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Frequently Asked Questions


MCS exists to provide a nurturing, comprehensive, Christ-centered educational program, challenging students to realize their God-given potential and equipping them to fulfill God’s purposes in their daily lives.


As stated in our mission statement, MCS is a non-denominational Christ-centered learning community where Christ is the center of all that we do in educating students. MCS is a ministry of Maranatha Chapel. We encourage all families to attend church but it is not a requirement for admission. There are a variety of religious affiliations within our community. MCS does not discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and other school-administered programs. The mission of Maranatha Christian Schools is to equip students to fulfill God’s purposes in their daily lives. It is our prayer that every student eventually experiences Jesus as his or her Lord and Savior. Biblical contextualization is at the heart of all instruction in the and out of the classroom to include co-curricular activities. All of our teachers and staff are committed, Christian believers, dedicated to Christ.


Yes, children must be 5 by September 1st.


Our Early Education campus is located at Maranatha Chapel located at 10752 Coastwood Road, San Diego, 92127. Applications are available here or you may call 858.613.7803.


MCS offers After School Care which incorporates a variety of enrichment activities in the program. More detailed information is available here.


Yes, we have a full-time Registered Nurse on duty.


Yes, we are a uniformed school. Our uniforms are provided by Sue Mills, Land’s End and French Toast. In addition to purchasing new uniforms, MCS maintains a resale rack of gently-used uniforms for our families.


Yes, hot lunches may be ordered from Ki's School Lunches. Click here for menus, prices, and more information.  Ki's School Lunches can be contacted by phone at (760) 828 - 5236 or email at info@kisschoollunches.com if you need to make any changes.


Yes, we do – Family Portal, a private and secure portal which allows parents to see academic information specific to their children while protecting their children’s information from others.  Information available to view is as follows:

  • Attendance
  • Daily Grades
  • Progress Reports
  • Report Cards
  • Discipline
  • Homework
  • Missing Assignments
  • School Calendar
  • School Announcements
  • Teacher Email Addresses


Accreditation is a self-study conducted by school officials, which is then verified by an outside independent agency. The accreditation process determines if the school meets clearly defined standards. The major goal of accreditation is self-improvement. MCS maintains a dual accreditation with ACTS (Association of Christian Teachers and Schools) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). MCS holds membership in College, California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Click here to view the Accreditation Report


As part of the ACSI accreditation process, 80% or more of our teachers are required to hold the ACSI credential. In combination with the ACSI credential, State of California credentials, and credentials from other states, nearly 100% of our teachers hold a valid teaching credential and/or advanced degrees.


Our goal is to promote a high standard of personal conduct in our students. This is accomplished through respect for one another, for those in authority and through observance of rules and guidelines as expressed in the Student Handbook. We teach that students are responsible for their actions. Failure to respond to correction and disregard of warnings result in consequences appropriate to the offense. Students are not expected to exhibit perfect behavior, but growth in Christ-like behavior is our goal for each and every child.


School safety is everyone’s responsibility. A variety of policies and best-practices to maintain a safe campus have been put in place. All visitors on the campus are screened at the front desk and required to sign in and wear a school visitors badge or their assigned Level I or II Clear ID. We practice school safety drills such as fire, earthquake, and lock downs on a regular basis. Teacher Assistants wearing a readily visible vest and carrying walkie-talkies supervise recesses and lunch periods. All staff are encouraged to be observant while out and about and know to report any concerns to the front office immediately. All classrooms are equipped with phones and an intercom system to maintain campus-wide communication; we have developed a close working relationship with the S.D. Sherriff’s Department that visits our campus on a regular basis.

 

Average Class Size:

  • PreK: 12
  • K-5: 22-26 (varies per grade)
  • JH: 17-20 (28 max class size)

As students move into upper-level language classes or get involved in electives, Honors, or Advanced Placement (AP), class size may decrease slightly. K-8 grades have a teacher's assistant.

 


Each year it varies somewhat by grade: 

  • Preschool: 51% Male, 49% Female
  • Grades TK-5: 50% Male, 50% Female
  • Grades 6-8: 49% Male, 51% Female
  • Grades 9-12: 53% Male, 47% Female


MCS uses a variety of publishers to provide curriculum materials. In each subject area, teachers and administrators evaluate the publishers to provide an up-to-date and challenging learning experience. We follow the California state standards. All curriculums are continuously evaluated every 3 years for the integrity of content and are used with Christian interpretation and application.


Yes, High School students purchase textbooks through a variety of sources.


Elementary and Junior Divisions do not have dedicated 'Gifted Programs', however, our teachers do utilize differentiated teaching methods to meet the needs of all students both average and gifted. All academics courses are taught to a high standard of excellence to prepare students to advance to the next grade or division. Junior High students may take Algebra and Geometry for HS credit. In High School (Grades 9-12), students may qualify to take Honors or one of seventeen Advanced Placement (AP) classes in mathematics, science, history, foreign language, and English.


If we see that a student is excelling, we will present additional work and subject matter that will challenge him/her. Our goal is to help our students achieve their fullest God-given potential. 


MCS welcomes division appropriate parental involvement in a variety of ways. This might take the form of working in a classroom in the elementary division, being a division coordinator in junior high or working with any number of co-curricular activities: athletics, performing arts,  or our Parent Action Committee. There are numerous ways for parents to be involved depending on your gifts and talents or the amount of time and energy you have available. Get Involved | Volunteer Packet


Depending on the nature of the special needs, MCS may or may not be able to accommodate a student. For example, academic entrance requires that a student be able to succeed without special accommodations often required in an I.E.P.  So depending on the individual circumstance, a student might be successful without accommodation due to our smaller class sizes and differentiated teaching. MCS reserves the right to select students based on academic performance, religious commitment, lifestyle choices, and personal qualifications, including a willingness to cooperate with MCS administration and policies.

You can find information on supply list, forms, etc. on our resource page for all divisions.  Click here.

It is the goal of Maranatha Christian Schools to have parents greatly involved with their child's education. Prior to the start of school in September, parents are given the opportunity to sign up to assist in their child's classroom and with the organization of school functions.  All volunteers must submit a volunteer application and receive clearance for either Level I or Level II volunteering. Details may be found in our Volunteer Application online. Click here or on the resources page in the Tk-12 section.

All volunteers who would like participate in any MCS overnight activity any off campus activities, transporting students to sporting events, extended-stay school field trips; these volunteers will be required to have a background check clearance through Live Scan. Maranatha Christian cannot accept background checks completed from other organizations. The cost will be paid by the volunteer.

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