Frequently Asked Questions

Are college and/or advanced courses available?

At Maranatha, we offer several Advanced Placement (AP) courses. We also partner with local colleges to provide classes on-site, which allows our students to take university courses and earn college credit while remaining at Maranatha's campus.

In addition, we work with universities such as Harvard, Berkeley, MIT to offer online courses.

Are financial aid awards automatically renewed each year?

Financial aid is awarded annually for one school year and families need to reapply each year.

Renewal is not automatic or guaranteed, as available funds and a family's financial situation can change from year to year.

Are there academic or character standards for admission?

Maranatha is a community built on shared faith and mutual commitment—and we take that seriously from the very beginning. New students are expected to meet three standards:

Spiritual Commitment: At least one parent is a committed follower of Jesus Christ, actively involved in a Christ-centered church, and in alignment with our faith statement
Academic Readiness: A student's history demonstrates consistent progress and the ability to thrive in our learning environment.
Character and Community: Students are in good standing at their current school and demonstrate behavior—in and out of school—consistent with our Values and Culture in Action

We don't view these as barriers. We view them as the foundation of something worth belonging to.

Are there scholarships available?

Maranatha Christian Academy offers need-based financial aid for domestic students entering Grades K–12.

Merit or athletic scholarships are not available.

Are there sibling discounts or other ways to reduce tuition?

Maranatha Christian Academy offers the following discounts for families. These discounts are not available to be combined with financial aid:

Multi-child discount (applicable on 2nd student) — $200
Living Word Member Discount (per student) — $500
Pre-pay full tuition discount by June 25th — 2%

Can international students participate in athletic programs?

International students are allowed to participate in junior varsity level or below athletic (according to the Minnesota State High School League policies).

Students are also able to participate in clubs and activities such as Robotics, Strategy Games, Adventures Club, Gaming Club, and many more options.

Can our child visit and experience a school day before applying?

Absolutely—and we highly encourage it!

Shadow days give prospective students in Grades 1–11 the chance to spend a full day alongside a current student in the same grade, experience our community firsthand, and enjoy a complimentary lunch with new friends. We think the best way to know whether Maranatha is right for your family is to simply show up.

Does Maranatha Christian Academy accept state voucher programs?

Maranatha Christian Academy does not accept state voucher programs.

We do offer need-based financial aid for domestic on-campus students entering Grades K–12.

Does Maranatha offer financial aid or scholarships?

We believe a Maranatha education should be accessible to families who are the right fit—not just those who can easily afford it.

Financial aid is available on a need-based basis through our partnership with FACTS. We encourage families to apply early, as assistance is awarded on a rolling basis.

We do not offer merit-based or athletic scholarships. Our admissions team is happy to walk you through all the options available to your family.

Does Maranatha provide transportation?

Families residing in School District 279 may opt into morning bus service.

Students are routed through the nearest high school and arrive at Maranatha around 7:30 am.

After-school busing is not available, though many families coordinate carpooling through our family directory.

Do new students need to take a placement test?

Testing requirements vary by grade.

Kindergarten applicants complete a Readiness Assessment during their admissions interview with our Principal and Dean.

Students entering gGrades 1–10 who haven't taken the NWEA MAP Assessment in the past year will be invited to campus for a shortened version—giving us a helpful snapshot of their strengths in language, reading, and math so we can set them up well from day one.

How are financial aid awards decided?

Maranatha Christian Academy partners with FACTS to process financial aid applications. Following a completed application and tax documentation, FACTS provides our school with a need-based financial analysis, allowing us to allocate our resources wisely and fairly.

All information from FACTS regarding a family's request for financial assistance is kept confidential.

Financial aid ranges from $0 to a maximum of 50% of annual tuition based on the financial need of each student's family. We encourage families to apply as soon as possible after submitting an application for admission.

How do I apply for financial aid?

In order to receive financial aid, a family must first complete and submit the online Grant & Aid Application through FACTS ($45 fee to apply). The application includes uploading several supporting documents including:

W-2 forms
Federal income tax returns

Notes:

Financial Aid applications use prior prior year tax forms. To apply for financial aid for the 2026–27 school year, use 2024 and 2025 W2 and 2024 Income tax returns only.
Families must apply for aid each year. No financial aid awards exceed one school year.
Financial aid is currently available for on-campus traditional school students in Kindergarten–Grade 12. Financial aid is not available for PreK, International, or Online students.

Is academic counseling provided?

Maranatha's Academic Counseling program engages students early, so they can plan for a successful transition from high school to select universities across the country.

During orientation, the Director of International Student Academics meets with students to map out a course for success based on each students' goals and needs. This plan is reviewed each semester to ensure the student is on track.

The Dean of Academics and Career Counseling works with each student to prepare them for top-level universities and help them stay on task as they work toward their goals.

Is there an admissions deadline, and what if we miss it?

Maranatha offers three enrollment windows each year:

Priority Enrollment (Oct 1–Dec 31): Apply early for first-round acceptance
Open Enrollment (Jan 1–Jun 30): Applications accepted while space is available
Late Application (Jul 1–Aug 1): Reviewed individually based on space and timing

Miss a deadline? Your application can be reviewed individually or rolled forward to the next enrollment year without additional fees.

We never want a calendar to stand between a family and the right school.

Is there an ESL or ELL program?

International students are enrolled in ELL class to help with the cultural transition to an American high school and develop academic English and vocabulary proficiency. Language assistance is offered throughout the student’s time at MCA.

The Director of International Student Academics is available for ongoing support, especially in essay writing and high-level reading comprehension, as well as to assist students in their preparation for postsecondary education.

Is tuition assistance available?

Tuition levels for international students take into consideration many factors and may vary depending on the inclusions of the program. Please contact the school if you have questions or concerns.

