Online Student Resources

Getting Started

An overview for students and how to get started in their online course. (Video Length in minutes: 2:20)

Orientation - MyCoursePortal

An overview of MyCoursePortal - our Student Information System - and how you communicate with instructors and access your course (Video Length in minutes: 3:50)

Orientation - Coursework

An overview of the Learning Management System and how to navigate your coursework, submit assignments, and take exams. (Video length in minutes: 7:20)

Orientation - Academic Policies

An overview of academic and enrollment policies, who to contact, and ways to connect. 

Maranatha Online High School courses utilize Schoology for the Learning Management System (LMS). To get started, please watch this short overview covering high school policies and navigating Schoology. 

Resources mentioned in the video:

• The MCO Handbook
• A Getting Started guide for families
• A Back to School checklist for students
• MCO Orientation slides (from the video)

Schoology Help:

• Schoology Guide for Students
• Schoology Guide for Parents
• Students will access Schoology through their Clever account (select Login with Microsoft and use your Maranatha email). 

Intro to MCO Course

All online students will start with the Intro to MCO course to set you up for success in how to navigate the platform and course material. Once this course is completed, students will be added to their academic courses. 

• Computer*: Students will need to access their online courses using a computer (laptop or desktop). Courses are mobile friendly, however a proper learning environment with a computer rather than mobile phone or tablet is suggested.
• Internet Access* students will need access to a high-speed internet connection. We highly recommend that students maintain a direct connection and not use WIFI during quizzes or semester exams.
• Printer and Scanner*: it is highly recommended that students have access to a printer and scanner. While much of the work is online, students may wish to print assignments. Some work may also need to be completed in an offline format, scanned, and emailed to the instructor.
• Email and Cloud Storage: All students enrolling in Maranatha Christian Online School will receive an email address and Office 365 account, which includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Students will be able to save their work and assignments in their OneDrive folder in Office 365 account.
• FACTS account: Parents will have access to a FACTS account, which is where they will pay tuition and be able to access report cards and transcripts. This is not where you will see daily monitoring of courses.
• MyCoursePortal (SIS): The Middle School Student Information System (SIS) will provide access to student’s grades and progress during a course. One parent/guardian will have an account in the SIS.
• Middle School LMS: Students will take their courses through the Learning Management System (LMS), Buzz. Parents will also be provided a login to see their students progress.
• High School LMS: Students will take their courses through Schoology. Parents will also have access to see their students progress.

*Must be provided by each student/family.

What is an Assignment Target Due Date?

Each assignment has a target due date. Students should aim to turn in their assignments on this date. Assignments that are turned in after the target due date may be subject to a 10% late penalty. 

If I withdraw from a course, does it effect my GPA?

If students withdraw from a course, they will receive a "withdrawn" status. Withdrawn does not appear on your transcript and will no effect your GPA. There are fees involved for withdrawn courses. 

What is the recommended length of each course?

Maranatha will apply our standard semester/year long course length (18 weeks or 36 weeks) to each course during our school year. 

Can I change my course after I enroll?

Please review the following timelines and fees associated with changing or withdrawing from a course. 

• Enrolled but before the start date: $20 change fee
• Day 1 - Day 10: $50 change fee
• Day 11 - Day 24: $160 change fee
• Day 25+: Full course fee

How much time should I expect to spend working on my courses each week?

• Students in regular courses can expect to spend 4-5 hours each week in their course. 
• Students in honors or AP courses can expect to spend 6-8 hours each week in their course. 

Note: each student is a unique learner. These are general guidelines based on the average time. 

Contact Rachael Kaiser for the following: 

• Enrollment, Course Changes or Extensions
• Questions about accessing MyCoursePortal (MS)
• Participating in on-campus activities through MCA Connect

Contact IT for the following:

• Issues accessing your email
• Issues accessing Schoology (HS)

Questions about your coursework?

• MS: Use MyCoursePortal to contact your instructor or schedule an appointment
• HS: Use Schoology to contact your instructor or schedule an appointment

When the MCA campus is in session, chapel will be on Tuesdays, and advisory periods will be on Thursdays. Students are highly encouraged to attend both chapel and advisory each week. Both advisory and chapel will begin the first week of September. 

Chapel during the 2024-25 school year:

• High School: Tuesdays at 10 - 11 am
• Middle School: Tuesdays at 2:30 - 3:10 pm

*Note: Students are welcome to join chapel on-campus. You must signin with Student services when you arrive.

Middle School Academic Handbook

To view the full Middle School Academic handbook and policy guide, click here. 

High School Academic Handbook

To view the full High School Academic handbook and policy guide, click here. 

MCA Connect Guide for Online and Homeschool students.

Students enrolled in Maranatha Christian online can engage in on-campus activities. To review the policies and guidelines on MCA Connect, click here. For questions on participating in on-campus activities, please contact Amy Clausen.

Disclaimer: Maranatha reserves the right to update the Handbook and/or Connect Guide at any time. We will aim to update this page if any changes are made. 

FACTS:

FACTS is our tuition management system. Login here to pay your tuition. You will need to enter district code: MCA-MN. If you have questions or need assistance logging in, please contact Allen Banks. 

Middle School Learning Management System (MyCoursePortal):

Both parent and student have a MyCoursePortal account, which is where you will access your daily grades and coursework. Login to MyCoursePortal here.  

High School Learning Management System (Schoology):

Both parent and student have a Schoology account, which is where you will access your daily grades and coursework. Students will access Schoology through their Clever account (select Login with Microsoft and use your Maranatha email).