How is Dematha?

[Anonymous]

I’m considering DeMatha because they have rolling transfers. I’d like to know more about the academic rigor, discipline issues, and how an academically minded student would fare there. How do the sports programs factor into student life? What are the college outcomes, and do you think the tuition is worth it?

[Anonymous]

Bump

[Anonymous]

Deaths ranks #2 for basketball in MD.

[Anonymous]

*Dematha

[Anonymous]

You probably won’t get too many replies here.

[Anonymous]

DeMatha's president once said that the school was for the "average student". Not that there aren't some very bright kids there.

It is a sports powerhouse with a national reputation.

It is located in Prince George's County, a few miles from the UMCP campus.

It has a large and loyal alumni base.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DeMatha's president once said that the school was for the "average student". Not that there aren't some very bright kids there.

It is a sports powerhouse with a national reputation.

It is located in Prince George's County, a few miles from the UMCP campus.

It has a large and loyal alumni base.

This is your answer op.

[Anonymous]

We live 20 from it and it is a no go (same as Bishop McNamara); but for a 45-60 minute drive we have and may choose Spalding, St. Mary's Annapolis, St. Jerome Institute and SAAS. We care about academics first and foremost and peer relationships - not sports.

[Anonymous]

DeMatha is a solid choice, especially if you're looking for flexibility with transferring. Academically, it offers a mix—you’ll find both strong students taking AP and honors courses and those who need more support. If your student is academically minded, he’ll find a challenging curriculum, particularly in subjects like math, science, engineering, history and world languages, and teachers who push students to excel. The faculty genuinely care, but like any school, a student has to be self-motivated to take advantage of what’s offered.

Discipline-wise, DeMatha has a structured environment with clear expectations, but it's not overly rigid. It’s a big school with a diverse student body, so experiences can vary, but the administration does a decent job of maintaining order. I am not aware of any major bullying and I think there's little tolerance for any disciplinary issues.

Sports are a big part of school life—DeMatha has nationally recognized programs in multiple sports, and the school spirit around athletics is strong. However, non-athletes aren’t sidelined; there’s a good balance with arts, music, and other extracurriculars. Your student doesn’t need to be an athlete to fit in, but the energy around sports is definitely part of the culture.

College outcomes are solid. You’ll see students going to top-tier universities, including Ivy League schools, but also a range of solid choices ranging from small liberal arts schools, public flagships, regional colleges and HBCUs, military academies, Catholic universities, as well as Ivy and highly selective institutions. There’s a strong support system for college admissions, but, as with any school, individual outcomes depend on the student’s efforts.

As for tuition—if your son will take advantage of the academics, resources, and extracurriculars, it can be worth it. The alumni network is strong, and the experience can be invaluable for the right student.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live 20 from it and it is a no go (same as Bishop McNamara); but for a 45-60 minute drive we have and may choose Spalding, St. Mary's Annapolis, St. Jerome Institute and SAAS. We care about academics first and foremost and peer relationships - not sports.

Were sports the only issue? Any info is appropriate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DeMatha is a solid choice, especially if you're looking for flexibility with transferring. Academically, it offers a mix—you’ll find both strong students taking AP and honors courses and those who need more support. If your student is academically minded, he’ll find a challenging curriculum, particularly in subjects like math, science, engineering, history and world languages, and teachers who push students to excel. The faculty genuinely care, but like any school, a student has to be self-motivated to take advantage of what’s offered.

Discipline-wise, DeMatha has a structured environment with clear expectations, but it's not overly rigid. It’s a big school with a diverse student body, so experiences can vary, but the administration does a decent job of maintaining order. I am not aware of any major bullying and I think there's little tolerance for any disciplinary issues.

Sports are a big part of school life—DeMatha has nationally recognized programs in multiple sports, and the school spirit around athletics is strong. However, non-athletes aren’t sidelined; there’s a good balance with arts, music, and other extracurriculars. Your student doesn’t need to be an athlete to fit in, but the energy around sports is definitely part of the culture.

College outcomes are solid. You’ll see students going to top-tier universities, including Ivy League schools, but also a range of solid choices ranging from small liberal arts schools, public flagships, regional colleges and HBCUs, military academies, Catholic universities, as well as Ivy and highly selective institutions. There’s a strong support system for college admissions, but, as with any school, individual outcomes depend on the student’s efforts.

As for tuition—if your son will take advantage of the academics, resources, and extracurriculars, it can be worth it. The alumni network is strong, and the experience can be invaluable for the right student.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DeMatha is a solid choice, especially if you're looking for flexibility with transferring. Academically, it offers a mix—you’ll find both strong students taking AP and honors courses and those who need more support. If your student is academically minded, he’ll find a challenging curriculum, particularly in subjects like math, science, engineering, history and world languages, and teachers who push students to excel. The faculty genuinely care, but like any school, a student has to be self-motivated to take advantage of what’s offered.

Discipline-wise, DeMatha has a structured environment with clear expectations, but it's not overly rigid. It’s a big school with a diverse student body, so experiences can vary, but the administration does a decent job of maintaining order. I am not aware of any major bullying and I think there's little tolerance for any disciplinary issues.

Sports are a big part of school life—DeMatha has nationally recognized programs in multiple sports, and the school spirit around athletics is strong. However, non-athletes aren’t sidelined; there’s a good balance with arts, music, and other extracurriculars. Your student doesn’t need to be an athlete to fit in, but the energy around sports is definitely part of the culture.

College outcomes are solid. You’ll see students going to top-tier universities, including Ivy League schools, but also a range of solid choices ranging from small liberal arts schools, public flagships, regional colleges and HBCUs, military academies, Catholic universities, as well as Ivy and highly selective institutions. There’s a strong support system for college admissions, but, as with any school, individual outcomes depend on the student’s efforts.

As for tuition—if your son will take advantage of the academics, resources, and extracurriculars, it can be worth it. The alumni network is strong, and the experience can be invaluable for the right student.

+1 - the sense of brotherhood and the music program are top notch! Great engineering and STEM classes, too. I know many current students and alumni who are successful and happy to be a Stag!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DeMatha's president once said that the school was for the "average student". Not that there aren't some very bright kids there.

It is a sports powerhouse with a national reputation.

It is located in Prince George's County, a few miles from the UMCP campus.

It has a large and loyal alumni base.

I think this requires a little context given DeMatha's Trinitarian mission of inclusion and service to marginalized communities. What makes DeMatha great is not based on whom they exclude, but whom they include and how they help them succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DeMatha's president once said that the school was for the "average student". Not that there aren't some very bright kids there.

It is a sports powerhouse with a national reputation.

It is located in Prince George's County, a few miles from the UMCP campus.

It has a large and loyal alumni base.

I think this requires a little context given DeMatha's Trinitarian mission of inclusion and service to marginalized communities. What makes DeMatha great is not based on whom they exclude, but whom they include and how they help them succeed.

100%

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We live 20 from it and it is a no go (same as Bishop McNamara); but for a 45-60 minute drive we have and may choose Spalding, St. Mary's Annapolis, St. Jerome Institute and SAAS. We care about academics first and foremost and peer relationships - not sports.

Were sports the only issue? Any info is appropriate

The strongest Catholic schools are not diocesan schools - but are independently run - like Gonzaga, Georgetown Prep, The Heights and SAAS for example. Suggest you look at SAT scores, AP classes and results, languages other than Spanish, clubs and unique programs like IB (Spalding and Good Counsel), art/music or cyber. And college placements after filtering out sports recruits. In addition the school had to be big enough to offer 2-3 levels of math so that the instruction was at the appropriate level for that those students that scored into the class.