ADMISSIONS
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Mater Dei School and thank you for your interest. As our philosophy states, Mater Dei School provides an accelerated yet basic Catholic education in which character development is emphasized and appreciated as much as academic accomplishments. In a traditionally structured, yet relaxed atmosphere, the students are encouraged to both work and play hard; accordingly, a strong athletic program complements the scholastic curriculum.
Below, please find general school and admissions information, which you might find helpful. Feel free to call anytime with questions. We hope that we may be of service to you, and we look forward to your personal visit.
Sincerely,
William G. McMurtrie
Headmaster
General School Information
Mater Dei is an independent, Catholic school for boys, grades 1 through 8. The curriculum is a reasonably fast-tracked one in which consistent effort and reading are emphasized; however, character development is the school's top priority. Religion is taught daily. All classes are generally limited to twenty students. Grades 1 through 4 are housed in the Lower School and grades 5 through 8 are in the Upper School. Grades 5 through 8 are departmentalized with specialists teaching most subjects. Students have multiple community service opportunities, attend numerous field trips and upper school students participate in an “Outdoor Week.”
In grades 1 through 4, classes are generally between 18-20 students with small groups pulled for reading. Students participate in daily physical education and recess for 40 minutes each. Art, music, computers and library are each taught once per week. Lower school students also attend class field trips and perform community service.
Mater Dei students in grades 5 through 8 participate in a wide range of competitive sports with other independent schools. This program includes soccer, football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, baseball, tennis, and lacrosse. In addition, there is an intramural and physical education program for grades 5 through 8 with every boy participating in some activity.
School opens at 8:00a.m., classes start at 8:20a.m. and school is dismissed at 3:00p.m. Homework club is offered Monday through Thursday after school.
Tuition and Lunch
Grades 1 through 8 = $18,600
Technology 1 - 8 = $100 (approximately)
5th-8th Outdoor Week = $300-$600 (varies by grade)
Books & Standardized Testing = $300-$550 (varies by grade)
Activity Fee = $100
Students bring their lunches and the school provides milk.
Registration fee= $50
Admissions
Mater Dei follows an open application policy and practices a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin with respect to the admission and treatment of students, faculty, and administrative staff. Admission is on standardized testing (administered by Mater Dei) in conjunction with records and recommendations provided by the applicant's current school.
Please note that most new students are admitted to Mater Dei in the first, fifth and sixth grades and that openings in other grades depend upon attrition. Accordingly, if you are interested in first, fifth or sixth grade placement, please complete the online application by using the link below.
Admissions timeline:
-
Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec - Complete online application, preferably by early December.
-
Parent Interview/Tour - In Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec parents receive an application acknowledgement letter and then schedule their admissions interview.
-
December - First grade applicants take a one hour readiness test.
-
January - Fifth and sixth grade admissions test is Saturday, January 12th at 8:30am. Students will meet the Headmaster and President and will get a tour of the school.
-
Late December - Recommendation forms and transcripts requests are mailed directly to the applicants’ current schools from Mater Dei.
-
Financial Aid - Financial aid applications must be completed no later than February 1.
-
Late February - Mater Dei mails acceptance letters to applicants’ homes.
Financial Aid Application - Due February 1st for the following school year.
