On Saturday, May 20, Mount Paran Christian School graduated 101 seniors at Turner Chapel A.M.E. church. Led by class Valedictorian Reid Van de Vate and Salutatorian Mary Ella Carroll, the MPCS class of 2023 is comprised of students who have been accepted into some of the nation’s finest colleges, universities, and military academies.
Before the class of 2023 heads off to their final choice college destinations, with locations ranging from Georgia (52 students chose to remain in state) to as far north as New York (49 students have chosen out-of-state schools), the seniors were honored with a senior parade.
The fourth-annual senior parade is an MPCS tradition born of the COVID pandemic. In addition to senior chapel and honors night, the parade provides a final opportunity to recognize the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of the graduating class.
On the afternoon of Friday, May 19, seniors and their families decorated their cars with balloons, streamers, posters, and flags representing their college destinations, all to take part in the senior parade through the MPCS campus and neighboring The Overlook subdivision. MPCS teachers, staff, and underclassmen were stationed in cheering positions on the school parade route, with The Overlook neighbors offering a warm welcome for the students as the cars processed.
ABOUT THE MPCS CLASS OF 2023
The MPCS class of 2023 is composed of 101 students who have been accepted into some of the nation’s finest colleges, universities, and military academies. Students have received acceptances into 71 colleges and universities, 16 of which are in-state schools and 55 are out-of-state schools. Of the 101 acceptances, 42 are public schools and 29 are private schools, including seven 7 Christian colleges. With their final choice college submissions, 52 students from the class of 2023 have chosen in-state schools, and 49 students chose out-of-state schools.
Top Five Colleges Matriculation:
1. University of Georgia
2. Georgia Institute of Technology (with an average acceptance rate of 55% to UGA and/or GT)
3. Kennesaw State University, Auburn University, and University of Mississippi
4. Georgia College & State University and Mississippi State University
5. University of Tennessee and University of Alabama
Of all scholarship funds reported, students earned a combined estimated $9+ million in merit-based, military, performing/visual arts, or athletic scholarship monies. Twenty-five students will receive merit-based academic achievement scholarships; two performing and visual arts students will receive scholarships; and 14 students will receive athletic scholarships.
About: Mount Paran Christian School, the largest private Christian school in Cobb County, is a non-denominational, college-preparatory school for students in preschool age three through grade 12. MPCS is committed to excellence in academics, award-winning arts, and championship athletics, all within a Christian environment with small class sizes. Founded in 1976, MPCS is fully accredited (SAIS/Cognia) and located near Kennesaw Mountain on a 68-acre collegiate-like campus. Providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment, MPCS unites with home and church to prepare servant-leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in truth.
