School's Mission Statement

Maranatha Christian Academy exists to provide students an academically rigorous college-preparatory education in a distinctly Christian environment of high values, character development, and exceptional student culture.

School’s Core Values

Maranatha Christian Academy fulfills its mission through purposing to:

• Assist in the development of the “whole” person - spirit, soul, and body – in each of our students.
• Assist each student in establishing a real and unshakable relationship with Jesus Christ by
  (1) presenting the gospel, (2) training them to use the Word of God with authority, (3) and promoting the development of a truly biblical worldview and value system.
• Produce students who are academically qualified: well-educated, self-directed, and life-long learners.
• Act as an extension of the home and church by instilling Christian values and thus, together, equip the next generation to live godly lives in an increasingly ungodly world.
• Train young people to be positive role models and influential leaders who will carry out the “Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
• Lead students by way of example and instruction into a lifestyle that places the needs of others above their own needs and wants.

School’s Points of Distinction

Maranatha Christian Academy believes that it is possible to deliver a college-preparatory education while providing strong spiritual development without catering to a select group of students. Maranatha provides academic rigor that includes innovative 21st century offerings in every discipline at all grade levels preparing students for future success. While the importance of academic achievement cannot be understated, the foundation of all success in life is our faith. MCA is spiritually vibrant and committed to foster nutritious personal spiritual growth, producing a culture where students expect the best from each other, challenge each other, and encourage each other. Our passion for success produces a level of excellence in every area of the Academy.

• Accredited by:
  • North Central Association Commission of Accreditation and School Improvement / A Division of AdvanceED
  • International Christian Accrediting Association
  • Accreditation International
• Member of:
  • Association of Christian Schools International
  • Minnesota Independent School Forum
  • Minnesota State High School League
  • Independent School Management Consortium
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
  • National Honor Society
  • College Board
  • Oral Roberts University Education Fellowship
• 660 Students Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12
• 15 to 1 student/teacher ratio
• Average class size of 18
• 30% Students of ethnic diversity
• 68 Different churches represented
• $4.2 million in academic scholarships offered to our senior class (average of 43 graduates) over the last three years.
• MCA offers 5 Advanced Placement Classes and one College in the Schools class
  • Calculus
  • US History
  • Biology
  • Literature Composition
  • Language Composition
  • “College in the Schools” Economics (taught by a Northwestern College Professor)
• Robotics program Grades 4-12
• Smart Board systems in every classroom K-12 provide 21st Century technology to each student.
• Four mobile computer labs of 25 laptop computers and three fixed computer centers.
• Winner of Minnesota Independent School Forum STEM grants the last three years.
• Engineering class has partnered with the Superior Hiking Trail to build and repair two walking bridges over the last two years.
• Academic Counseling Program
  • Starting in Grade 6, this program guides parents and students in their academic journey from middle school to high school and ultimately to an excellent post-secondary decision after graduation.
  • Naviance: a web-based career and college planning tool made available to every Upper School family.
• Edline: the school’s private, safe and convenient way for parents of students in Grades 2-12 to stay current with their child’s grades and homework online.
• New England Prep web-based SAT and ACT test preparation program integrated into Grades 9-12 coursework.
• Free after-school assistance and tutors are available to every student Grades 3-12.
• MCA+ Enrichment Center.
  • Individual and customized academic support for Grades K-12.
  • One-on-one and small group instruction in math and reading for Grades 1-6.
  • Academic assistance, tracking, and accountability in Grades 7-12.
• MCA hosts 13 varsity sports and also has a MSHSL approved cooperative with Osseo High School for sports such as football, hockey, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, and more.
  • Our athletic motto is, “play to win twice for an audience of one.”
• 2011-2012 theme verse: “In Him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:22 (ESV)

Campus Life

Maranatha Christian Academy is blessed with a vibrant campus life. With Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 on one campus, it allows Upper School students the opportunity to model God-like behavior to the younger classes. In addition to rigorous academics and a strong spiritual climate, students are able to participate in numerous co-curricular activities. The Upper School choices include: Mission Trips to Mexico, Adventures Club hiking expeditions, Strategy Games, Winter Downhill Sports, Book Club, and more. A strong music program that is comprised of Jazz Band, Chapel Band, Middle and High School Choir, Concert Band, and private lessons is also available. Furthermore, there are two stage productions for students presented by the growing Thespian Arts program. The Lower School students have the ability to participate in after-school activities such as archery, foreign languages, computer, and more.

“At Maranatha I have experienced high school to the fullest. I have been able to play three varsity sports, participate in National Honor Society, and take multiple AP classes.”
- Makenzie Lee, Class of 2011. Captain of the soccer, softball, and State Champion basketball team. Received a scholarship to Hamline University.

A Strong Spiritual Climate

At the core of this academically rigorous college-preparatory academy is a strong spiritual understanding that apart from God, we can do nothing (John 15:5). MCA students participate in weekly chapels. In the Lower School, the sixth grade is responsible for leading praise and worship and periodically planning the whole chapel. The Upper School Chapel Band is an ensemble of students that lay a foundation of praise and worship prior to the start of each chapel.

MCA offers students the opportunity to explore their faith through Bible classes like apologetics. Similarly, all teachers weave the Word of God into their subject matter and model Christ-like behavior in and out of the classroom, challenging students to not only know their Bible, but to live it as well. A crowning achievement is their senior speech, where students dive deep into their faith and use public speaking skills to present it in front of their peers, with the finalists speaking in front of the entire school.

“Our kids are getting an education that rivals any private school in the Twin Cities. But what’s more important to me is the Christ-centered approach. As good as the academics are, it’s the spiritual component that really grounds the kids and complements the things we do at home.”
- Austin and Melissa Coleman. Parents of four MCA students (Grades K, 3, 5, and 7)