Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA)     

History of MIPA

Mercer Island has a rich legacy of providing for the youngest members of its community.  The first nursery school on the Island was established in the 1920s.  In 1937, Katharine MacGilvra hosted the first meeting of what would become the Mercer Island Preschool Association.

Times have changed since then, but the guiding principles of MIPA remain the same --  strong commitment to the education and well being of children from birth through Kindergarten on Mercer Island and in other communities.

In the 1940s, MIPA started Island nursery school programs, established the first cooperative preschool on Mercer Island and was instrumental in bringing Kindergarten to the Island elementary school.  MIPA continued to bring early childhood educational experiences to Island children in the decades to follow, sponsoring dance classes, "Spanish for the small fry", educational field trips and other opportunities as the needs and desires of the community changed.

Over the years, MIPA has been a key part of community life on the Island.  MIPA was a driving force behind bringing a King County library to the Island in 1945.   In the 1950's, MIPA sponsored a disadvantaged, rural school in Kentucky through the Save the Children Foundation.  MIPA members donated time and talent to create the Mercer Island Children's Park in 1962 (fondly known as the "dragon park"), with the addition of the beloved dragon in 1966.  In 2000, MIPA raised much of the funds to build, in partnership with the city, a new children's playground in Mercerdale Park. This new playground opened in 2002.

Additionally, MIPA donates approximately $8,000 to the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services organization every year to provide scholarships to families in need on Mercer Island.

MIPA Annual Events 

HALLOWEEN:  An inside block party with games, entertainment and a costume parade. (October 17)

TOY SWAP:  A giant consignment sale of gently used toys, children’s clothes and equipment. Clean out your closets and be a seller, and/or come for the sale and pick up great bargains. Portion of the proceeds goes to fund MIPA charities and operations. (November 7) More Info...

Download your Inventory Sheet and Price Tags here.

HOLIDOORS:  Bring the joy of the season to our senior community by helping your children create lovely artwork to decorate senior community residences’ apartment doors. Art parties and a get-together with the seniors are planned. (December)

PRESCHOOL FAIR:  An excellent opportunity to decide which of Mercer Island's preschools or day care programs might be best for your child, while enjoying a fun-filled children’s event. (January 23)

CIRCUS:  Pony rides, a reptile man, pie walks, and musical guests…this is a homespun circus on a grand scale that year after year draws young families for a day of fun and community gathering. (April 10)

FAMILY SOCIALS:  Organized meet-ups of families and kids at various parks, locales and homes (all year round).

PLAYGROUPS:  Every September, weekly playgroups are formed by age.  Meet-up times are determined by what works best for the group - usually a weekday morning.