MCA Annual Report 2017-2018

2017–
2018
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
ANNUAL REPORT

CONTENTS
MISSION STATEMENT
Maranatha Christian Academy exists to provide students
an academically rigorous college-preparatory education in
a distinctly Christian environment of high values, character
development, and exceptional student culture.
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FROM THE
BUSINESS OFFICE
REVENUES &
EXPENSES
DEMOGRAPHICS
ACHIEVEMENTS
OVERVIEW
ACHIEVEMENTS
OVERVIEW CONT.
ACHIEVEMENTS
OVERVIEW CONT.
DEVELOPMENT
UPDATE
ANNUAL FUND
& FUNDRAISER
REPORT
SPECIAL EVENTS
& FUNDRAISERS
VISION STATEMENT
By 2021, MCA will excel as a national recognized leader in 21st
century Christian, college-preparatory education, preparing
students to live their faith and thrive in a changing world.
CORE VALUES
Maranatha Christian Academy fulfills its mission through purposing to:
• Assist in the development of the “whole” person—spirit, soul, and body—in each of
our students.
• Assist each student in establishing a real and unshakable relationship with Jesus Christ
by (1) presenting the Gospel, (2) training them to use the Word of God with authority,
(3) and promoting the development of a truly biblical worldview and value system.
• Produce students who are academically qualified: well-educated, self-directed, and
lifelong learners.
• Act as an extension of the home and church by instilling Christian values and thus,
together, equip the next generation to live godly lives in an increasingly ungodly world.
• Train young people to be positive role models and influential leaders who will carry
out the “Great Commission.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
• Lead students by way of example and instruction into a lifestyle that places the
needs of others above their own needs and wants.
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Academics. Faith. Excellence.

A MESSAGE FROM BRIAN
Dear Parent and Friend of MCA,
Maranatha Christian Academy turned 40 this year, and that’s
a significant milestone. Benjamin Franklin commented on
the passage of time by saying, “At twenty years of age the
will reigns; at thirty, the wit; and at forty, the judgment.” I like
Franklin’s assessment in that MCA is still young enough to
take on new challenges while having maturity and a strong
foundation of faith.
I am privileged to share this Annual Report that attests to the
school’s excellence in educational programming, healthy
and dynamic student culture, strong admissions demand
and low attrition rates, responsible financial stewardship,
engaging faith formation, and unprecedented recruitment
by select post-secondary institutions of our graduates.
Certainly, this is a testament to God’s favor on Maranatha,
our talented staff, amazing students, and you, our parents.
In the language of our vision statement, we said our intent
is to “prepare students to live their faith and thrive in a
changing world.” We live in a time when technology is
advancing at a blistering pace, creating new possibilities
for individuals and organizations that we could hardly have
imagined 40 years ago. The global, political, and economic
environment is also shifting faster than ever. It is very clear
that innovation will be a defining trait, perhaps the defining
trait, of organizations that thrive over the next few, let alone
40, years. As MCA pursues our God-inspired Strategic Plan,
“Maranatha 2021,” there are four priorities:
• Advance our Mission
• Create Strong Connections and Community
• Be Fiscally Prudent to Ensure Viability
• Create a Culture of Institutional Flexibility
Achieving this goal does not mean that mastery of core
academic content takes a back seat. Rather, it is enhanced
through meaningful, engaging, and applicable work. Long
gone are the days when school was simply a place to get
information. That same information today is available 24/7 in
the palm of your hand. The school of the future, Maranatha
Christian Academy, will give students the academic content
and the tools to imagine, synthesize, research, collaborate,
invent, create, solve complex problems, and facilitate change.
Maranatha will send young adults into the world ready to
embrace a changing world while fulfilling God’s call on them
to be change-makers themselves. This is our calling, this is our
high purpose and our legacy: to equip a generation of leaders
to go into the world and change it for Him.
When I reflect on what God has done over the past 40 years, I
am thrilled with the limitless possibilities for the next 40. Thank
you for valuing the Maranatha experience for your children. I
am truly humbled by the opportunity to serve your family and
partner with you, as parents, to see this achieved in the lives of
our students.
Your brother in Him,
By design, we use the phrase “institutional flexibility” as a
mechanism to facilitate, advance, and celebrate innovation.
