New Families

Welcome New Families!

We are so excited that you are joining the MCA family! As a new family, we know you have questions as you prepare for the upcoming school year, and explore the many activities in which your child can get involved. We have several important items to share with you below as you prepare to join the MCA family.


Be sure to complete enrollment

Most new families have already completed this step, however if you have questions about confirming your enrollment status, please contact the Admissions Office. Your completed enrollment is needed in order for you to receive class placement, teacher assignments, course schedules, and school communications. 

Families with a child already enrolled at MCA

Use your current (parent) user name to log into FACTS Family Portal to begin enrollment. 

Once you login, click on “Apply/Enroll” and then “Enrollment/Re-Enrollment” to begin the online enrollment process.

District Code: MCA-MN

New Families

Upon acceptance, you will receive an email invitation to begin enrollment online. Our online enrollment system is integrated with FACTS, our online tuition management system, through which you will set up payment plans. The second step is to access Family Portal and complete the enrollment process.

Create an account/login to FACTS family portal

District Code: MCA-MN


Ways to Get Connected at MCA

It is often said that Maranatha feels like family. While this may sound cliché, the truth is we have a wonderfully engaging community where people find connections easily. We encourage you to explore the many ways in which you can connect and meet new friends at MCA. 

School Communication

Download our MCA APP! - This is your "one stop shop" for all things MCA including lunch menus, handbooks, event calendar, athletic information, and more! Get it on the App Store or Google Play. Be sure to turn on notifications!

 

Weekly Mane Outlook Email 

Mane OutlookEvery Monday, MCA will send an all school communication containing important information on upcoming events and other details you need to know. Be sure to add [email protected] to your safe sender list (or add us to your address book) so these emails do not get filtered by unfortunate bots.

To view the most recent emails: 

 

Connect with us on Social Media

Parents with Purpose

Parents with Purpose - a great way to get connected and meet other parents. Join the group on Facebook and introduce yourself. Plus, be sure to check the PWP website regularly for updates.

Parents with Purpose Website

Upcoming Parents with Purpose events: 

Back-to-School Breakfast for Moms!

MCA moms, join us for breakfast on Friday, September 1 at 8:15 a.m. at 3 Squares in Maple Grove. This breakfast will be a great way to connect with other moms to kick off the new school year! We look forward to seeing you.

Mom's Coffee Dates

Join us for coffee! This casual setting is great for meeting other MCA moms and building community. Click here for the schedule of the monthly coffee dates and put them in your calendar.

The first Moms' Coffee will be Thursday, September 14, in the LW Coffee House. We can't wait to get to know your better!

 

Maranatha Mornings

Maranatha Mornings - the last Friday of each month, we invite parents to join us in the Coffee House for coffee, pastries, and tips and wisdom from guest speakers. For more information and the schedule, click here

Getting Involved
  • Volunteering - get involved by volunteering your time. Click here for more information.
  • Parents with Purpose - a great way to get connected and meet other parents. Join the group on Facebook and introduce yourself. 
  • Give the gift of Christian education by supporting the Annual Fund.
Who to Contact

At some point, you’ll have a question or need to let us know something! Reach out to a staff member individually using our Staff Directory, or find the frequently used contacts below.

Business-related Questions:

Academic-related Questions:

Student life-related Questions: 

Getting Involved:


Back-to-School!

The 2023-24 school year is quickly approaching! We have listed important information as you prepare to start the school year. 

Important Back to School Events

As the school year approaches, be sure to put these important dates on your calendar. 

Back-to-School Kick-off Night - August 21

All grades are invited to Back to School Kick-off Night. This is an important night to meet your teachers, get school pictures taken, bring school supplies, find your classroom and lockers, and hear from the Head of School and Principals.  Click here for the schedule.

Ice Cream Socials

  • August 10 (5:30 - 7 pm on campus) Lower School Ice Cream Social
  • August 24 ( 6 pm at noble Sports Park) Middle School Ice Cream Social

Academic Events

  • August 14 (7 - 9 pm) Welcome to MCA for Grades 5-12
  • August 22 (5 - 7:30 pm in Band Room) Band Open House (Current MCA students entering Grade 5 and new MCA students entering Grade 6)

Bahoo Yahoo! Breakfast - August 29 | 8 - 9:30 am

Back to School can be an emotional roller coaster. For some parents, it can be sad (boohoo), and for others, it can be joyous (yahoo). We are celebrating both ups and downs with donuts and coffee on Tuesday, August 29, in the Coffee House Lobby, from 8-9:30 a.m.

    School Pictures, Yearbooks, Senior Pictures

    School Picture Days:

    • Grades 5-12 | August 21 (during the Back to School Night)
    • PreK- Grade 4 | September 20
    • Picture Retakes | October 18

    Please have your student dress appropriately for school pictures. Click here for details on ordering school pictures through Jostens. 

