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Course Catalog (PDF)

Academic Profile

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Academic Facilities

Summer School 2009

Academic Departments


 English

 Languages

 Mathematics

 Performing Arts

 Physical Education

 Sciences

 Social Sciences

 Technology

 Theology

 Visual Arts


English Department

The English Department seeks to increase students' skills in critical thinking, effective oral and written communication and reading proficiency. The school also provides an Honors/AP track for English. Extensive summer reading assignments prepare Honors/AP students for an intense year of learning, in addition to adding to their knowledge base for the Advanced Placement tests.

Students interested in joining the Honors track should be aware that placement is largely based upon test score results from the writing portion of the ISEE. Following their freshman year, sophomore students may advance to the Honors level by earning a 4.0 GPA in both semesters of their freshman English class and with a teacher recommendation.



Language Department

Maranatha's Language Department offers courses in American Sign Language (I-III), Spanish (I-IV), French (I-IV) and Latin (I-II). We teach a strong foundation in grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension and writing and speaking. As culture and language go hand in hand, our language teachers also add units of cultural study to the curriculum; teaching about clothing, sports, religion, food, history and society of countries that speak the languages the students are studying.

Students are encouraged to engage the language as much as possible with extracurricular activities such as clubs related to their language (French Club, Spanish Club and ASL Club), and field trips. Each year, students have the option of participating in a weekend at a deaf school, a mission week in Mexico, and occasionally cultural trips to foreign countries such as Spain or France.



Mathematics Department

The Mathematics Department at Maranatha is designed for students with a wide range of math skills. Course offerings range from Algebra 1A through Advanced Placement Calculus BC. Entering students are given a placement exam to position students at their highest level. Our Advanced Placement Calculus AB/BC classes have been particularly successful with a pass rate double the national average. Many of our AP Calculus students have gone on to complete advanced degrees in math, science, or engineering. MHS math students have also participated in internships at Cal Tech and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Math Department Tracks



Performing Arts Department

The Performing Arts Department at Maranatha includes Theatre I, II, III, Concert Choir, Mixed Ensemble, Orchestra, AP Music Theory and Dance. In these classes, students learn about artistic and creative expression, interpretation, production and directing, aesthetic review, historical and cultural context of theatre and music, and connections to performing arts in careers and literature.

Currently, students perform a minimum of two productions each year (winter and spring). These productions are performed on the stage of the adjacent Ambassador Auditorium. Our students are also often called upon to perform at other internal or external functions, such as the 2006 Mayor's Pasadena State of the City Address, the 2006 Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Maranatha's Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, MHS Grandparents' Day, and Maranatha's development events.



Physical Education Department

The Physical Education Department focuses on the health and physical fitness of our students. In accordance with the California Educational code, all students are required to complete two year-long classes (or four semesters) of P.E. Students who participate in school sponsored sports are able to count each season played as one semester of P.E. credit. Maranatha students have the choice of taking a traditional P.E. class (which includes aerobic exercise, field games, basketball, volleyball, and swimming), Weight Training, or Dance.

The physical education curricula of Maranatha aims to promote a lifelong physically active lifestyle that can enhance a student’s longevity and quality of life. Research is clear that regular physical activity in adolescence helps build healthy bones and muscles, control weight, and reduce anxiety and stress. In addition to the health benefits, there is growing evidence that regular physical activity enhances learning and school achievement.



Science Department

The science program provides a rigorous curriculum that recognizes the complexities of science and modern research and the creative conflicts that coexist between disciplined research and the integrity of that very process. As a school we are committed to preparing students for understanding the process of scientific inquiry predicated upon a unique Biblical worldview, and engaging scholarly research with critical thinking. Furthermore, we envision a program that seeks to expose students to the interdependence of the various scientific disciplines and their systematic study, investigating the biological, physical and chemical foundations of science, as it relates to life. While the students begin their inquiry with an understanding of God's created order, the student must develop essential analytical skills to demonstrate a proficiency that reflects both the depth and breadth of the disciplines, with a view toward critical thinking.

Maranatha's Science Department has a comprehensive program including Biology, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy/Physiology, and Sports Medicine. We provide Advanced Placement options in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Our Science Department is very "hands on", engaging the students in a number of experiments in our advanced science laboratories as well as off campus field trips. The Science Department also collaborates with Pasadena City College to facilitate DNA research.



Social Science Department

The Maranatha Social Science Department offers a broad based perspective on World and U.S. History, Government, Economics, Psychology and Sociology, with AP options in 3 subject areas. In each area of study, the subjects are taught to make the material relevant to the student's life as well as to include a historical and Christian perspective on the subject.

The multidisciplinary character of the department is unique and offers students an opportunity to find specific areas of interest from Psychology to Ancient Egypt to the cultural and educational impact of the Crusades. This department uses, as much as possible the Socratic teaching method to engage students and encourage critical thinking. Study is often enhanced by personal experience as with the annual trip to Skid Row for the Sociology Class.



Technology Department

Maranatha has been expanding its use and instruction of technology to mirror industry and business practices. The entire campus has been networked with a wire and wireless high speed Internet access. Each classroom has a networked computer station with the capability to project power point lessons as needed. Maranatha has two computer labs. One lab is located in our Student Center and holds twenty-four 64 bit computers, a laser color printer, and a plotter printer. This lab is dedicated to Computer and Communications and Technology classes. The second lab, our Mac Lab, is located in the Academic Center and has fifteen Mac computers, a laser printer and color scanner. The Mac Lab is specifically designed for our Graphic Design, Yearbook and Journalism classes. The Technology Department has also implemented Edline, a web based grade communication system for students, faculty, and parents.

The goal of the Technology Department is that students will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in word processing, keyboarding, Internet usage, and a wide array of software including presentation software, and spreadsheet usage. Students will also be exposed to state standards of computer data organization, portfolio development, and evaluating the use and effects of technology/media on society.

Outside of the classroom the Technology Department administers a Summer Technology Mentor Program where a few students can spend time learning to and helping build, network and troubleshoot computers with the Technology Department in preparation for the upcoming school year.



Theology Department

All truth is God's truth. As students study science, math or history, we ultimately look at the truths we discover in the world through the Biblical lens of Scripture. The Theology Department trains students to study God's Word as well as other faith issues critically. Besides Theology study and class work, students also take part in hands on projects, debating Biblical issues, and interviewing people from other faiths.

Four years of Theology are required to graduate from Maranatha High School. Old Testament and New Testament Survey introduces and reviews the key narratives, characters, places, and terms of Scripture. Christian Doctrine and Theology focuses on foundational doctrines that unify the Christian church as well as Bible study methods. Philosophy and Apologetics is an introduction to Christian philosophical issues. World Religions challenges the prevalent worldviews, cults and religions, while Church History covers the ideas, events and people that shaped the Church's life and thought.



Visual Arts Department

The Arts are very important at Maranatha and we offer a growing and progressive four-year art program. This program is designed to give the student a thorough exposure to both the production and history of art, and to enhance his or her unique, God-given creativity. Our art classrooms, photo studio/lab, and Mac Lab, as well as our beautiful campus setting, all aid in this endeavor. Some topics explored through the program are: drawing methods, perspective, color theory, portrait drawing, oil and acrylic painting, some modern art techniques, basis printing, photography, graphic design, and much more.

Courses offered in this department include: Art Introduction, Painting and Drawing, Advanced Painting and Drawing, Advanced Placement Studio Art (with over 90% pass rate on the AP test), Senior Portfolio, Photography I, II, Graphic Design, Computer Animation, Computer Environmental Design, and Yearbook.