Maranatha High School in Burbank, California

“Maranatha teaches religion but little else. Everything from science to history is taught not with facts but through a very conservative Christian prisim. I graduated three ago and found I had to relearn a lot of what other kids came to my college with from their high schools. I found the teachers did not have a lot of expierence. I got a lot of misinformation. The only reason most kids go here is because their parents are Evangelical Christians and being taught everything with a Christian perspective is more important than facts. I would never send my kids here and I really sorry I wasted three years here.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Even though I graduated from MHS, I would never send my kids to this institution. For a school that costs as much money as other top college prep schools in the area, Maranatha fails miserably when it comes to academics. With inexperienced teachers, most of whom are straight out of college, and limited course offerings, few students end up at top ranked colleges or are accepted into a UC campus. If this is a concern for you, as it is for me, I recommend sending your son or daughter to a different school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Maranatha is a good christian high school, my daughter is very happy there, she has a wonderful christian education and many good friends. This is her second years in this school, she is an hornor and AP student, she is not a B or C student to get into this program, she has all A's since she was at First Lutheran Elementary and Middle school, Maranatha is a high performane high school in academics and sports.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am not only a maranatha parent, but I also graduated with many family members. I know first hand that I would not be who I am today without the love and support of this amazing school! We moved our family just so my boys could attend. I asked my senior if MHS has been what he had hoped for and he said its been much more! My other son is also having a great experience! MHS is like being apart of a loving christian family and I feel very saddened to hear that someone felt like an outsider. I know that once you come meet the staff and the many happy families you will find your home! MHS has many areas for students to become involved and I think that is a key point . I have built lifelong friendships with very special people and I feel very blessed! Thanks”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My husband and I are dissapointed in what has become of this school. Our oldest daughter graduated 4 years ago and had a great experience but our second daughter, now a junior has not found this school challenging at all. She was frustrated when students with C's were accepted into honors classes and she, always being a straight-A student, recieved an appreciated but very small amount of financial help for what she deserves. This year she will begin at La Salle High School but we are sad that in order for her to recieve a wholesome education and an integration of religious values, she mush change schools. Our son, entering 7th grade, will not apply to Maranatha.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It stunned me to see the negative reviews hee; it makes me wonder if those of who must use the private schools focus less on websites such as this one and more on personal experience and word of mouth. Maranatha is beyond stellar.The caring of the staff has been unspeakably wonderful to my child and our family in the storm of being a teenager.One visit to this campus and the truth will display itself.We could not be happier with a school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“The school is a joke and has lost touch with its roots and is weak academically.....I know several 'b & c' eighth grade students who ended up in all 'honors' classes. This is not the same school it was when it was in Sierra Madre or Arcadia. But in todays superficial world of constant keeping up with or 'one upping' the neighbors it serves as a status symbol irregardless of the quality of the education it provides”
This review was posted by a parent.

“It is truly a sad process to report when a school looses it's original christian vision. In Maranatha's struggle to become a premium California prep school, it is turning it's back on the christian principles that made it what it was. Crosses and logo drama aside, a schools christian influence is based on the leadership and faculty, and that is sorely lacking here. I am sending my next child to Brentwood School . Sure it isn't a christian school, but neither is Maranatha, and at least Brentwood can't call themselves hypocrites. In addition, I would rather the longer drive to be certain that my child is associated with a school that cares more about the student's personality and education than their schools image and status in the eye of the public. Because in reality that is what makes a real school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“i will say that many people say this school is less 'Christian' than others but the fact is that if you dont want to be at this school you will say anything and once you go to PHS or another around here you will see how nice this place is and we have a really great campus im not the average student at maranatha but i do feel that many uof us share the same opinion”
This review was posted by a student.

“this school is much bette rthan i excpected i enjoy it alot there are many extra curricular activities to join. i am a freshman this year and it really helps to be involved, there are so many sports teams and clubs and activities to do and it helps you feel to be a part of the school-it is a great envirement to be a part of. i love mhs!”
This review was posted by a student.

“My daughter finds this school very unsatisfactory and I agree as I am deeply involved as a parent. However, it fails to meet requirements and does not provide challenging courses. It is not worth the high price we pay to keep our daughter there”
This review was posted by a parent.