    Yearbooks:

    School yearbooks can be ordered through Jostens. More information will be available. 

    Senior Photos:

    Seniors need to take their school picture at Back to School night for their school ID only. 

    Seniors and/or senior parents, please click here to connect to a special page on the Jostens website for you to upload your senior photos for the yearbook and graduation program. (A security key was emailed to each family to grant you access.)

    Dress Code and Spirit Wear

    Dress Code Guides:

    Every Friday is Spirit Wear Fridays! Visit our spirit wear store below. 

    Gear Up with Mustangs Spirit Wear

    Shop our high quality selection of Spirit Wear including, hoodies, tees, hats, backpacks, and more. Every item is made to order and will be completed 7-10 business days after your order date. Order Spirit Wear

    Back-to-school 15% discount! Order Aug 14 - Sept 1 and get 15% off using code MARANATHABTS23 at checkout.

     

     

    Health Forms

     

    Maranatha has a school nurse on site to help manage student health needs. All required records should be printed and emailed to the School Nurse, Bobbie Ehlen, or faxed to the school at 763-315-7294, Attention Health office. 

    For more information on required physicals, immunizations, and medications, please visit our health section.

     

    Teacher Assignments and Class Schedules

    One of the most common questions asked is "When will we find out our teacher (PK-4th) or get a copy of our class schedule (5th-12th).

    • Teacher and Class Assignments for Lower School are sent in the first two weeks of August. Please do not email principals requesting teachers or class assignments. Our staff has a process to be sure that all classrooms are balanced according to need. Requests are not guaranteed or given priority above the overall class needs. 
    • Class schedules (Grades 5-12) are provided at Back to School night. If you have questions about your schedule, selecting classes, or drop/add, please contact Deborah Meiners in the Academic and College Counseling office. 
    Academic Handbooks and Academic/College Counseling

    Academic Handbooks:

    Middle School Handbook

    High School Handbook

    BYOD Device Guide (Grades 4-12)

     

    Academic, College, and Career Planning

    Maranatha’s College and Career Counseling Department assists students in discovering God’s call on their lives through a greater understanding of their identity in Christ, strengths, giftings, and exploration of classes, careers, and career paths.

    Each MCA student is assigned a counselor to guide them in all aspects of student life, ultimately to bridge from high school into their future – whether it’s college, missions, the military, or directly into a career.

    Click here for more information. 

    Summer Semester and Summer Reading

    Summer Semester

    Connect with other families during the summer through our Summer Semester program. Activities for all ages and grades are available.

    Summer Reading

    Many grades have Summer Reading Requirements. Please visit our summer reading schedule for details. 


    Navigating the School Day

    There is a lot of information when joining a new school. We have listed many resources to help you navigate daily logistics at MCA. Everything you need is listed below. For easy access, we always recommend downloading the MCA APP. 

    School Hours and Weather/Emergency Closings

    School Hours:

    • PK school day: 8 am - 3 pm (PK classrooms are open from 7 am - 6 pm)
    • Lower School (K - 4): 8 am - 3 pm
    • Middle/Upper School (5-12): 8:15 am - 3:10 pm

    Before school care: students may be dropped off at 7 am. PK students are check-into their classrooms. K-12 gather in the cafeteria. 

    X-Tended Day:

    • X-Tended Care (K-4): 3:15 pm - 6 pm
    • X-Tended Experience (5-6): 3:20 - 6 pm
    • Grades 7-12 can study on campus until 6 pm. After 6 pm, students must be participating in an extra-curricular in order to be on campus. 

    For more information and registration for X-Tended Day, please click here.

    Weather and Emergency Closings:

    For information, policies, and questions about possible school closings, and other interruptions to school or school activities, please click here.

    Pre-K Check-in and Check-out Procedures

    Please watch the short video below for the following Pre-K check-in and check-out procedures:

    • Check-in process 
    • Arrivals before 7:45 check in to Morning Care
    • Lunch
    • Nap items
    • Dismissal (car line or aftercare)

     

    Door dismissal, Transporation, and Carpool Traffic Flow

    Door Dismissal and Carpool Traffic Flow:

    MCA uses a staggered dismissal time and assigned doors to manage the car pool traffic flow. Please take a moment to view the Traffic Flow map

    MCA traffic flow map

    Transportation/Bussing:

    Families residing in School District 279 may opt-in to morning bus transportation.  A Transportation Request Form can be completed as part of the enrollment packet.  If you have questions, please contact Matt Shepherd in the Business Office.

    Our Business Office will submit the Transportation Request Form to District 279.  District 279 will then contact you late summer with a pick time and location (usually at your home or the cross street/corner near your home). Students are brought to the High School closest to their residence (either Osseo, Park Center, or Maple Grove High School) and then transfer to the bus going to Maranatha, arriving at Maranatha about 7:30 am.

    After-school bussing is not available.

