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 Things Email 

Every Thursday, 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.

Connect with us on Social Media

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 using our Staff Directory.


Preparing for your first day of school

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

At Maranatha, we believe in rest and rejuvenation during the summer, but we also believe in keeping the mind active. Many grades have Summer Reading Requirements. Please visit our summer reading schedule for details. 

Band Open House | Aug 18, 2025

Is your Middle or High Schooler interested in playing an instrument? Join us for the Band Open House on August 18 from 5-7 pm. You can try different instruments and speak with members of our music department. 

New MS/HS Student Open House | Aug 18, 2025

All new students students in Middle School (Grade 5-8) and High School (Grade 9-12) are invited to attend a special Open House on August 18, 2025 from 5 - 7 pm. This gives your student an opportunity to walk their schedule and meet principals prior to the Back-to-School Night on August 21. 

 

Does this event replace the Back-to-School Night? 

No. Back-to-School Night is an all-school event where every staff member is in attendance. We start in the sanctuary for a general all-school assembly with the Head of School. After the assembly, you will visit classrooms, decorate your lockers, take your school picture (Grade 9-12 only) and visit all the information tables in the cafeteria. Once you've completed all the business, grab an ice cream from one of the ice cream trucks on your way out. This is a night you will not want to miss! Visit the back-to-school page to learn more. 

Back-to-School Night | Aug 21, 2025

Back-to-School Night - August 21 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Before the start of school, the entire MCA community gets together for the annual Back-to-School Night. Families will meet staff, find lockers and classrooms, pick up dress code orders, meet Parents with Purpose, and more. Plus, students in Grades 9-12 will get their school photos taken. 

  • All-Family General Assembly with the Head of School in the sanctuary: 5:00 - 5:30 pm
  • Open House: 5:30 - 7:00 pm
    • Find lockers and classrooms
    • Meet teachers and advisors
    • Get class schedules (MS/HS) from advisors
    • Bring school supplies
    • Pick up dress code orders
    • Submit health forms
    • Take school pictures in the gym (Grades 9-12 only - reserve time here)
    • Visit information tables in the cafeteria (lunch, health, Parents with Purpose, athletics, X-tended day, transportation etc)

Division Specific Details:

  • Pre-K families: as a courtesy, families can check their students into their classroom starting at 4:30 pm so that they can attend the general assembly. Please pick your child up by 6:15 pm.
  • Lower School students will receive an email from their teacher the week of August 11th and a phone call by August 15th. If you do not remember your teacher, class lists will be posted on the Lower School office window.
  • Middle School students will receive a phone call from their advisor prior to back-to-school night. If you do not remember your advisor, lists will be posted on the High School Hallway by the Learning lane.
Middle School Orientation Video with Mr. Banks

Mr. Allen Banks, Middle School Principal, reviews important information on Middle School. 

  • Meet the MS team
  • Vision
  • Middle School Culture
  • Biblical Worldview
  • Academics 
  • GPA and Grading Scale
  • Schoology
  • Student Support
  • Dress Code
  • Attendance and X-tended Care (after school)
  • Getting Involved

 

 

High School Orientation with Dr. Rothstein

Dr. Sarah Rothstein, High School Principal, reviews important information on High School. 

  • Biblical Worldview
  • Meet the HS team
  • Bell Schedule
  • Graduation Requirements
  • College at Maranatha / AA Program with Bethel University
  • Academic Support / W.I.N Time
  • Parent Communication
  • Service Hour Requirements
  • Attendance
  • Dress Code
  • Cell Phone Policy
  • Culture in Action / Building School Culture
  • Leadership Opportunities

 

 

Finally, visit our Back-to-School page for school supplies and other important information you will need to prepare for the start of the year. 


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 or visiting the Parent Resource page on the website. 

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 - 5:30 pm
  • X-Tended Experience (5-6): 3:20 - 5:30 pm
  • Grades 7-12 can study on campus until 5:30 pm. After 5:30 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 carpool traffic flow. Please click here to download the 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

Maranatha Christian Academy Schoology Parent Guide

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. Current lunch menus can be found on the MCA App, or on the lunch program page of our website.

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. 

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 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 upcoming 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.