Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Masters Regional Academy?
2. What are the criteria to be accepted into Masters?
3. Because MRA is a regional Christian high school and the student body is comprised of students from different denominations, how are doctrinal issues handled?
4. What is accreditation and is Masters Regional Academy an accredited high school?
5. What is done to make sure that colleges have a clear idea of where my child stands academically?
6. How much is the tuition?
7. Does MRA have a tuition assistance program?
8. What are the school's operating hours?
9. Is there transportation assistance available?
10. Does Masters Regional Academy have a sports program?
11. What type of curriculum does Masters have?
12. Does Masters Regional Academy have a parent-teacher organization?
13. Is there a uniform requirement for students at MRA?
14. What are the Universities/Colleges that have accepted graduates from MRA?
1. Who is Masters Regional Academy?
Masters Regional Academy is a Christian high school for Christian students. We believe that we have been raised up to fill a gap in the education of our children. Most of the world, including Christians, have turned their children over to secular high schools that are not just neutral for the Christian, not just devoid of God, but in many cases are hostile and anti-God. It is hard to imagine that our children can become all that God wants them to be when they are bombarded with humanistic ideas on a daily basis in what are probably the most formative years of their life. MRA is a school called to help take back and train our children in the ways of the Lord. We have been called and set apart to help train the next generation of leaders to walk in the path that God would have for each child.
2. What are the criteria to be accepted into Masters?
There are four main criteria that are used to determine a student's acceptance to MRA. First and most importantly, students must have a belief in traditional Judeo-Christian values and a commitment to pursue those beliefs. This is demonstrated through a personal saving relationship with Jesus Christ and an active participation in the applicant's local church and Christian youth group. Secondly, students will be evaluated by an entrance exam that will provide a nationally normed percentile ranking. The third evaluation point is an applicant's current performance in school as demonstrated by transcripts and report cards. Teacher and pastoral recommendations will make up the remainder of the application information. Once the application information is complete, parents and the applicant will meet with the school administration to determine acceptance.
3. Because MRA is a regional Christian high school and the student body is comprised of students from different denominations, how are doctrinal issues handled?
MRA is a non-denominational regional high school. We are a school for Christian students who have embraced the universal Christian beliefs. It is not our place as a school to teach doctrine; that is left to the student's local church. Each local church has an important and unique call and we encourage students to faithfully sit under the teaching of their pastor who has the God ordained authority to instruct in matters of faith. MRA is not a church; we are a high school that is designed to teach academics through a Christian world-view and designed to help students walk the perfect plan that God has for them by encouraging a Holy lifestyle that pleases the Lord.
4. What is accreditation and is Masters Regional Academy an accredited high school?
Accreditation is generally given by one of the seven regional accrediting agencies in the United States. The main purpose of accreditation is school improvement. This is a noble task and one that MRA takes seriously.
a. Is MRA accredited?
Yes. Masters Regional Academy is fully accreditated by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. MRA is recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Education as a regional secondary school eligible to issue high school diplomas.
5. What is done to make sure that colleges have a clear idea of where my child stands academically?
Colleges use a variety of ways to assess students. At MRA, students will be given the Stanford Achievement test yearly. This test will allow colleges to see your child's academic standing and progress as compared to over 1 million other students at his or her grade level. This yearly testing combined with the four years of high school grades, the PSAT and SAT tests, the application writing sample, letters of recommendation, and possibly an entrance interview, will form the basis from which college acceptance will be determined.
6. How much is the tuition?
Tuition at MRA is currently $6500 for grades 9-12 and $4800 for grades 7-8 per year. Parents can opt for a twelve-month payment plan (June through May) which includes a processing fee or can pay the tuition in full with no additional tuition costs. There are also yearly fundraising responsibilities for each family at MRA. The fundraising goals help us maintain our tuition at a reasonable level while still maintaining an excellent school program.
