How to Get Into Maranatha High School: The Best Admissions Guide for Elite Families

Everything Families Need to Know About Applying to This Christian College-Preparatory School in Pasadena, CA.

Quick Answer for Busy Parents

Maranatha High School is a selective, non-denominational Christian college-preparatory day school in Pasadena, serving 524 students with an A+ Niche rating. Admission does not require a standardized test; instead, it’s built around four reference forms (School Administrator, Math Teacher, English Teacher, and Pastor or Mentor) and a required Parent & Student Interview. Applications for the 2027-28 school year open September 1, 2026, with an Early Admissions deadline of December 1, 2026, and a Regular Admissions deadline of February 1, 2027.

Why Do Families Choose Maranatha High School?

Founded in 1965 and now marking 60 years of serving the San Gabriel Valley, Maranatha High School is currently led by Dr. Matthew Ketterling. The school’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.” Maranatha holds dual accreditation from the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and families are drawn to its combination of academic rigor (24 AP courses, an 82% average AP pass rate) with a genuinely faith-centered daily culture.

Independent verification supports the school’s reputation: Niche.com currently rates Maranatha an overall A+, with 93% of graduates reported to continue on to a four-year college, an average reported GPA of 3.69, and average reported SAT/ACT scores of 1320 and 31.

Maranatha High School at a Glance

How Hard Is It to Get Into Maranatha High School?

Maranatha does not publish an official acceptance rate. What’s verifiable is that the school draws from more than 70 different middle schools and over 160 church backgrounds, and evaluates applicants on GPA, character, faith, and four reference forms rather than a standardized test score. Families researching other selective Christian and college-preparatory schools in the greater Los Angeles area may also consider Southern California options through Cardinal’s broader private school admissions consulting practice.

Top Tips for Applying

• Line up your Pastor or Mentor reference early; it’s a required form many families don’t expect.
• Since there’s no entrance exam, invest your preparation time in the four reference forms and the final 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 before applying.
• Submit every checklist item before scheduling the Parent & Student Interview, since it’s the final step.
• If applying for the Learning Assistance Program, plan ahead for the required psycho-educational assessment.

Maranatha High School Admission Process

1. Submit an online Inquiry Form; an automated reply directs you to create a myMHS account within 24 hours.
2. Complete the online application, with both parent(s) and applicant answering questions.
3. Submit four Reference Forms: School Administrator, Math Teacher, English Teacher, and Pastor or Mentor.
4. Upload official 7th and 8th grade transcripts (or full high school transcripts for transfer students).
5. Upload the student’s current report card, birth certificate or passport, and immunization records.
6. Schedule the required Parent & Student Interview once every other item is complete.

For general guidance on assembling a strong private school application, see our full application walkthrough.

Admissions Calendar & Key Dates

See our guide to private school open houses and tours for how to make the most of the Fall Open House or 8th Grade Visitation Day.

Application Requirements

Testing Policy

No standardized entrance exam (ISEE, SSAT, or HSPT) is part of Maranatha’s official admissions criteria. The exception is the Learning Assistance Program (LAP): applicants to LAP submit psycho-educational assessment testing (academic and psychological, completed within the last 3 years).

Reference Forms

Four are required: School Administrator, Math Teacher, English Teacher, and Pastor or Mentor, an unusually broad recommendation requirement that reflects Maranatha’s Christian identity.

Teacher recommendations are essential because they provide schools with a professional, unbiased look at your child’s character and academic habits. To ensure these recommendations are effective, it is highly recommended to build and maintain positive, active relationships with your child’s current teachers and school staff. By doing this, you help teachers provide the detailed, authentic insights that schools value most during the admissions process.

Transcripts & Records

Incoming 9th graders submit 7th grade transcripts (both semesters); transfer students submit all completed high school transcripts through their last completed year. Applicants also upload a current report card, age verification (birth certificate or passport), and immunization records.

School transcripts show how well your child can handle challenging coursework, so they are key to the admissions process. If your child’s grades need improvement, an admissions consultant can help strengthen their overall profile with a more well-rounded strategy. We offer tutoring and academic coaching to help students not just boost their GPA, but also build important life skills.

Parent & Student Interview

A required interview of about 30 minutes, with at least one parent attending, scheduled as the final step once every other application item is complete.

Admissions interviews can be nerve-wracking, so it’s helpful to get professional guidance to feel fully prepared. Our experienced consultants can walk your child through common questions and help them share their story honestly and effectively. This practice builds the confidence needed to handle the interview process smoothly and successfully.

Essays

There is no separate student essay requirement; the parent component is completed within the online application form itself.

Ready to Build Your Child’s Maranatha Application Strategy?

Our consultants help families choose the right recommenders and prepare for the concluding interview.

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Student Life at Maranatha

Academics

Maranatha’s curriculum spans English, Theology, Mathematics, Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Visual/Performing Arts, and Foreign Language (French, Spanish, ASL), alongside 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 approved for UC English elective credit. See Winter Term at Maranatha High School: A Collegiate-Style Mini-Semester and Inside the Oliver Honors Institute at Maranatha High School for a closer look at each.

Athletics

Maranatha’s athletics program fields 12 sports across 17 teams: Baseball, Basketball, Cheer, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming & Dive, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball, part of a broader extracurricular program.

Learning Support

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) serves as Maranatha’s hub for everyday academic support, open to all students. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) provides more structured support for students with documented learning differences, requiring current psycho-educational assessment documentation as part of its own application track.

College Outcomes

Maranatha reports that recent graduates have been accepted to a wide range of four-year colleges and universities, including Yale, MIT, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, Westmont, USC, Seattle Pacific, Wheaton, Harvey Mudd, Point Loma, West Point, and NYU, among schools our students have been accepted to. Third-party reporting on Niche.com lists a 93% four-year college continuation rate.

“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

Apply to Maranatha with Top Admissions Consultants in LA

Maranatha’s process rewards families who take its faith-centered evaluation seriously: four thoughtful reference forms, complete records, and a genuine final interview. Cardinal Education helps families build results-driven strategies for each stage of that process, informed by what schools look for in applicants.

Considering Maranatha High School?

Our consultants help families navigate Maranatha’s admissions process with clarity and confidence.

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Related Articles:
Inside the Oliver Honors Institute at Maranatha High School
Winter Term at Maranatha High School: A Collegiate-Style Mini-Semester

Frequently Asked Questions