High School - 4/30

Dear High School Families,

As we head into the final weeks of the school year, the calendar quickly fills with exciting events like Mental Health week (this week), Spring Splash, Experience Maranatha, and the Upper School Awards Ceremony. With so much happening, this is also an important time to stay on top of academics. I encourage families to regularly check grades in Schoology and have conversations about finishing the year strong. Throughout May, I will be reaching out regarding any students who are currently failing a class, along with the supports we have in place. We strongly encourage students to take advantage of WIN Time study halls and subject-specific support rooms, as well as after-school teacher office hours, as these resources can make a meaningful difference as we approach the end of the year.

Sarah Rothstein, Ed.D.
High School Principal

This week in the chapel, we were blessed to have our school counselors, Mrs. Andrea Shoup and Ms. Lissa Flaaten, lead us in a chapel bringing an awareness of the relationship between mental health and our walk with Jesus Christ. We worshiped together and had the pleasure of listening to one of our own students take the courage to share their testimony, a story where they had to battle with a number of mental health challenges. The student spoke about the importance of relying on Christ and having a community that supports you amidst the darkest of moments. We finished chapel with our athletic director, Mr. Drew Rongere, and a panel of students who shared how to balance the expectations of the sports environment and practice a healthy mental health lifestyle. Not only was the chapel driven by our community, but it was also a joy seeing individuals proclaim the necessity of relying on Christ.

Spring Splash is next week! Here is what we have going on:

Monday, May 4

• Anything but a Water Bottle vs Anything but a Backpack Day

Tuesday, May 5

• Dress to Impress vs. Dress to Destress
• Tag Day: Girls

Wednesday, May 6

• Whitewash Day
• Splash a Senior
• Dodgeball Tournament

Thursday, May 7

• 90s Baggy
• Tag Day: Boys

Friday, May 8

• Hawaiian Spirit Day
• Pep Fest, Staff vs Students Dodgeball

We have had an increase in students being tardy to class throughout the school day. Moving forward, the tardy policy will be as follows:

• 5 Tardies = 1 Unexcused Absence, Lunch Reflection
• 8 Tardies = Lunch Reflection
• 10 Tardies = 1 Unexcused Absence, After-School Detention
• 12 Tardies = In-School Suspension (ISS)

Tardies are recorded per class period and reset at the beginning of each semester.

Experience Maranatha is right around the corner, and we are looking forward to a great day celebrating the Arts within our school community. This is always a special opportunity to showcase the many gifts and talents of our students, and we are excited to see their hard work on display throughout the day.

A full schedule of events will be shared soon. We strongly encourage all students to remain on campus and take part in supporting their peers. It is a meaningful way to build community and celebrate the creativity that makes our school so unique.

If any high school student needs to be released early, a parent or guardian must sign out their student by filling out the dedicated Experience Maranatha Release Form, indicating their approval. Please fill this form out at least a day in advance to help streamline the process.

Any high school student approved for early release (via the above-mentioned form) must report to the weight room to connect with the designated staff member before being allowed to leave class or campus. Students who do not verify their release will not be permitted to leave the campus.

This guide explains how parents can navigate Schoology, Maranatha’s Learning Management System for grades 5–12. It outlines how to view assignments, grades, and teacher feedback, adjust notification settings, and stay informed about your child’s academic progress throughout the semester.

Women in Public Finance Minnesota Chapter Scholarship

The Minnesota Chapter of Women in Public Finance (MnWPF) has opened the application period for the scholarships it offers to women attending their undergraduate and graduate studies in the fall of 2026. These scholarships are awarded to those who identify as a woman, display strong academic performance and leadership skills, commitment to community, and a passion for entering the field of public/municipal finance or other financial services sectors. While MnWPF typically awards at least $5,000 to deserving students each year, the total amount allocated for 2026 and the amount of individual awards may vary.

Applications are due June 1, 2026!

ACT offers a variety of free preparation and engagement tools designed to help students know what to expect and feel ready on test day. These resources are linked 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.

• May 1: Seniors Mom's breakfast @ 8:15AM (Rush Creek Golf Club)
• May 16-17: Senior Class Party (see information below)
• May 18: Senior Day Away
• May 19: US Awards Ceremony @ 8:30AM (LW Sanctuary)
• May 19: Senior Chapel @ 11AM (LW Youth Space)
• May 22: Last Day of School for Seniors
• May 26-28: Commencement Rehearsals (schedule to come)
• May 29: HS Commencement @ 6PM (LW Sanctuary)

Planning for the 2026 Senior Party is underway and we are excited about the fun night in store

for the students. It will be a memorable way to celebrate and wrap up their senior year.

Senior Party: May 16-17, 2026

Please see the attachment below for more information and to sign-up!

*Please note that this is NOT an MCA-run event. Please see the flyer for contact info.

• 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. Students can stop by the CCC if they need help navigating the common application website. Feel free to email Mrs. Shoup (andrea.shoup@mcamustangs.org) with any questions or to make an appointment.

This week’s classroom highlight is Sports Exercise and Conditioning, taught by Mr. Chaz Mahle, our Assistant Athletic Director. This course provides a valuable opportunity for our student-athletes to build strength and improve performance through intentional training, while also learning about proper nutrition and effective conditioning techniques.

Beyond physical development, students are gaining a deeper understanding of how to care for their bodies, build healthy habits, and apply discipline and consistency, skills that support both athletic success and lifelong wellness.

• April 27-May 1: Mental Health Week
• May 4-8: Spring Splash Week
• May 4: AP Biology Test
• May 5: AP Chemistry Test
• May 6: AP Lit and Comp Test
• May 7: AP World History Test
• May 8: AP US History Test