Understanding Maranatha High School Tuition and Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

Maranatha High School, a co-ed private day school located in California, US, offers a comprehensive education with a focus on Christian values. Understanding the tuition structure and associated fees is crucial for families considering enrolling their children. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with attending Maranatha High School, including tuition rates, additional fees, and financial aid opportunities.

The Value of a Maranatha Education

Maranatha High School believes that education is a long-term investment in a child's future. Students spend over 15,000 hours in school from Kindergarten through 12th grade, during which time teachers, coaches, and peers contribute to shaping their values. Partnering with a school that shares a family's Christian values is considered a worthwhile investment. As parents Ryan and Sarah Briggs stated, "To see Ryan succeed and be accepted to two colleges - that’s all MCA. For parents thinking of MCA, it is worth every penny you will invest in your child in this school."

Maranatha partners with Christian parents to prepare their children for college, career, and life. Maranatha graduates embody the characteristics from their Culture in Action and are prepared to make a positive impact in their chosen career paths. In fact, 37% of seniors have a GPA of 4.0 or greater, and 83% of seniors graduate with honors. The Class of 2022 was offered $7.7 million in college scholarships.

Tuition Rates for the 2026-2027 School Year

Maranatha’s tuition is designed to give as many students as possible the chance to experience their caring community, dedicated teachers, and innovative curriculum all on a Christian campus. At the same time, they aspire to maintain smaller class sizes to enhance each student’s educational experience and relationships with peers and faculty. Since Maranatha’s tuition provides all of this, their hope is it will not hinder admittance; therefore, they work closely with applicants and returning families to enable attendance at Maranatha.

The annual tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year varies depending on the grade level:

Pre-K 2-day Option: $6,388 ($532.34 monthly)
Pre-K 3-day Option: $9,663 ($805.25 monthly)
Pre-K 5-day Option: $14,867 ($1238.92 monthly)
Lower School (Grades K-4): $13,980 ($1165 monthly)
Middle School (Grades 5-8): $15,524 ($1293.67 monthly)
High School (Grades 9-12): $16,698 ($1391.50 monthly)

These annual tuition rates can be paid in twelve monthly installments.

Additional Fees

In addition to tuition, families should be aware of several other fees:

Registration/Re-Enrollment Fee: $900. This fee is billed each year in February for the following school year.
Technology Fee: $350. This fee includes the iPad Protection Plan and is billed each year in August for the upcoming school year.
eTextbooks: $100-200. The actual cost varies based on classes taken, and the majority will be purchased by families through the online bookstore.
Optional Participation Fees: These vary by student and may include sports participation fees (generally billed after the beginning of each season), AP test fees, clubs, labs, trips, and transportation. A graduation fee is billed in January of senior year.
Uniforms: The cost of uniforms varies by student. Uniforms are available for purchase from Norman's Uniforms.

Payment Plans and Associated Fees

Maranatha High School offers several payment plan options:

Full Payment Plan: $29,200 (due in June)
2-Month Payment Plan: $14,746 (due in June & December) - includes a 1% convenience fee.
4-Month Payment Plan: $7,446 (due in June, September, December & March) - includes a 2% convenience fee.
12-Month Payment Plan: $2,482 per month (June - May) - includes a 2% convenience fee.

The monthly amount for the 12-month payment plan is based on payments beginning June 1, 2026, and ending May 1, 2027. The monthly amount will increase for late enrollments past June 1, 2026. All payments are due on the 1st of each month, with a 10-day grace period. Payments not received and posted by the 10th will incur a $50.00 late fee. Late fees will be charged if your statement balance is not paid in full each month.

An annual Blackbaud Administration Fee of $46 is due at the time of choosing a payment plan. This fee can be paid by credit/debit card or by withdrawal through a bank checking/savings account. Note that there is a usage fee for paying by credit/debit card.

Read also: Explore Haas Hall Academy

Discounts

Maranatha offers family discount rates:

5% discount for tuition on the 2nd sibling
7.5% discount on tuition for the 3rd (or more) sibling

No discount will be applied for families receiving Tuition Assistance.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Maranatha Christian Academy is committed to making Christian education accessible to Christian families with a wide range of financial circumstances. They offer a need-based financial aid program. In 2022-23, $1.7 million was offered to MCA families in financial aid.

Need-based financial aid is awarded annually, and renewal is not automatic or guaranteed as funds may vary and a family’s finances may change. Families are required to submit applications annually. Many factors determine whether or not a family will qualify for need-based aid, such as household income and expenses, assets and debt, and the number of children in a school that requires tuition.

Maranatha cannot meet 100% of the demonstrated need for each applicant, and, frequently, the number of qualified applicants exceeds their financial aid resources. Therefore, some families who apply and are qualified still may not receive financial aid. Financial aid is not available for Pre-K, Maranatha online, or International Students.

Applying for Financial Aid

To receive financial aid, families must complete and submit the online Grant & Aid Application through FACTS ($45 fee to apply). The application includes uploading several supporting documents, including:

W-2 forms
Federal income tax returns

Financial Aid applications use prior prior year tax forms. To apply for financial aid for the 2026-27 school year, use 2024 and 2025 W2 and 2024 Income tax returns only. Families must apply for aid each year - no financial aid awards exceed one school year.

The admission process and the financial aid process run parallel. Applicants must apply for admission and financial aid separately. Financial aid information is processed as applicants take the necessary steps for completing admission. It can take up to two weeks before a financial profile is sent to the Maranatha Business Office from FACTS.

Two weeks after submission of the FACTS Grant & Aid Application, FACTS reports to the Maranatha Business Office the amount of tuition that the applying family can afford to pay.

International Student Program

Maranatha's International Student Program offers its students unparalleled academics, excellent support services, challenging programming, and so much more at a price that is unmatched in the industry. Their program is carefully designed to prepare students for a successful college or university education in the United States or abroad. Tuition and fees for international students are different, and more information can be found on the Maranatha High School website. Financial aid is not available for International Students.

Key Takeaways

Maranatha High School offers a valuable educational experience rooted in Christian values. Understanding the tuition structure, fees, and financial aid options is essential for families considering enrollment. Here are some key takeaways:

Tuition varies by grade level, with payment plans available.
Additional fees include registration, technology, textbooks, and optional participation costs.
Financial aid is available for eligible families, but the application process is separate from admissions.
Maranatha High School uses Blackbaud Tuition Management for processing all tuition and fees payments.

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