Maranatha High School Admissions for Asian American Families
What Asian American Families Should Know Before Applying to This Pasadena, CA Christian College-Prep School
Cardinal Education is an independent educational consulting company. We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with any private or public school, including Maranatha High School.
As Seen On
About the School
Maranatha High School and Asian American Applicants
Asian American and AAPI students make up 32% of Maranatha High School’s student body, the single largest identifiable group on campus, according to the school’s own reported demographics. Maranatha is a non-denominational evangelical Christian day school in Pasadena, founded in 1965, and families outside a Christian background often want to understand how that religious identity plays out day to day. Maranatha’s answer is a genuinely integrated one: Theology is a required course every year, chapel is part of the weekly rhythm, and a Pastor or Mentor reference is one of four required parts of the admissions file. With 24 AP courses, dual WASC/ACSI accreditation, and an A+ Niche rating, Maranatha pairs academic rigor with that faith-centered identity.
Fast Facts
Location
169 South Saint John Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105
Type
Private, Christian (Non-Denominational, Evangelical), Co-Ed Day School
Grades
9–12
Total Enrollment
524 students
Asian American/AAPI Enrollment
32% of the student body
Average Class Size
20–21 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Application Opens
September 1, 2026 (for the 2027–28 school year)
Accreditation
WASC and ACSI
Academics at a Glance
AP Courses Offered
24
Honors Courses Offered
14
AP Pass Rate
82% average; Class of 2025: 73% scored 3+, 47% scored 4+
Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees
61% hold a Master’s degree
Niche Overall Rating
A+
Athletics
Athletics
12 sports across 17 teams. This is part of a broader extracurricular program that also includes distinctive academic offerings like Winter Term (a collegiate-style mini-semester with roughly 90 unique courses each year) and the Oliver Honors Institute (an interdisciplinary Humanities and Theology honors track)
For a full walkthrough of Maranatha’s admissions process and student life, see our Maranatha High School Profile.
Key Application Dates
2027–28 Application Available Online
September 1, 2026
Admissions Fall Open House
November 7, 2026
Early Admissions Deadline
December 1, 2026 (notifications December 11, 2026)
Winter Open House
January 13, 2027
Regular Admissions Deadline
February 1, 2027 (notifications March 5, 2027)
Why Maranatha’s Faith-Centered Process Rewards Different Preparation
Families new to a faith-based admissions process sometimes focus entirely on academics and miss the parts of the file that carry real weight at a school like Maranatha: a Pastor or Mentor reference, a School Administrator reference, and a required Parent & Student Interview that comes only after every other item is complete. There’s no standardized test to prepare for. This is a step further than schools that are merely test-optional, so the reference forms and interview deserve the bulk of a family’s attention.
Top Tips for Applying
- Line up a Pastor or Mentor reference early; it’s a required form many families don’t expect from a college-prep school.
- Since there’s no entrance exam, focus preparation on the reference forms and the concluding interview.
- Apply by the Early Admissions deadline (December 1) if Maranatha is a top choice.
Best Practices for Families
- Attend the Admissions Fall Open House or 8th Grade Visitation Day to understand campus culture firsthand.
- Ask directly about how Maranatha’s Christian identity and academic rigor coexist day to day.
- Prepare thoughtfully for the required Parent & Student Interview, since it’s the final and decisive step.
What the Application Involves
To apply to Maranatha High School, you will need to submit the following:
-
01Testing Policy
Most students do not need to take an entrance exam like the ISEE or SSAT to apply. The only exception is for those applying to the Learning Assistance Program (LAP), who must provide recent specialist testing results.
-
02Recommendations
You must submit four specific reference letters. These should come from a School Administrator, your Math teacher, your English teacher, and a Pastor or Mentor who knows your family well.
-
03Transcripts
Students entering 9th grade need to provide their full 7th-grade transcripts. If you are applying as a transfer student, you must submit official records for every year of high school you have already completed.
-
04Parent & Student Interview
The final step is a mandatory 30-minute interview. Once all other application materials are in, the student and at least one parent will meet with the school to discuss their interest and fit.
“Allen helped us go through the Maranatha application with care. The other consultants also understood exactly what the school was looking for and helped our daughter present her best self throughout the process. We couldn’t be more grateful for their guidance in getting her into a place that feels like such a great fit.”— A Parent From Maranatha High School
How We Help Asian American Families Get Into Maranatha
Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps Asian American families prepare for Maranatha’s specific reference requirements and final interview, complete a strong private school application, and avoid defaulting to generic test prep the school’s process doesn’t call for.
For the full picture of Maranatha’s academics, admissions timeline, and requirements, see our main Maranatha High School Admissions Consulting page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Maranatha students are Asian American?
Does Maranatha’s Christian identity affect non-Christian applicants?
Does Maranatha High School require the ISEE or SSAT?
What recommendation forms does Maranatha require?
Is an interview required to apply to Maranatha?
Considering Maranatha High School?
Our consultants help families navigate private school admissions with clarity and confidence.