    Report a Student Absence

    Reporting a student absence or early pick up

    If your student will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early, please submit an absence form. If you call student services, they will request you to submit this form. All situations require you to complete this form: 

    • Late arrival to school (ex. missing a complete class period for a doctors appointment)
    • Absences
    • Early pick-up

     

    Report an absence here

     

    Accessing FACTS and Schoology

    FACTS

    FACTS is our Student Information System (SIS). This system is where you will find our directory, report cards, tuition and billing, and lunch accounts. 

    Login to FACTS (our district code is MCA-MN)

    Schoology

    Schoology is our Learning Management System (LMS) where students and parents can see their daily assignments and grades. 

    Schoology for parents

     

    Questions on accessing your accounts? Contact our IT Support team.

    Calendar

    Web Calendar

    This calendar is updated as events are added and/or changed. Please refer to this calendar for the most up to date information. 

    One-Page Overview Calendar

    For your convenience, we have provided a quick-glance one-page calendar. Use this to plan for days off and major events. Please note that this calendar is subject to change so we advise using the web calendar for the most up to date school events. 

    Lunch Program

    Maranatha offers students, staff, and guests multiple options for hot lunch, from al a carte to vegetarian to premium, and more. Please click here to view the current month's menus.

    Adding money into your family lunch account

    • Login into your FACTS family portal (district code MCA-MN)
    • Click on the financial tab to load money into the lunch account. Funds deposited will show up immediately. There is no waiting period.
    • Lunch accounts are family accounts so all enrolled children in a family will share the funds. 
    • Lunch accounts are not automatically replenished. Parents must authorize additional funds by logging back into your portal. When lunch accounts go below $$10, you will receive reminder emails to load additional funds. 
    • Parents are able to view what has been purchased each day in their account.

    Junior/Senior Lunch 

    Juniors and Seniors may eat lunch in the Coffee House. Lunch items may be purchased from the Coffee House if they choose. The Coffee House is not linked to student's lunch accounts and require payment by cash or credit card. 

    Snack Shack

    Snack Shack is available after school. Snack Shack is hosted by Middle School Student Council, therefore cash must be used to purchase items. Snack Shack items may not be purchased using the students lunch account balance. 

     **Students in Pre-k to Grade 5 must have a parent with them in order to purchase items from the Snack Shack.

    X-Tended Day and Non-school Day Care

    X-Tended Day

    Maranatha's X-Tended Day programming offers great opportunities for students in Grades K-6 to build relationships, enhance creativity, achieve homework goals, and have fun together. Whether it is afterschool care, enrichment clubs, or non-school-day care, we instill the values of Christ's attitude reflected everywhere. As a continuation of Maranatha's school day, X-Tended Day's academic focus fosters a love of school taught through a Christian Worldview. 

    For care options and registration beyond the school day, click here.

    Release Days and Half Days

    When school is not in session, Maranatha has designed a special program for students in PK through Grade 6. During these non-school or half-days, students have fun with friends and often have an opportunity to go on field trips. Full-days run 7:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. and after school on half days begin after dismissal and run until 3:15 p.m./3:20 p.m.. After school X-Tended Care/Experience rates apply.

    Athletics, Activities, Robotics, and Music Lessons

    Athletics Registration

    Middle and Upper School students have an opportunity to play sports through MCA. For more information about sports physicians and joining a team, click here

    Friendly reminder: Registration is open for all High School & Middle School Fall Sports! You are required to be registered before August 14 to be eligible to participate in High School Sports.

    Enrichment Activities

    The Enrichment program is designed for students looking to take their learning to the next level through a variety of hands-on afterschool experiences and fun activities. The classes typically take place after school until 4:15 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. As new classes are added, flyers and information are sent home to allow parents to register their students for engaging activities such as knitting/crochet, book club, innovation club and more. 

    View our Clubs and Activities

    Music Lessons

    Interested in taking music lessons on campus? Explore options here.

    Robotics

    • First Lego League (FLL): Students in grades 5-8, with a teacher’s recommendation. This is a competitive robotics team that must complete a number of activities within the time frame of the season. The season runs from September through January. We typically meet twice after school until 4:30. Register online through our Activities Department - Fall Activities.
    • First Tech Challenge (FTC): Students in grades 8-12. The build season runs September through March, and we typically meet two evenings and Saturday morning per week.  The off season runs April through August and teams typically meet a few times per month. Register online through our Activities Department - Fall Activities.

     

    Upper School Service Hours

    Upper School Students are required to complete service hours each school year. Service hour requirements are listed below:

    • Grades 5–6 need 15 hours of service.
    • Grades 7–8 need 25 hours of service.
    • Grades 9–12 need 35 hours of service.

    Note: Students can earn service hours during the summer months for the 2023-24 school year! Students can enter hours earned over the summer in Naviance or manually track them, and we will enter them in Naviance in the Fall.