Maranatha High School Admissions Consulting
Expert Guidance for Families Applying to This Christian College-Preparatory School in Pasadena, CA
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
About Maranatha High School
Maranatha High School is a private, non-denominational evangelical Christian day school in Pasadena, founded in 1965 and marking its 60th anniversary in 2025. The school has served the San Gabriel Valley as a university-preparatory community for six decades, acquiring its permanent Pasadena campus in 2004. Maranatha’s mission is to champion “a Christ-centered, university preparatory education to equip the whole student through academics, arts, athletics, and service for the glory of God.” With 524 students, 24 AP courses, and dual accreditation from WASC and ACSI, Maranatha pairs college-preparatory rigor with a distinctly faith-centered community.
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
Average Class Size
20–21 students
Student-Teacher Ratio
11:1
Application Opens
September 1, 2026 (for the 2027–28 school year)
Accreditation
Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Academic Snapshot
AP Courses Offered
24
Honors Courses Offered
14
AP Pass Rate
82% average; Class of 2025: 73% scored 3+, 47% scored 4+, 18% scored a 5, 100 perfect AP exam scores, 57 AP Scholars
Faculty Holding Advanced Degrees
61% hold a Master’s degree
Niche Overall Rating
A+
Athletics & Beyond the Classroom
Athletics
12 sports across 17 teams: Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Diving, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball, part of a broader extracurricular program
Beyond the Classroom
Winter Term, a collegiate-style mini-semester offering roughly 90 unique courses each year, and the Oliver Honors Institute, an interdisciplinary Humanities and Theology honors track
Curious how this applies specifically to Asian American applicants? See our guide to Maranatha High School for Asian American families.
Admissions Timeline & Events
2027–28 Application Available Online
September 1, 2026
8th Grade Visitation Day
October 15, 2026
Admissions Fall Open House
November 7, 2026, 9:00 am (tours 10:30 am, BBQ 12:00 pm)
Early Admissions Deadline
December 1, 2026 (notifications December 11, 2026)
Winter Open House
January 13, 2027, 5:30 pm
Regular Admissions Deadline
February 1, 2027 (notifications March 5, 2027)
What Makes Maranatha’s Admissions Process Unique?
Maranatha’s current official admissions criteria do not require a standardized entrance exam, a step further than schools that are merely test-optional: no ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT. Instead, the school evaluates applicants on GPA, character, faith, and four separate reference forms, an unusually broad recommendation requirement that includes not just an English and a Math teacher but also a School Administrator and a Pastor or Mentor, reflecting Maranatha’s Christian identity. A required Parent & Student Interview comes last, only after every other piece of the application is complete.
Top Tips for Applying to Maranatha High School
- Since there’s no entrance exam, invest your preparation time in the four reference forms and the final interview instead.
- Line up your Pastor or Mentor reference early; it’s a required form many families don’t expect.
- Submit all other checklist items before scheduling the Parent & Student Interview, since it’s the final step.
Best Practices for Families Applying to Maranatha High School
- Attend the Admissions Fall Open House or 8th Grade Visitation Day before applying.
- Apply by the Early Admissions deadline (December 1) if Maranatha is a top choice; Regular Admissions runs through February 1.
- If your child may benefit from the Learning Assistance Program, plan ahead for the required psycho-educational assessment.
What the Maranatha Application Requires
To apply to Maranatha High School, you will need to submit the following:
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01Testing Policy
Maranatha does not require standardized entrance exams like the ISEE or SSAT for general applicants. The only exception is the Learning Assistance Program (LAP), which requires specialized testing. For the LAP, families must submit psycho-educational assessments completed within the last three years.
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02Recommendations
The application requires four specific reference forms to get to know your student better. You will need to secure references from a School Administrator, a Math teacher, and an English teacher. A fourth reference from a Pastor or trusted Mentor is also required to reflect the school’s values.
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03Transcripts
Prospective 9th grade students must submit official transcripts from both semesters of 7th grade. Transfer students should provide a complete transcript history for every high school year finished. These records help the admissions team understand your student’s full academic progression and history.
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04Parent & Student Interview
This interview is a mandatory 30-minute conversation that takes place as the final application step. At least one parent must join the student for the meeting once all other items are submitted. It is an essential opportunity for the school to connect personally with your family.
“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 Cardinal Education Helps Maranatha High School Applicants
Because Maranatha doesn’t test, the four reference forms and the concluding Parent & Student Interview carry real weight in how the admissions team gets to know an applicant. Cardinal Education’s private school admissions consulting helps families choose the right recommenders, including the Pastor or Mentor reference many families haven’t prepared for, complete a strong private school application, and walk into the interview with genuine confidence.
Families evaluating Maranatha alongside other Southern California options may also find our results and guidance on what schools look for in applicants useful context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maranatha High School require the ISEE or SSAT?
What recommendation forms does Maranatha require?
Is an interview required to apply to Maranatha High School?
What is the difference between Maranatha’s Early and Regular Admissions deadlines?
What is Maranatha High School’s Niche rating?
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