Answers to the questions we hear the most.
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:
We don't view these as barriers. We view them as the foundation of something worth belonging to.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maranatha offers three enrollment windows each year:
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.
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:
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.
Preschool is for children who have turned 3 by September 1 and are potty trained. PreK is for 4 and 5-year-old children.
The regular school day runs from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Extended care is available in the morning from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM and in the afternoon from 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM.
The Preschool and PreK classrooms maintain a strict 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Students participate in daily core studies like Math, Language Arts, and Bible time, along with specialist classes that include PE, art, music, library, and STEM.
Families can choose from a 2-Day (Tuesday, Thursday), 3-Day (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), or 5-Day (Monday–Friday) weekly structure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Below is an example of the universities and colleges our recent international student graduates have been accepted for enrollment.
In addition to the above list, students graduating from Maranatha have been accepted at some of the nation's best universities:
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.
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.
The 2026–2027 school year will begin on Monday August, 24, 2026 and end on May 29, 2027.
Yes. To ensure our teachers can focus fully on classroom instruction, students must know how to go to the bathroom and wash their hands entirely independently.
Not at all! We will teach them how to read by the end of the school year.
In terms of fine motor skills, we simply look for the ability to correctly grip a pen or crayon, grasp scissors, and trace dotted lines.
Children need to be 5 years old by September 1 of the year they begin Kindergarten.
Every child is unique and learns at their own pace, but we look for foundational language and listening skills. Your child is generally ready if they can follow multi-step directions, speak in sentences of four to six words, and focus on a task for at least five minutes.
Emotional readiness is a common concern for many parents. While our caring teachers are excellent at helping students adjust, a key indicator of readiness is that your child can separate from their parent or caregiver without strong emotions and communicate their basic needs.
Mastering independent skills translates into a much smoother experience for your child. We ask that students know how to ask for help when confused, blow their own nose, put on their own coat, and dress independently, including zipping, buttoning, and tying shoes.
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.
Maranatha Christian Academy offers need-based financial aid for domestic students entering Grades K–12.
Merit or athletic scholarships are not available.
Maranatha Christian Academy offers the following discounts for families. These discounts are not available to be combined with financial aid:
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.
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.
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:
Notes:
Maranatha Christian Academy offers a need-based financial assistance program for grades Kindergarten through 12th. This program adjusts tuition based on family financial need and can cover up to nearly half a year’s tuition. Early Education students are not eligible. Families must apply annually through FACTS, a third-party financial processor, and reapply each year since aid is not guaranteed or automatic. We encourage families to apply soon after submitting their admission application.
For an estimate prior to application, families can use this financial aid calculator. Please note that this calculator is a rough estimate and that a full financial aid application verified using tax forms is required.
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.
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.
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.
