School History
Maranatha Christian Academy is a school rich in tradition, excellence, and faith! Founded in 1974, by Full Faith Church of Love, Maranatha set out with the vision to train and equip students to grow spiritually, become men and women of character, and to excel academically, impacting the world for Christ. Beginning in 1996, Maranatha Christian Academy (MCA) embraced “Character, Wisdom, Service” as its educational philosophy. These principles are lived out in the classroom, the fine arts, on the sports field, in thousands of hours of community service, and in yearly mission opportunities. Today, Maranatha Christian Academy is an independent, non-denominational, dually accredited, college-preparatory, K-12, Christian school in western Shawnee, comprised of families from over 60 churches.
Maranatha Practices Excellence
Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and Cognia, the school has produced multiple award-winning teachers and several KSHSAA Coach of the Year recipients. MCA student excellence is reflected in its multiple Merit Scholars, numerous military academy appointments, graduates studying at prestigious universities, ACT scores in the top seven percent of Kansas students, taking rigorous dual credit courses, state championships in soccer, track, cross country, music, and Scholar Bowl, and first place in the Kansas University robotics competition. Maranatha holds the Guinness Marching Band World Record of fifty-two miles. Additionally, MCA’s multiple band, choir, and history trips to Washington, D.C., New York, Philadelphia, and a host of other exciting destinations, broadens our students’ learning experience and produces excellence.
Maranatha Cultivates a Heart for Kingdom Living
This cultivation includes ACSI accreditation for faculty, annual Christian educator conferences, membership and activities through the Great Plains Alliance of Christian Schools (GPACS) and Renewanation, thorough Christian worldview professional development, and staff prayer and devotional times. Students are challenged to live out their faith through weekly chapels, daily school-wide devotions, Bible classes, student to student discipleship programs, Biblical integration in each subject area, missions, community service, Biblical mentoring programs, and annual Christian student conferences. Faith matters at MCA!
To the Present
The school has grown over the years in enrollment, programs, courses, drama, social events, fine arts, merit-based college scholarships, clubs, and service. In 2022, Maranatha fulfilled a long-time goal of having our own campus, K-12, where the entire school could be together and we could have our own school facilities. The Lord has abundantly answered our prayers and through the generosity of many, lots of hard work, and miracles from the Lord, we are now on our new, 28-acre campus at 7055 Silverheel Street in western Shawnee. We are blessed to have state of the art technology throughout the campus and athletic facilities that are amazing. Our athletic complex with a pro-turf field, 8-lane track, field lights, and bleachers, complement our double gym, locker rooms, and weight room. It’s an amazing place to learn and grow!
Almost five decades ago, the founders named the school “Maranatha,” meaning “Come Lord Jesus.” Today, we invite you to enroll your child at MCA, a place to develop excellence, character, and a heart that cries, “Maranatha.” Join the tradition, become an Eagle.
