Admissions

Welcome to Mariners Christian School! MCS is a covenant Christian school created to partner with Christian parents in “Building a firm foundation through Christ-centered Education.” Our Admissions Office looks forward to sharing our school with you as you pray and consider where God would have your children attend school.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Watch your child grow and succeed

How to Apply

To Apply, follow these 3 easy steps:

For more details on these steps, navigate the tabs below.

1. Apply

Apply online

2. Test

Test in person

3. Interview

Family interview with Admissions

Admissions Process

View the Admission steps:

Submit Your Application

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year open October 1st, 2025 for TK and Kindergarten and November 1st, 2025 for 1st-8th grades. At that time, you will be able to complete your online application and begin uploading documents to your admissions checklist. The application fee is $125.

Forms & Checklists

Checklists are available in your online admissions account by clicking on your applicant’s name. From the checklist, you’ll be able to directly download any needed forms or upload required documents.

Required Documents and Forms: To complete your application, you’ll need to submit the following items:

Copy of Birth Certificate
Copy of Immunization Record
Copies of previous two report cards (as applicable)
Copies of two years standardized testing results as applicable (2nd – 8th grade)
Teacher Questionnaire
Church Recommendation form

Student Assessments

If you are applying to TK or Kindergarten, schedule your Chancy and Bruce Developmental Screening appointment with Chancy and Bruce.Your child may be screened here at Mariners Christian School, The Chancy and Bruce office in San Clemente, or at their preschool, if their preschool offers the screening as part of their Fall or Winter program. Scheduling for a screening on site at MCS is available in your admissions checklist.

An academic assessment at Mariners Christian School is required for all students entering 1st-8th grades. Your child’s paperless application and $125 application fee are required before you schedule your assessment. Assessments will be available for scheduling within your admissions checklist and take place from January to April.

Family Interview

Once your child’s checklist is complete (all forms have been submitted, and the academic assessment is completed), our admissions committee will review your file. Eligible applicants will be contacted to schedule a family interview. This is a time for the student and parents to come and meet with one of our administrators.

Decision

Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten applicants have the opportunity to be part of our early decision process. If a family interview is completed one week prior to the December 1st decision date, that candidate will be considered for early decision.

Following early decision, later candidates for TK and Kindergarten and all candidates for 1st-8th grades will receive decisions on a monthly rolling basis and as space allows. Decisions in this group will initially go out in early March, and then monthly thereafter.

Ready to apply?

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

We are delighted you are considering Mariners Christian School. We aim to facilitate a simple and easy application process. Applications are open for the 2025-2026 school year. Applications open for 2026/2027 in October and November.

To apply for the 2025-2026 school year, click the button below. If you are applying for the 2026-2027 school year, click here to complete an inquiry form to be notified when applications are available.

Requirements

Mariners Christian School is a covenant Christian school. At least one parent must profess their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and be committed to their own faith and to raising their children in partnership with their home, church, and school.

TK / Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten Program (TK) – In order to be eligible to attend our TK Program, students must turn five years old by June 2nd of that academic school year. Ex: If applying for the 2025-2026 school year, your student must turn five between September 1st of 2025 and June 2nd of 2026. Students younger than June 2nd birthdays are not eligible for TK, but can apply for Kindergarten the following year. Students with these birthdates may only be considered for TK based on readiness as demonstrated in the Chancy and Bruce Developmental Screening and Teacher Questionnaire.

Kindergarten Program – In order to be eligible to attend our Kindergarten Program, students must turn five years old prior to September 1st of that academic school year. Ex: If applying for the 2025-2026 school year, your student must be five on or before Sept. 1, 2025. Applicants on the older end with Summer birthdays (June to the end of August) must apply to Kindergarten.

We utilize the Chancy and Bruce Developmental Assessment to help partner with parents regarding their child’s readiness for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten.

Vaccinations – Students applying to Mariners Christian School must meet vaccination requirements. Per state requirements, TK vaccination requirements are the same as Kindergarten requirements.

Elementary & Middle School

Students applying to 1st-8th grades will take an academic assessment with our MCS teachers. Students are tested in the areas of reading, writing, and math.

Once you have submitted your online application, you will be provided an opportunity to schedule your child’s academic assessment.

start your tour today

Mariners Christian School Virtual Tour

Don’t wait to see what it’s like to be an MCS Lion! Our innovative campus cultivates an educational experience that helps our students shine.

Tuition Information

Tuition amounts for each school year are updated annually in January for the following school year.

2025-2026 Annual Tuition

Transitional Kindergarten: $12,200

Kindergarten – 3rd Grades: $14,770

4th-5th Grades: $15,070

6th-8th Grades: $16,380

Student Fees

The Student Activity Fee includes the cost for the yearbook, emergency provisions, classroom activities, assemblies, technology, curriculum, miscellaneous materials, and grade-level field trips. The student fees are included in the tuition amount.

The cost for overnight field trips in fourth, sixth, and eighth grade is collected separately by MCS or the partner tour company.

After School Care, Middle School Competitive Athletics, and various other extracurricular programs are billed separately as students participate.

2025-2026 Schedule of Fees

New Student Application Fee (non-refundable): $125

Annual Registration/Re-Enrollment Fee (non-refundable): $550

Tuition Payment

Tuition payments are made through Blackbaud Tuition Management. Other payment methods must be arranged with the business office. Tuition may be paid in one of the following increments:

One (1) payment during the month of July

Two (2) equal payments one in July and one in December

Eleven (11) equal payments are automatically withdrawn on the 5th or 20th day of each month beginning in July and continuing through June with no tuition payment in January.

Tuition Refund Policy

MCS emphasizes that operating expenses do not diminish upon the departure of the student during the course of the school year. MCS relies on re-enrollment and payment of the $550 re-enrollment fee, as a firm commitment for the duration of the following school year. Based primarily on enrollment, yearlong commitments to staff, additional contracts, and other financial obligations are made. To compensate for the loss of the tuition in the event of an early withdrawal, MCS will require payment according to the following structure:

10% of full tuition due for withdraw between May 1 – June 30

25% of full tuition due for withdraw between July 1-31

50% of full tuition due for withdraw between August 1-31

100% of full/remaining tuition due for withdraw after September 1st

To avoid any tuition penalty, written notice of withdrawal must be received by MCS no later than April 30. Enrollment fees are non-refundable.

Family Facility Fee

Families who are enrolling their children for the first time in TK-8th Grade will be assessed a one-time facility fee of $2,500 per family. There is a prorated fee for Middle School grades. This fee is used for ongoing maintenance of the building and grounds and is due during the first year of the first child at MCS. Arrangements may be made to pay the fee in installments.

A Message from Admissions

We are so pleased you are considering Mariners Christian School for your family! As a mother of three children (all MCS Alumni), I recall how important choosing the right school for my children was and continues to be. I look forward to sharing with you some of our 35 year history of partnering with families and churches to “build a firm foundation through Christ-centered education.” I encourage you to take a moment to look at what MCS has to offer your family.

As a nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School, we believe that Mariners Christian School sets the standard for academic and spiritually nurturing programs, outstanding and devoted faculty, and commitment to developing a deep sense of love for Christ. Equally important, we have built exemplary academic programming focusing on the whole child through innovation, while fostering a community of connected believers.

We look forward to meeting you and your family for one of our tours or Preview Events and are praying with you as you determine where God would have your child in this next step of their academic journey.

– Director of Admissions, Ashlee Cowell