High School - 10/30

Dear High School Families,

It’s hard to believe that we are already heading into November! As we look ahead to the coming weeks, we have several exciting and important events on the calendar. Veteran families, please save the date for our Veteran’s Day Chapel on Tuesday, November 11, from 11 am–noon in the Youth Space. We would love to honor and celebrate those who have served our country. If you or a family member plan to attend, please fill out the form below so that we can plan accordingly.

Senior families, please take a moment to review the senior year to-do list in this week’s newsletter. There are a few upcoming deadlines related to graduation and yearbook pictures that we don’t want you to miss. Staying on top of these details now helps ensure a smooth finish to an exciting year ahead!

We’re also gearing up for parent-teacher conferences next week. These conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers and discuss your student’s progress. In addition, we encourage all high school parents to attend Financial Aid Night next Thursday, where you’ll receive valuable information about the college application process, FAFSA, and more. We look forward to seeing you there and continuing to partner with you in your student’s journey!

Sarah Rothstein, Ed.D.

High School Principal

We were blessed to have North Central University come to our campus and do our chapel services for both High School and Middle School this week. North Central University's chapel band, Worship Live, performed worship for our students and met with our chapel band afterwards. Our students were impressed to see college students on fire for Jesus Christ and who were bold to proclaim Christ's name. Big shoutout to Pastor Joshua Edmon, the Dean of Multicultural and Spiritual Life at NCU, for challenging our High School students to be different for Christ. Our middle schoolers had a lot of fun with NCU alum, Caymen De Jong, who is a middle school youth pastor in the surrounding area. He spoke on a similar note to Pastor Edmon's message and referred to the Book of Daniel.

Thank you so much, North Central University, for blessing our community!

~Mr. Agrimson

On Tuesday, November 11, from 11 am–12 pm, our high school will hold a special Veterans Day Chapel in the Youth Space. We would love to invite any parent or grandparent of our high school students who has served—or is currently serving—in the military to join us for this meaningful time together. If you or a family member plan to attend, please take a moment to fill out the form below.

We are excited to celebrate and honor the brave men and women who have sacrificed and served our country. It will be a special opportunity for our students to express gratitude and learn from those who have demonstrated courage and service in such significant ways.

We want to begin by thanking the many students who consistently follow our dress code expectations each day — your commitment to upholding our school standards is truly appreciated.

However, we are continuing to see an increase in dress code violations, particularly with items such as sweatpants, co-op sports tops, and unbranded shirts worn Monday–Thursday, which are not part of the approved dress code. As a result, beginning Monday, our Upper School administration team will be conducting periodic dress code checks in classrooms.

To ensure clarity, the following consequences will be in place for students who are out of dress code:

We ask for your support in helping your student come to school in compliance with our dress code each day. Please take a moment this weekend to review expectations together and ensure that your student is prepared for a successful week ahead.

Thank you for partnering with us!

This is a super fun evening for all students in Grades 10–12. Sign-up information can be found below. Students will be placed in same-grade, same-gender groups with a staff member who will serve as their driver. Together, they’ll travel to different homes around the area, enjoying a different course of their dinner at each stop. It’s always a great night of food, laughter, and fellowship — one your student definitely won’t want to miss!

Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner! These upcoming conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child’s teachers and discuss their progress so far this school year. We value the partnership between home and school and look forward to collaborating together to support each student’s academic, social, and spiritual growth. Please review the information below carefully for conference dates, times, and details specific to your child’s grade level.

When you arrive for conferences, please plan to pick up your child’s progress report at the table located outside the gym before entering. Please note that this is not a report card as in previous years, but rather a snapshot of your student’s current grades as of Monday, November 3. This update allows teachers and parents to have timely conversations about student progress during conferences. This change applies only to High School students—report cards will still be distributed at the end of Semester 1.

PSEO Registration with Bethel University is coming up! Students taking PSEO course(s) through Bethel will meet with Bethel representatives and Mr. Jensen for a 15-minute advising session on October 30–31 (students should sign up in advance with the CCC). Following advising, students will register for Spring semester courses on Monday, November 17. Students planning to take a J-Term course should also register on November 17. Questions about advising or registration? Please contact Mr. Jensen at jacob.jensen@mcamustangs.org

Step into the pages of Scripture on this unforgettable journey through the Holy Land! From sailing the Sea of Galilee to walking the ancient streets of Jerusalem, every moment will bring the Bible to life. We will celebrate Palm Sunday in Jerusalem and share in Communion at the Garden Tomb, retracing the steps of Jesus and experiencing His story in powerful ways. Deepen your faith, build lasting memories, and experience Israel in a way you’ll never forget. The tour highlights biblical history—from the ancient world to the modern fulfillment of prophecy in Israel today—and includes Palm Sunday in Jerusalem and Communion at the Garden Tomb.

his is a life-changing journey designed to:

• Deepen your faith and understanding of the Bible
• Explore ancient and modern Israel—from Jerusalem to the Galilee
• Learn from on-site teaching, cultural experiences, and local voices
• Build lasting friendships and spiritual insight

Open to students, alumni, families, and community members
Spaces are limited—early registration encouraged!