Questions can be directed to admissions@mcamustangs.org.

What additional fees are not included in tuition?

Activity fees for athletics, drama, and other extracurricular activities
Annual re-enrollment fee
AP testing fees
Application fee (admissions and financial aid)
Dress code
Instrument rental
Local and global field trips
Lunch
Non-refundable enrollment deposit, applied towards tuition
Summer programs
X-Tended Care

What age does my child need to be to start Kindergarten?

Children need to be 5 years old by September 1 of the year they begin Kindergarten.

Our full-day Kindergarten program blends play-based learning with a strong academic and social foundation—setting students up for a lifetime of curiosity and growth from their very first year.

What age does my child need to be to start Preschool or PreK?

Children are welcome to begin our Preschool program at age 3 and PreK at age 4.

Preschool: children should be potty trained and turn 3 by September 1 of the enrollment year. Children who turn 3 after September 1 are welcome to begin on their birthday, provided space is available.

PreK: PreK welcomes children who are 4 or 5 by September 1.

What are school hours, and do you offer extended care?

Preschool–Lower School: 8 am–3 pm

Middle and High School: 8:15 am–3:10 pm

Before-school care begins at 7 am for all grade levels.

After school, we offer:

X-Tended Day (Preschool–Grade 4) until 5:30 pm
X-Tended Experience (Grades 5–6) until 5:30 pm
Supervised Study Space (Grades 7–12) until 5:30 pm
Enrichment Programs (Preschool–Grade 4) featuring after-school clubs and classes, including cooking, coding, Spanish, pottery, Math Club, golf, and more.

What are the possible admissions outcomes?

Acceptance: The student and family meet all MCA admissions criteria, and space is available in the applicant's grade.
Wait Pool: The student qualifies but no space is currently available; families are contacted directly when an opening occurs.
Denial: When a student or family does not meet admissions criteria, a personal phone call is made before any written communication.

What colleges or universities do Maranatha graduates attend?

Below is an example of the universities and colleges our recent international student graduates have been accepted for enrollment.

Northeastern University
Purdue University - West Lafayette
Rutgers University
Texas A&M University
University of California - San Diego
University of California - Irvine
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Sidney
University of Southern California
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin - Madison

In addition to the above list, students graduating from Maranatha have been accepted at some of the nation's best universities:

Brown University
Carlson School of Management-University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Cornell University
Dartmouth University
Duke University
Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University
Northwestern University - Evanston, Illinois
Pepperdine University
Rensselaer Polytechnic University
And more...

What does the student body look like?

Maranatha welcomes students of every race, color, national origin, and ethnic background—our student body is 43% students of color, representing more than 100 churches across the Twin Cities.

What unites our community isn't background or zip code—it's a shared belief that every student is made in the image of God and deserves an education that reflects that truth.

What does tuition include?

Tuition includes your child's core education, including classes taught by licensed teachers in a Christ-centered environment.

Tuition also covers morning care starting at 7 am for all grade levels.

What fees are involved in the admissions process?

Application fee: $75 non-refundable per child, submitted with your online application
Financial aid application: $45 fee through our partner, FACTS
Enrollment deposit: $500 non-refundable upon acceptance—applied directly toward tuition
Annual re-enrollment fee: $75 during the priority window; increases to $150 on March 1 and $200 on May 1

What housing arrangements are available?

Maranatha has experienced host families, most of which have students of their own who attend our school.

Maranatha's administration personally visits each host family. Host families attend an orientation that sets expectations for their role in nurturing and assisting an international student in adjusting to American culture.

Our families contribute to an international student's well-being and success, including personal guidance, transportation to and from school, and encouragement in academics and activities/socializing.

What is the Duolingo English Test (DET) score requirement?

A minimum DET score of 75 or above is required for academic enrollment.

For applicants scoring a DET of 70 or below, an alternative English Language Academic Pathway Program is available.

Please contact the ISP Director at InternationalAdmissions@mcamustangs.org for more information.

When does the school year begin?

The 2026–2027 school year will begin on Monday August, 24, 2026 and end on May 29, 2027.

New international students should arrive in Minnesota no later than August 16, 2026, approximately 10 days before the start of the school year. During this time, international students will acclimate to their host homes, adjust to the time change, attend a 3-day orientation (8/18–20) and a get-acquainted outing, take placement tests for math and English, choose course schedules, prepare for classes, and attend back-to-school events.
Returning international students should arrive in Minnesota no later than August 19, approximately a week before the start of the school year. If a returning student is playing athletics, they will need to arrive by August 16. Returning international students still need a few days to adjust to the time zone, move back into their host homes, prepare for school, and attend back-to-school events, including an orientation on August 20, 2026.

When do we apply for financial aid?

It is important to know that the admission process and the financial aid process run parallel. You must apply for admission and financial aid separately.

Your financial aid information is processed as you take the necessary steps for completing admission. Please note that it can take up to two weeks before your financial profile is sent to the Maranatha Business Office from FACTS.

When is tuition due and what payment plans are available?

Tuition payments processed through FACTS allows families access to their account information 24/7.

All MCA families will be enrolled in FACTS; a fee of $55/family will be charged for the ten- or twelve-month tuition plans. Payments will be automatically debited from a checking or savings account. Reminder emails will be sent 15 days prior to the tuition withdrawal date.

Automatic pre-pay full tuition by June 5, 20, or 25, 2026
Automatic semester/bi-annual payments on June 5, 20, or 25 and November 5, 20, or 25, 2026 (one-half of annual tuition paid on each date)
Automatic ten (June 2026–March 2027) or twelve-monthly payments (June 2026–May 2027). Payment dates are the 5, 20, or 25 of each month.