I think there is at least one poster who has an axe to grind about Mater Dei but that poster has not had a child go through Mater Dei and, therefore, is not familiar with the program.

While the math program is not differentiated (meaning the low kids are in their own class and the high kids are in their own class) there is enough to keep all kids interested and engaged. From our son's class I can think of at least five boys by name who took AP Calc their senior year at Prep or Gonzaga. I also know a couple of boys (a year/years behind my son) who are at Gonzaga or Prep now and who are in the highest level math classes (Geometry for Freshman year, for example).

Mater Dei is not a school for every boy and every family. But it was the right school for our boy and our family. We certainly will be sending our younger son there when he is old enough.

Have you considered St. Anselm's?

There was a boy in my son's high school that was redshirted at Mater Dei and turned 20 his senior year of high school. Crazy.

Not a good fit if you have a kid that is advanced in math. The don't even teach Algebra in 8th grade and since your kid will absolutely be redshirted they will be 15 before they ever take algebra.

If you don't like tough love it's not the place for you. But if you do you will find it refreshing a nd a
But if a diamond in the rough. Although not too rough as the facilities (especially the library) are top
Notch.

Teachers have been outstanding in our experience. They seem to really love teaching and coaching and really "get" how to teach males. I think having a report card for character in addition to grades makes a huge difference. Great school and great community. Nothing but good things to say.

Anonymous wrote:Is the cab thing true? I am not even sure if this is legal. That troubles me. Also disappointed to hear rising third grade is not a great class. One of my kids is rising third grade. We would be leaving a terrific parish school. We are looking for more in terms of academics and also more sport opportunities than our current school has.

NP but I think the cab part is rhetoric. However, the PP is pointing out something that is very much true at Mater Dei. If there is a child who is being a bully or whose behavior does not mesh well with the school's ethics or ethos then that child will be counseled out immediately. They will not beat around the bush or allow the behavior to continue.

Is the cab thing true? I am not even sure if this is legal. That troubles me. Also disappointed to hear rising third grade is not a great class. One of my kids is rising third grade. We would be leaving a terrific parish school. We are looking for more in terms of academics and also more sport opportunities than our current school has.

Anonymous wrote:One of the downsides of Mater dei is that everybody already knows everybody else and it is sometimes hard to fit in...the boys often have older brothers at the school, Dads went there and the cliques are already set in...I don't think it's intentional, but they are already fixed into their social groups and often go to the same church, etc. Many have known each other for a lifetime and are family friends. And...personal opionion, the current rising 3rd grade class are filled with some "Lord of the Flies" bully type kids.

Pretty much every school has tougher and gentler classes. That said , Mater Dei has a strong "be a good guy" ethic. The teachers and administration are aware and do a good job with bullies. The school doesn't need anybody or money. They will eject a problem and send him home in a cab.

Anonymous wrote:One of the downsides of Mater dei is that everybody already knows everybody else and it is sometimes hard to fit in...the boys often have older brothers at the school, Dads went there and the cliques are already set in...I don't think it's intentional, but they are already fixed into their social groups and often go to the same church, etc. Many have known each other for a lifetime and are family friends. And...personal opionion, the current rising 3rd grade class are filled with some "Lord of the Flies" bully type kids.

The part of this about "every knows every body else" describes lot of Catholic Schools. It may be more true at Mater Dei. It's a small school and not to a connected to a Parish, so people find their way their via family history or local knowledge.

One of the downsides of Mater dei is that everybody already knows everybody else and it is sometimes hard to fit in...the boys often have older brothers at the school, Dads went there and the cliques are already set in...I don't think it's intentional, but they are already fixed into their social groups and often go to the same church, etc. Many have known each other for a lifetime and are family friends. And...personal opionion, the current rising 3rd grade class are filled with some "Lord of the Flies" bully type kids.

Anonymous wrote:Mater Dei will make any kid more well rounded . It will make a sporty kid more academic and a academic kid more sporty. They will strengthen weaknesses and leave western civilization in your heart for life.

LOL

Anonymous wrote:If you are white, fairly affluent, somewhat to very Conservative, and your child is sporty you'd probably like Mater Dei. It's pretty one note.

You ae mostly correct.

Of course, there's always a few exceptions and posters on DCUM are expert at making these look like the rule.

You might want to add "Catholic" or even "practicing Catholic" to the list of descriptors of the families that send their sons to Mater Dei. Although that might be redundant with white and somewhat to very Conservative.

And a lot of these white, fairly affluent, somewhat conservative and sporty parents are connected to one of the Catholic high schools, especially Georgetown Prep and Gonzaga.

Mater Dei is considered by some (hopefully) to be "prep for Prep" and those that don't go from Mater Dei to Prep usually end up at Gonzaga.

Mater Dei will make any kid more well rounded . It will make a sporty kid more academic and a academic kid more sporty. They will strengthen weaknesses and leave western civilization in your heart for life.

Anonymous wrote:average academics (most teachers don't have a MA) poor facilities. very old school curriculum

excellent in character development.

most who graduate have generation ties to the DC area.

The teaching is mediocre AT BEST. You don't need a Masters or PhD but you should have mastery over the underlying subject from your undergraduate years, be excited by teaching it, and work to become a better teacher. Lots of jock-types who phone it in in the classroom. Transitioning to a top academic high school a major shock to the system of most high performing Mater Dei students.