Brian Sullivan
Head of School
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I am please to report a positive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018. As you
recall, we repositioned in the previous year and reported a loss. Our endeavors have been
successful and with additional revenue from auxiliary programs, fundraisers, and the Annual
Fund, we were able to report a positive outcome in 2017-2018 school year.
As a reminder, MCA’s financials are part of and reported in the LWCC’s annual audit. Copies of
the LWCC annual report can be obtained in the alcoves of LW beginning March of 2019.
We thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. Your partnership in these two
avenues allows us to fulfill our mission, core values, and provide a quality, Christ-centered, 21st
century education for your students.
Serving Him Together,
FROM THE
BUSINESS OFFICE
John Szwaja
Director of Finance & Operations
REVENUES
Dollar Amount
Tuition and Fees $6,555,270*
Gifts and Fundraising $436,935
Services $662,727**
Total Revenue $7,654,932
Key
EXPENSES
Dollar Amount
Payroll and Benefits $3,948,309
Operating Expenses $1,664,197***
Financial Aid + Discounts $1,958,861
Total Expenses $7,571,367
Key
Net Revenue $83,565
Because Maranatha Christian Academy is a department of
and supported by Living Word Christian Center, this Profit
& Loss Statement does not recognize any occupancy costs
of our facilities such as rent, utilities, repairs, insurance, and
other related costs. These expenses are all paid directly and
are reported by Living Word Christian Center.
*Including International Students
**Food Service, Transportation, X-Tended Care, Athletics and Activities, Class Fees
***Curriculum, Building Upgrades, Technology, Operations
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DEMOGRAPHICS
AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF THE TOP 8 CITIES
REPRESENTED AT MCA:
City Enrollment Average Income
Brooklyn Park 28% $62,974
Maple Grove 20% $92,680
Plymouth 6% $85,418
Champlin 5% $83,851
Blaine 4% $76,027
Minneapolis 4% $51,480
New Hope 3% $50,165
Elk River 3% $77,938
CULTURAL DIVERSITY:
Enrollment by ethnicity
*Hispanic/Latino
*Asian
(Including India)
*Multi-Racial
2.6%
7.9%
9.9%
These statistics represent 72% of our school constituency with an average income of $70,343.
Taken from the Census Bureau “Median Household Income” http://factfinder.census.gov/
2014 American Community Survey.
*Black/
African-American
19.3%
FAMILY DYNAMICS:
(432 MCA FAMILIES)
# of Students Enrollment
One student 58.5%
Two students 27%
Three students 11.3%
Four students 2.5%
Five or six students .5%
16.6% of MCA families are single-parent households.
Of these single-parent households, 28.7% have two
or more students enrolled at MCA.
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White/
Caucasian
59.8%
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:
Living Word Christian Center
49%
105 other churches represented
51%
*Students of color
represent 40.2% of our
school population.
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ACHIEVEMENTS
ROBOTICS TEAMS: The Mustang Gear Gang, in only their third
year, won the State Tournament and advanced to the Regional
competition, where they competed with teams from nine other
states for a chance to move on to the National competition.
Thank you to Metro Mold & Design for sponsoring the team.
LOWER SCHOOL CODING: Lower school students as young as
Grade 1 learned computer coding. In addition, our kindergarten
classes used basic programming skills working with their BeeBots.
Creating algorithms and thinking analytically is just one way the
Academy vertically aligns its curriculum from Pre-K to Grade 12.
LSS SPACE: A growing
department at MCA has been
our Learning Support Services
LSS). To accommodate the
needs of our families, the
Academy dedicated a space for
LSS and its students complete
with a whiteboard wall, flexible
furniture, and more.
EXCELLENT EDUCATOR: Two staff members were recognized as
WCCO Excellent Educators. Head of School, Brian Sullivan, and
Physical Education Teacher, Bill Campbell were both surprised
by reporter Kim Johnson and presented with their
certificate. Both staff members were the
feature of a news story as well.
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NEW ADMISSIONS SPACE: Due to the tremendous growth MCA has
been experiencing, a new Admissions space became a necessity.
With a beautiful conference area and welcoming office space, the new
Admissions space is a wonderful way to greet new families.
EXPERIENCE MARANATHA:
In one day, over 1200 guests, including
grandparents, parents, and friends ascended
on the Academy for first-ever Experience Maranatha
day. The day included visual art displays, concerts, food
trucks, plays, and more. It was a great event that allowed
everyone the chance to “Experience Maranatha.”

