[2] Accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, SPA is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the Cum Laude Society, and The College Board.

Recent commencement speakers have included Al Franken, Wilhelmina Wright, Coretta Scott King, and Garrison Keillor.

In the Upper School (grades 9–12), SPA has a college-preparatory liberal arts curriculum.

SPA has the oldest varsity hockey squad in the state of Minnesota.

The hockey team has won five Minnesota Independent School League (MISL) championships, in 1941, 1942, 1961, 1962, and 1974.