7. Does MRA have a tuition assistance program?
Yes. Families are encouraged to apply for financial aid through a separate application process. Family Financial Needs Assessment will independently review your financial status to determine if you qualify for aid. The process is completely independent of MRA and all financial records are kept confidential. The aid is in the form of a tuition reduction and is not supplemented from a seperate fund. Approximately 40% of families currently qualify for some financial aid. To assist with tuition there is also a family discount applied to each student that enrolls at MRA after the first. Additionally, low interest loans are available through www.salliemae.com.
8. What are the school's operating hours?
Classes run from 7:50-2:45 each day. We have adopted a modified block schedule where once each week core classes will run for a 90 minute block allowing more time for hands-on projects and in-depth study. Students who attend MRA for four years will receive the equivalent of approximately five years of core class instruction as compared to the average public high school. We are serious about educating our students.
9. Is there transportation assistance available?
Yes. Since MRA is a regional high school, many students from surrounding towns qualify for school bus transportation to and from school. Students that reside in Rhode Island's Region Three are eligible for transportation. These towns include: Barrington, Bristol, Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Johnston, Lincoln, North Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield and Warren. Students that reside outside of these areas very often are able to carpool with other students from their area.
10. Does Masters Regional Academy have a sports program?
Yes. MRA believes that athletics are an important part of a student's high school experience. We are committed to offering sports programs that will give students an opportunity to grow in their athletic ability, teamwork and dedication. The particular sports that we are able to run are determined by student interest. The teams that we currently offer for students to choose from include: boys and girls soccer in the fall; boys and girls basketball in the winter and baseball and softball in the spring. We have also offered instruction in tennis and golf in the past. MRA is a member of the coastal Prep League giving us access to a great number of athletic resources and providing a large pool of potential competitors.
11. What type of curriculum does Masters have?
MRA uses a variety of resources to make up our curriculum resources. We spent a great deal of time inviting publishers in to show us the best materials that they had available. We then chose what we believed was the best in each subject area, keeping in mind; technology integration, learning styles and differing abilities, ease of use for both teachers and students, containing current and up-to-date information. We currently use materials from a host of publishers including but not limited to: Abeka, Bob Jones University Press, Glencoe, Prentice Hall, ACSI publishers and Riversedge publishers.
Regardless of what textbook materials are used in a particular class, it is the teacher component of the curriculum that ensures that all classes view their subject matter through the Christian worldview lens.
12. Does Masters Regional Academy have a parent-teacher organization?
Yes. The Parent Teacher Organization consists of parents/guardians of MRA students who are interested in assisting and supporting the administration and faculty in a variety of ways to benefit the growth of MRA and the educational experience for our students. A parent teacher organization was formed to allow parents another opportunity to be involved in their child’s education. The PTO is a vital part of school development and is a great resource for input regarding the implementation of new programs and/or the upgrading of existing ones. The PTO group works closely with the teachers and administration at MRA to improve school/home communications, help with fundraising, and assist the faculty with classroom projects and field trips. Any parent or guardian of a student attending MRA is welcome to join the PTO. Involvement is flexible and the number of events a parent participates in is based on their schedule. Some of the events that the PTO coordinate or assist in include a Thanksgiving Luncheon, Christmas Faculty Blessing, Teacher Appreciation Week, Talent Show, Sports Banquet, and Open Houses for prospective MRA students, fund raising opportunities to benefit the school, supporting the staff, the students and the school through prayer and prayer walks, and more.
13. Is there a uniform requirement for students at MRA?
Yes and no. At the beginning of the year MRA students are given a list of clothes from a local uniform company. Students may purchase and wear anything on that list but only items on that list. This is a way to minimize the focus on clothing and to place it back on school and the Lord. It is also a way to allow students some freedom in choosing what they will wear as opposed to requiring all students to wear the exact same uniform everyday. Every student will not look the same everyday, but every student will look good everyday.
14. What are the Universities/Colleges that have accepted graduates from MRA?
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Eastern |
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Eastern |
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Johnson and |
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King’s College |
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Louisiana State University |
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Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute |
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Rochester Institute of Technology |
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Saints Bible Institute |
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Taylor University |
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Wentworth Institute of Technology Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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