Mater Dei Catholic High School
- Boarding school
- Private school
- School
- Full-time
- english
About the Mater Dei Catholic High School
Mater Dei Catholic High School, founded in 1950, is a private Catholic school located in Santa Ana, California. The school has rich traditions and deep roots in the Catholic faith, being part of the network of Catholic schools of the Diocese of Orange. Throughout its more than 70-year history, Mater Dei has educated thousands of students, becoming one of the most well-known and respected Catholic schools in the region. The school is known for its outstanding athletic achievements, particularly in football and basketball, and its sports teams regularly achieve national championships. Among its notable alumni are many professional athletes, actors, and public figures. The educational philosophy of Mater Dei is based on the principles of the Catholic faith, striving for academic excellence and the formation of well-rounded individuals. The school aims to educate students in the spirit of service, leadership, and moral responsibility. The uniqueness of its approach lies in the combination of a rigorous academic program, including honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with a strong sports program and a variety of extracurricular activities. This creates an environment where every student can develop their talents - intellectual, spiritual, athletic, and artistic. Mater Dei Catholic High School has a significant impact on the educational and social life of Orange County. Its reputation as an academically strong institution with one of the best sports programs in the country attracts students from all over the region. The school contributes to the preparation of future leaders guided by moral principles. The institution's main goals are providing education based on Catholic values, preparing students for college admission, fostering critical thinking, and promoting service to society.
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Admission conditions in Mater Dei Catholic High School
The admission process to Mater Dei Catholic High School is competitive and multi-stage. The school is looking for students who not only demonstrate academic potential but are also willing to embrace its Catholic values and actively participate in school community life. Required exams: Entrance exam High School Placement Test (HSPT). Minimum age: 13-14 years old (admission to 9th grade). The school accepts students in grades 9 through 12. Application process: The application is made through an online platform on the school's official website. There is a non-refundable registration fee. Educational qualifications: Provision of report cards from the previous school (for 7th and 8th grades), as well as recommendations. Required documents: Completed online application, HSPT results, recommendations from a math teacher and an English teacher, report cards, baptism certificate (if applicable). Requirements for international students: Confirmation of English language proficiency level (e.g. TOEFL Jr. or equivalents). All documents must be translated into English. Guardianship is required for students without an F-1 visa. Financial conditions: Confirmation of financial stability is required to obtain an I-20 visa (for students on an F-1 visa). Financial aid is available for local students. Application deadlines: The main deadline for applications is usually in January, followed by the HSPT exam. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered if there are available spots. Testing or interview: Mandatory entrance test HSPT. An interview with the admissions committee may also be required. Qualifications or experience: Participation in extracurricular activities, sports, volunteer work, and church life will be taken into consideration. Notification of results: Admission letters are sent out in March.
MoreMinimum rating for admission to Mater Dei Catholic High School
Competitive selection. The school does not publish strict minimum scores, but takes into account the results of the HSPT, academic grades, and personal qualities. Academic performance should be above average.
Prospects after completing studies in Mater Dei Catholic High School
Graduates of Mater Dei Catholic High School have high acceptance rates to colleges and universities. They continue their education at various institutions of higher learning, including UC system universities, private universities across the country, and renowned Catholic universities. Strong preparation, especially in AP programs, allows many students to gain admission to prestigious universities. School graduates are known for their discipline, leadership qualities, and readiness for serious academic work at the university level.
MoreTitle | Age | Period |
|---|---|---|
| College Preparatory Program | 14+ | 4 years |
| Advanced Placement (AP) Program | 15+ | 1 year |
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Reviews
I would like to share my experience) Studied at this school for 3 years before entering the university. He entered after the British school. At first the teachers were very friendly and paid a lot of attention to everyone. You could calmly approach after class if there was a question. In high school, students are expected to be more independent. That is, for example, if there is a question, teachers do not always give an answer immediately, but give, for example, materials that can be viewed to understand the topic. From an academic point of view, this is, of course, a plus. But the burden on students increases because of this. Therefore, it is not easy to study in high school. But I am grateful to Mater Dei for preparing for university admission! I got the offers quite easily, I chose Florida Polytechnic :)
Read in fullMy son graduated from Mater Dei this year. The school gave us a productive and diverse experience. Teachers and curators who work with foreign students are very attentive. If there were problems with studying: they immediately called me, or wrote to the mail. The school offers a large selection of clubs, the school management tries to make the choice as complete as possible in order to attract more foreigners to the school. Because of this, there was sometimes a shortage of staff. The school has excellent tutors for admission to universities. My son always had problems with meeting deadlines, but here it was clearly monitored. Many thanks to this school for the wonderful time, knowledge and preparation for the university!
Read in fullMy daughter is in her second year of school and we are very happy with our choice. The school and the boarding house have a family atmosphere, the class size is small. Quite a few clubs and extracurricular activities. Special thanks to the manager of Smapse Elena for help with admission, as well as curators from Amerigo, who provide accommodation. The guesthouse and the surrounding area are always clean, beautiful, it is nice that the child studies in such a wonderful and inspiring place!
Read in fullOur youngest daughter studied at Mater Dei. We were transferring her from public school because my work contract was ending by then and I had to look for a boarding school. Since the child's English was almost like a native language, there were no difficulties with admission. We really like the school. The teachers are helpful and responsible. Compared to a public school, where the approach to teaching is very formal (I conducted a lesson and went), here the attitude towards students is completely different. Excellent quality of education, a diverse national composition of students, there is no predominance of any one nationality. The religious bias is practically not felt, children are not forced to attend church and sing psalms.
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