“This schol seems to have very good academic education. Also this school also has a good amount of extracurricular activities”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My children are enrolled at Maranatha because it is the best school for them in this area. Academically it is stronger than it has been in years. Most of the teachers are qualified, caring individuals. However, I do have concerns. I was shocked and offended when the cross was removed from the school logo. The parent involvement is controlled primarily by a few well to do families whose children receive preferential treatment.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I agree with the last parental review. We pulled out our son after his junior year. We don't like the changes or the leadership. My son did have some very good teachers that had been there a long time, but overall, the quality was disappointing at the top academic level. The only place for students to relax is in the Cafeteria. Lastly, every school event was a fundraiser in disguise. It made us stop attending school functions altogether.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We agree with the other negative comments. MHS was both wonderful and horrible for us. We were very happy when we started here years ago. It was truly a 'Christian' place. This is no longer true since MHS moved to its new location. We don't know what happened, but suspect that a change in leadership at the top affected the new direction of MHS. If you want a school that feels like the 'San Marino Women's Social Club', MHS is for you. It's no different than Polytechnic, Westridge, Mayfield, etc. With sorrow, our last child will attend La Salle.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I have a Junior and Freshman at Maranatha. My older children went to other area private high schools. I believe Maranatha gives a complete education to the whole child no matter what your strengths/weaknesses are. Some of the other local private schools are only about being the best of the best of the best. And if you do not always fall into that category- well watch out, you will be left behind in a heartbeat! While my older kids had a great experiences, I think my younger two would not have had the best experience. On the other hand, they are thriving at Maranatha. The caring teachers and staff that goes out of their way to get to know each child personally, and their parents too. We have had a wonderful experience at Maranatha and are blessed to be a part of their family.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We've had three of our children at Maranatha. The oldest graduated in 2001. Yes, there have been some changes over that time, notably the move to the new incredible campus but, without question, sending our kids there has been the absolute best decision we ever made. All three developed great friends, were academically prepared well for college (where they have excelled), grew spiritually (due to caring and Godly teachers) and had great sports and other extracurricular activities. I'm surprised to see the negative comments from one parent because we know many, many parents there who feel as we do. Yes, there are fundraising efforts but compare the Maranatha tuition with the other schools in the area (many of which are several thousands higher). Our experience is that Maranatha has become stronger academically, is better run and has a better overall spiritual climate that when we first started.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Maranatha is an amazing place! Yes, there is a heavy emphasis on college prep and the fundraising efforts are never-ending, but face it, that's reality for this generation! Whenever I have a question or concern, all I have to do is email the teacher and they respond back within 24 hours. The staff knows my daughter by name and she feels comfortable asking for their help. The enthusaism for the sports and performing arts programs is contagious and parents are very involved in the school and in the lives of their children. It is exactly the kind of high school we wanted for our daughter!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Maranatha has changed for the worse. If it continues on its path, its going to become the opposite of what it is striving for. Maranatha is not what it used to be, I would not recommend this school at all. My eldest child graduated from there, and my youngest is now a freshmen. We are not happy at all, and have more than had it with fund after fund.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“My youngest Daughter is a Junior at Maranatha and loves it there. I love the overall respect and reverence the kids there have for God and the seriousness with which they approach their studies. This is College Prep and there is much more expected from the kids than at other schools but as a parent, that's one of the things I expect from Maranatha. Teaching a child to be a strong Christian is a parents job, not the school's. Since when did having a cross in your logo mean your kids would become better Christians? Maranatha students are proud of how beautiful their campus is and they learn that by not walking or hanging out on the grass, that beauty is preserved. I would recommend Maranatha Highly!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“MHS has had a long, positive history. Their motto was, 'Every child deserves a Christian education'. This has all changed since MHS moved to it's new campus at Ambassador College last year. Now their goal is to be the 'top prep school' in the country. They took the cross out of their logo. The kids aren't allowed to walk or sit on the grass! They're herded all together at lunch and snack, which is hard on teens after being stuck inside all day. Every thing is about image, (and not a Christian one), and giving them money! Only top performing kids need apply. If not all the kids in your family are high achievers, you'll have to enroll your kids in more than one school. This is highly inconvenient and so unlike the Maranatha in the past. The kids are so stressed out! This is not an exaggeration! Sad!”
This review was posted by a parent.