Please note: any student wishing to participate in the Israel Tour must be accompanied by a parent both at the meeting and on the tour.

• Questions? Contact Pastor Deb Campbell (deb.campbell@lwcc.org)

To register, click here.

Attached Itinerary (And stay tuned—surprise stops and bonus experiences may be added to make this tour even more unforgettable!):

Date: Thursday, Nov. 6th at 6:30-8:30 (during Conferences)

Location: Coffee House

4 Strategies for a Smarter College Search

The college search continues to become more complex, making it harder for families to identify right-fit schools. Challenges include:

• Admission trends and how colleges admit students

• ACT/SAT Testing - some require it now, and some don't - what path makes sense?

• The number of schools on the “more selective” list continues to grow

• Substantial changes to the FAFSA, Dept of Education, and financial aid may make college more expensive

Join Maranatha Christian Academy as we partner with national college expert, Cozy Wittman, from College Inside Track, to learn how these changes may impact your family, and new strategies to consider to give your student the best opportunity to be admitted and maximize scholarships and financial aid.

If you are the parent of a high school student in grades 9-11, this is incredibly important info you will not want to miss.

The transition from high school to college can be both exciting and overwhelming — especially for students with mental health or learning challenges. As teens step into more independence, they also face new academic pressures, social changes, and the responsibility of managing their own schedules, support systems, and well-being.

Parents, educators, and students — please join us for this expert-led discussion.

Sign-up below!

Please see the ACT website below for information on ACT testing dates. All Juniors and Seniors will be invited to take the ACT at Maranatha on April 21st, 2026. We strongly encourage all juniors to take this opportunity to take the ACT this coming April on campus. More information will be coming out in the coming months.

• Deepen your commitments to your favorite community activities, seeking leadership positions as appropriate

• Meet with college admission officers when they visit MCA to learn about your college options and which campuses you would like to visit

• Meet with your college counselor in the Spring to discuss your letter of recommendation

• Ask 1-2 teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you in the Spring

• Finalize the list of colleges you will apply to

• Begin applying for scholarships and create application templates for various scholarship databases (check weekly)

• ACT Testing: April 21

Diploma Name (DUE ASAP):

• If you haven't already done so, please fill out this form so that we have your child's name printed correctly on his/her diploma: Diploma Name & Years at MCA

Cap & Gown Orders (Due December 12)

• Every graduate/family needs to place an order through Herff Jones for their graduate's cap/gown/tassel set. All orders are sent directly to MCA and handed out during a rehearsal the week of graduation. Graduates keep their caps/tassels are theirs to keep; gowns are rentals and returned after the commencement ceremony.
• Here are the ordering instructions, that include a link directly to Herff’s website: Herff Jones Online Ordering.pdf

Below is the link to the MCA Senior Page with all to-do list items for the school year.

See below regarding information to submit senior portraits for the year - Due November 1!

• Complete college applications with the help of your college counselor
• Work with your college counselor, as needed, to finalize your application essay(s) and supplemental resources
• Check early action application deadlines for your college(s) of choice

The Common App is live for students to begin submitting their college applications. Beginning Tuesday, September 2, students can stop by the CCC if they need help navigating the common application website. Mr. Jensen has a practice account that he can walk them through. Feel free to email Mr. Jensen (jacob.jensen@mcamustangs.org) with any questions or to make an appointment.

Kevin McMullin, founder of Collegewise, is taking the mic to share expert advice on what truly matters in college applications. From crafting standout essays to understanding what admissions officers value most — this session delivers clarity and actionable insights.

If you have any questions or would like additional support in the scholarship process, please don’t hesitate to connect with Mr. Jensen.

• Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
• Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks.
• Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are submitted; permanent legal resident status does not qualify.

This week in Contemporary Health, students have been learning about how to care for their bodies—through healthy choices, wise nutrition, and important safety practices.

Mr. Gilmer is loved by his students for the way he makes learning both practical and engaging. He consistently connects what they’re learning to a biblical worldview, reminding students that caring for their bodies is one way to honor God and live out their faith each day.

• November 3: NHS Induction & Reception @ 7:30PM (LW Chapel)
• November 4: Senior Chapel (Youth Space)
• November 5: College Wear Wednesday
• November 6-7: No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
• November 6: College Information & Financial Aid Night (Coffee House)
• November 10: Toy Drive Starts
• November 11: Veteran's Day Chapel
• November 13: The Hobbit @ 7PM (LW Northwest)
• November 14: The Hobbit @ 7PM (LW Northwest)
• November 15: The Hobbit @ 2PM & 7PM (LW Northwest)