who guided them along the way.

Upper School Spring Play — Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9

Tickets for this year's spring play, Rhinoceros, are now on sale and going quickly! The cast will include students from grades nine through eleven in a production that is both intruding and timely; you don't want to miss it. Make sure to email Nicole Hoppe with your ticket orders ASAP. View the flyer for more information.

Dates and Times:

Thursday, May 7 - 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 8 - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 9 - 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.

Last Call to Sign Up for Parent-Teacher Conference Day

Please be sure to sign up for the parent-teacher conferences taking place on Thursday, May 14.

Note: Sign-ups via Veracross will close at noon on Tuesday, May 12.

To access the Parent-Teacher Conference module, log in to the Veracross Parent Portal using your Veracross credentials and click the orange button that says ‘Click here to sign up for Parent/Teacher Conferences.’ From here, you will see instructions for the sign-up process. Click the drop-down to select a time; it will be saved automatically. Please select a timeslot for each of your children. Selections will save automatically, and you can access your schedule via the blue printer button next to ‘My Schedule.’

Additionally, conference schedules will be available in your Household Calendar in Veracross and, if you have subscribed to it, in your personal calendar app. If these dates are not convenient for you, please reach out to your child's advisor(s). More detailed directions for signing up for conferences can be found here.

• Jr-K to Grade 3: Families will have an opportunity to schedule conference(s) with their child's Advisor.
• Grades 4-5: Students do not attend conferences
• Grades 6-8: Students will attend and will help lead the conference(s)
• Grades 9-11: Students will attend conference(s), and the conference(s) will primarily focus on course selection for the upcoming school year.

UPDATED: Junior Parent College Info Evening — May 21 & May 22

It has come to our attention that our May 21 evening program is in conflict with the Boys’ Lacrosse end-of-season banquet. In order to accommodate those parents who are involved with that event and are unable to attend our CCO program, we will run an additional session the following morning on Friday, May 22, 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. 

As a reminder, the program will focus on this year's admissions cycle and provide guidance about how to approach your child's search/application process as you put together a balanced college list. Our plan is to provide some data, but then reserve the majority of our time together for questions and conversation.

NOTE: If you have already registered for Thursday evening, May 21, and still plan to attend that session, you do NOT need to register again. If you need to change your previous registration for Thursday evening, you can edit your response through the confirmation email you received from “Forms Response Receipts.”

• RSVP here for Thursday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m.
• RSVP here for Friday, May 22, at 8:30 a.m.

For seating and planning purposes, please RSVP for one of these sessions by Friday, May 15.

P.S. This program is designed for parents only.

Commencement Reminders

Commencement will take place at the Upper School’s Van Brunt Field on Saturday, June 6, at 5:00 p.m. (rain date, Sunday, June 7, at 10:00 a.m.). Be sure to read this letter sent by Dr. Flocco in March for important information related to all end-of-year activities. Below are a couple of important reminders concerning Commencement:

• Today is the last day to RSVP for Commencement tickets (all guests require a ticket). Please use this link to reserve your tickets.
• The deadline to purchase an MKA tie from the school store has been extended to May 15. Please use this updated link to place your order. Remember that graduates wear green or blue ties.

Information Regarding Prom 2026

Prom will take place on Thursday, June 4. See below for the details:

Pre-Prom
(for seniors, their guest if they decide to bring one, and senior parents)
Van Vleck House and Gardens
21 Van Vleck Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Prom
Brooklake Country Club & Events
139 Brooklake Rd, Florham Park, NJ 07932
7:00 - 11:00 p.m.

Don’t Forget to Snap a Photo of Your Lawn Sign 

Help us celebrate the Class of 2026 by snapping a photo of your lawn sign and sharing it with MKA! Tag MKA in your photo on Instagram, Facebook, or email it to socialmedia@mka.org.

Fall 2026 Athletics Pre-Season Schedules

All Upper School athletes who are trying out for a fall sport must be present at the beginning of pre-season. Please see this announcement for more information.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Thursday, May 14 — PAMKA Special Events: P/T Teacher Conferences
• Wednesday, May 20, 8:15 - 10:15 a.m. — PAMKA Annual Meeting
• Wednesday, May 27, 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. — PAMKA Board Meeting

For a complete calendar listing of events, view the PAMKA Calendar in Veracross.

Sign Up to Volunteer for Conference Day — Thursday, May 14 

PAMKA Special Events needs your help! Thursday, May 14, is Conference Day for all three campuses. Please sign up to bring in some food, snacks, or drinks to keep our teachers nourished throughout the day.

• Primary School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Besa Owen
• Middle School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Michelle Willford
• Upper School Volunteer Sign Up: Contact Maggie Marotta

PAMKA Annual Meeting — Wednesday, May 20

Save the date for PAMKA’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 20, at the Middle School to celebrate PAMKA’s achievements, to learn about the new slate of volunteers, and to hear about this year’s PAMKA Faculty Trust Grants. Head of School Nigel Furlonge will also speak. Continental breakfast will start at 7:45 a.m. with the meeting to follow at 8:15 a.m. Hope to see you there!

Volunteers Needed for Fall 2026 Parent Grade Socials

We're looking for enthusiastic families to host next year's fall parent socials. Hosting is easy and can be done solo or with other parents in your grade. You can choose to open your home for a cozy get-together or reserve a space at a local bar or restaurant—whatever fits your style!

Why Host?

• It’s a fantastic way to meet other parents in your child’s grade.
• You get to create a fun, welcoming atmosphere for our MKA community.
• No need to go overboard—these socials are about connection, not perfection!

If you’re interested or have questions, simply reach out to Meredith Levine. Not ready to host solo? Grab a few fellow parents and co-host together!

These socials are the heart of what makes MKA special—parents connecting, sharing laughs, and strengthening our incredible community. We’d love for you to be a part of it!

Stay Connected with PAMKA on Facebook

Join the MKA Parent Watercooler and stay connected to the community!