FPO
ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE ON
CAMPUS: The Class of 2018 was the
first class to be able to earn a degree from
the University of Northwestern–St. Paul in
addition to their high school diploma! 21
students earned their degree while taking
all the classes on Maranatha’s campus.
BEYOND IMPACT
ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
OF EXCELLENCE: Encouraging
collaboration, communication, creativity,
and critical thinking, the new Beyond
Impact Entrepreneurship Center hosts a
curriculum that has, yet again, changed
the way learning happens at the
Academy.
OUTREACH AND SERVICE HOURS: OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE: The
A part of “doing school” at MCA is serving new Outdoor Learning Space (OLS)
others. During the 2017-2018 school year, allows the school to “expand the walls
students donated 35,290 hours of their of the classroom.” The OLS is an inquirybased,
time in service.
hands-on, experiential learning
classroom that has a garden, green
house, compost station, and rain barrels
where students learn by doing. It is a
ACT ONE SCHOLARSHIPS: Two great addition to the lower school.
students were blessed to receive the Act
One scholarship, which covers full tuition
to a certified institution. Isaiah Hobus used
his award to attend Bethel University and
Lawrence Reed is now a student at the
University of Northwestern-St. Paul.
SHARK TANK COMPETITION:
As part of the Entrepreneurship program,
students participate in a Shark Tank
competition where student developed
a business idea into an actual plan and
then presented it to a group of local
business people from companies such
as Wells Fargo, Accenture, and others,
affectionately known as Sharks (modeled
after the popular TV show of the same
name). The final competition was hosted
by the University of Minnesota’s Carlson
School of Management.
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ACHIEVEMENTS
POINTS AND PASSING ON THE BASKETBALL COURT:
The 2017-2018 basketball season was a milestone season
for three seniors. Jaclyn Jarnot scored her 2000th point as
a Mustang and became the career rebound leader for the
girls’ basketball program. Kylie Post reached the 1000-point
mark in as a Lady Mustang, and Beijan Newborn tallied his
1000th point in his high school basketball career.
9 TIMES TO STATE FOR GIRLS’ HOOPS: The girls’ basketball team
moved up a class from Class A to AA. Even so, the Lady Mustangs earned
an appearance in the State Tournament for the ninth straight year.
WRESTLING WITH STATE: As a junior, Taylor Meissner, qualified for
the State Tournament in wrestling as a part of the Osseo High School
team. MCA is a part of a co-op with Osseo.
HONOR CHOIR: Jonathan Geransenkov (Grade 6), Eli
Rannow (Grade 5), NathaLee Wold (Grade 4), and Ilerioluwa
Alabi (Grade 4) were honored to be chosen from over 1,000
auditions state-wide to participate in the American Choral
Director’s Association Boys’ and Girls’ Honor Choirs.
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ISP CENTER FOR A GROWING
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM: With
a growing International Program,
students from China, Spain, South
Korea, and Vietnam were given a space
of their own in the ISP Center to make
room for the world to come to MCA.
RECORD SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS
EARNED: A graduating class of
47, earned over $5.6 million dollars
in scholarships to post-secondary
education institutions.
STUDENT HONORED IN MAPLE
GROVE MAGAZINE: Senior Isaiah
Hobus was featured in the Maple
Grove Magazine as one of a select few
seniors to watch in their annual issue.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE – STAR
STUDENT AWARDS: Jayzryn Thompson,
Ally Rohwer, Abigale Rouro, Isaiah
Hobus, Sami Ajibola, Cassidy Bianchi-
Rossi, Majesty Phillips, Lily Fabienke all
received the Brooklyn Park Chamber
of Commerce Star Student Awards.

VOLLEYBALL–2000 ASSISTS: Abby Harker, Class of
2019, reached the milestone of 2000 assist in her Mustang
volleyball career.
GOLFERS REPEAT STATE: Golfer Riley Grow made his
third straight appearance in the State Tournament, while
Zach Braasch appeared in his second straight tournament.
SPRINTING TO STATE: Three student-athletes qualified for the
State Tournament as members of the Providence track team (a co-op
with MCA). Desiree Ware made her second straight appearance in the
4x200 relay. Christian Davis qualified for two events: the open 400
meter and the 4x200 relay. Travaris Ricks-Wesseh competed in the
110 meter hurdles.
SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETES: Three student-athletes were offered
scholarships to continue their athletic careers in college and one
was invited to a Division I university as a walk-on* athlete.
• Kylie Post: University of Minnesota-Crookston
• Beijan Newborn: Montana State University
• Jaclyn Jarnot: University of North Dakota
• Quinn Smith: Grand Canyon University*
SUMMER READING BEST AGAIN:
The summer of 2017 marked the
second year in a row MCA has
been Scholastic’s #1 school
in its Summer Reading
Challenge.
ATHENA AWARD: Jayzryn Thompson was recognized
as an Athena Award winner, given to females that have displayed
excellence as student-athletes, involvement in extracurricular
activities, and high academic standing.
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It is with a grateful and humble heart the I am reporting a successful 2017-2018 year in
the Development Office. The Annual Fund (now known as the MCA Fund) is essentially
a collection of gifts and contributions from Maranatha families, alumni, and friends of the
Academy. This past year we were blessed to have received $323,766. These funds were
directed to help fulfill the strategic plan and vision of the Maranatha.
In addition, our Meals for Minneapolis Outreach & Fundraiser brought in $71,565 in
donations, while the Maranatha Mustang Golf Classic netted close to $15,000. These
fundraisers add to the overall amount of non-tuition revenue generated.
Thank you for your support. We believe the strong culture of giving will continue to thrive.
DEVELOPMENT
UPDATE
Serving Him together,
Corey Bianchi-Rossi
Director of Advancement
ANNUAL FUND &
FUNDRAISERS REPORT
ANNUAL FUND EVENTS Gross Revenues Net Revenues
2017–18 Annual Fund Contributions $323,766 $316,158
What’s the Difference?
We have had people ask about
the difference between the Annual
Fund and our other fundraisers.
The Annual Fund serves primarily
as in-reach; it is where our school
community donates. Fundraisers are
a means for us to reach out beyond
our school community and garner
necessary and valuable support.
FUNDRAISER EVENTS Gross Revenues Net Revenues
2017 Mustang Golf Classic $41,604 $14,702
2017 Meals for Minneapolis $71,565 $57,171
Total Fundraisers $113,169 $71,873
Total Annual Fund/Fundraisers $436,935 $388,031
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FUNDRAISERS
MARANATHA MUSTANG GOLF CLASSIC
The 2017 Mustang Classic was the 15th one of its kind. Though the weather did not
cooperate, our golfers had a wonderful time at Rush Creek Golf Club. The tournament,
netted close to $15,000 for the Academy. We would like to extend a thank you to our
sponsors of the 2017 MMGC:
North Oaks Financial Services
Minnesota Orthodontics
Monson & Larson Real Estate Group
Town & Country Carpet and Floor Coverings
Wallace Carlson Printing
LIfeTouch National School Studios, Inc.
Loffler
DDM Construction, Inc.
First Minnesota Bank
Goldschmidt Realty Team
Revolution Chiropractic
Tyther Contracting
2017–2018 Fundraisers
MCA strives to use creative
and non-intrusive ways to raise
additional revenue, which is
necessary for the Academy to
insure excellence and continual
improvement. We aim to strike
a balance of raising funds,
yet limit the burden we place
on our families. Here are the
various ways we raise much
needed funds.
MEALS FOR MINNEAPOLIS
The 2017 Meals for Minneapolis was a landmark year for the event. Students came
together and packed 30,000 meals that were delivered to local food shelves. In addition
to this powerful outreach, MCA Families helped to raise over $71,000 for the Academy.
We would like to thank our Title Sponsor, Mike Matheson and the Financial Dimensions
Group for their support.
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Gala
2019 Maranatha
APRIL 11
save the date
LIVE ONLINE AUCTION
–Optional Ticketed Dinner
–Vision Presentation
Check your inbox for more details!
Questions? Contact Corey Bianchi-Rossi at 763.488.7922
MARANATHA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
9201 75TH AVE. NORTH, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55428
PHONE: 763-488-7900
FAX: 763-315-7294
EMAIL: info@mca.lwcc.org
WEBSITE: mcamustangs.org
FACEBOOK: fb.com/maranathachristianacademy
TWITTER: @MCAMustangs