Research Mater Dei High School private Schools in Irvine, California

“Attended MDHS myself, as a result of my education I was able to enter my freshman year at UCLA with enough credits to become a 'sophomore' within 1 semester. The opportunities for involvement (no, I was not in any sports team or a cheerleader) and advancement were numerous, diverse, and plentiful. As with all schools, the degree with which students benefit from opportunities equates to the degree in which they take advantage of them. However, I'm not aware of a school that isn't. Initially as a freshman I was fearful of those, but quickly learned that the stereotypes I held were my own prejudices and all high school kids regardless of background share the same insecurities but simply manifest them differently.”

“School that only cares about sports.”

“School has a great campus, teachers are interested in their students and want them to do their best. All of the schools in OC should try and duplicate for their is a future with the student's diploma.”

“I loved Mater Dei and I am grateful for my experiences there. I did not attend private school for elementary or middle school and entered only knowing four people, but quickly made friends. I was a two sport athlete and benefited from the excellent coaching and caliber of the teams. I was able to receive a full scholarship to my top school choice. I graduated with over a 4.0, so I did not actually need athletics to gain access to college. My AP and honors classes prepared me well. I now have a 3.9 gpa as I enter my junior year at UCLA as a science major. I have the option to graduate a year early due to the AP credits I received at MD. I often think that some of my classes at Mater Dei were harder than classes here. I would highly recommend this school to others!”

“I graduated from MDHS with a 3.85 GPA. I participated in no sports (I went to 1 football game in 4 years) & was active in AP & Honors classes, arts & music, took Latin & was enrolled in a program to help lower income families. By no means, was I a stereotypical MD student. I had a wonderful experience & a few of my teachers still have lasting impacts on who I am today. These teachers fostered my natural abilities & helped me cultivate an open mind which was so beneficial in college. Many of my college schoolmates went into shock that first semester with the amount of writing & work that needed to be done for GE classes - it was the same routine & discipline that was expected of me at MD, so I easily graduated from college a year early with hard work & a 3.5 GPA.”

“This school is good overall they have the best teachers and the absolute worst I've ever seen at the same time. Sports are king and definitely rule all decisions I've seen. The academics are excellent. My concern is the unforgiving, unmoving discipline policy that is sometimes 100% unfair. They can suspend a kid with no proof of anything and nobody will return your calls of protest. So if you have a kid who can't walk the straight line 100% of the time- watch out. They discipline severly and permanently for looking at someone wrong.”

“This school has an inattentive, apathetic administration. I was disappointed in the lack of professionalism and apathy of about a third of my teachers. On the other hand, the school's renovations are very nice, and some teachers make going to class enjoyable. Based on the cost of tuition and the quality of the education I received from this school, I definitely would not recommend attending.”

“I attend MD and I think that it is a great high school. I wouldn't want to go anywhere else. The sports program is great and so is the academic programs. The students at MD have a lot of school spirit. I haven't seen any other school with as much school spirit as we do. Everyone here is so nice, the teachers and the students. It's kind of like have a second family. I feel like I belong here. When I came in my freshman year, I felt very welcomed. The pep rallies are great. The teachers, students, and parents are very involved in the school activities. The academic courses are quite challenging but I find that good. I'm always learning new things and the teachers are always inspiring me to do better. MD is a great school! I love it here!”

“This school is only good for athletes. Academically it is sub-par. My daughter who is now in college is having to take remedial English courses to overcome the MD shortcomings. She graduated with a 3.4 GPA yet she was never encouraged to take AP courses. For the money, it is not an academically sound education. One daughter had to take another language course. We thought our kids would be given a better opportunity to get into one of the better colleges, but she was not accepted at anything better than a state university. On the positive side, MD gives students a great environment. There is a great deal of school pride. But I don't think that is enough to justify the cost.”

“Mater Dei High School is a wonderful Catholic school with a strong academic curriculum. It offers all the core subjects as well as a vast array of extracurricular activities. Mater Dei teachers are very devoted to teaching. Additionally, students are disciplined and given red slips if they misbehave or are out of line. Overall, I believe Mater Dei provides a quality education which gets one ready for college and above.”

“This school is really great”

“Great school for athletes and motivated kids. Strict discipline for those who need it.”

“I believe this is one of the best catholic high schools in the nation! My two sons both attended school here and loved it! They got a great education and were both very involved in football! They are a Good program and the school is great!”

“Extremely high quality in academics and sports programs. High percentage goes to college and many goes to highly rated private colleges and UC schools. Parents are encouraged to volunteer as well as students to the school activities, and students are required to do 80 hours of community service in order to graduate. Every year, they hold a Special Olympics which is run by the students themselves. I highly recommend it. Unfortunately, also expensive.”

“Mdhs was 4 of the greatest years of my life. The teachers were great, I learned so much and at the same time I had a lot of fun. Academecally mdhs prepared me for everything that I am experiencing now. College is actually easier then being at mdhs. I was a student athlete at mdhs and I still am at the collegiant level. I learned how to work hard in and out of the class room because that is what is expected from you at mdhs. The parents I think are the ones that make everything possible at this school. Every dance, dinner, lunch, and atheletic event is made possible because of the parents. They are so involved in everything that we do. Mater dei high school is school with a lot of pride and I am still proud to say that I am a monarch.”

“Academics for the most part are very, very good. The school really focuses on getting your student into the college he/she chooses. There is great comradere. Teaching of the Bible and emphasizing it's standards is poor. I expected much more.”

“I'm not a parent - I taught there for 10 years. MD is a great school overall - superior teachers and administration - Parents are very involved. High level of participation in sports/extracurriculars - best for average to high level students.”

“I haven't had first hand experience with this school but my niece and nephew go here. Their parent love this school.the exteacurricular activities are great. Teacher prepare student well for university.”

“Also known, as the athletic 'nemesis' to Long Beach Poly. Coach Bruce Rollinson definitely has Jerry Jaso's number.”

“Is one of the Best High School in OC. Has a great balance of different backgrow of students. The school motivates to be focus to go to college. Has a great curriculum for students to be exposure to diferents subjects (Sports, social work and cultural). The students in general are polite and respect the rules of the school. The studens has a great suport system that help them to achive the goals that they spect. The oportunity for parent involment is great and you get to make great friends. Also is a school with support system for the parents. The spiritual feling in the school is great does not goes to the stremes is just real and great. I am thankful that I have the oportunity to have mu dauther enroled in Mater Dei. Elvira Diaz.”

“This is an outstanding environment for kids. The education is not superior, but the atmosphere is phenomenal. Compared to area public schools MD lacks in elective course variety, honors coursework and total of Advanced Placement options. The teachers are not all state certified, and some are not of the highest quality. Some seem only to be concerned with how long they can make a final exam. (ie: religion final exam included 175 questions to be completed in 60 minutes). A positive aspect is how MD handles personnel needs. When a counselor was needed last year (due to the large freshmen class) they just hired one without hesitation. Overall, the school is a very good educational environment. It is the best environment you can buy, but students can get a better education at area public schools. Our daughter is extremely happy at MD, but our other children will go elsewhere.”

“Our daughter graduated in 1994 and went on graduate from USC. MD truly prepared her for college. MD also provided varied extracurricular activities. MD was a great experience for her and was a time of personal and intellectual growth. She developed good social skills as well as good study habits. She is a wondeful accomplished young lady. MD was worth every penny.”

“Great environment for students! M.D. manages to bring a college prep education while also bringing values, discipline, community awareness, with a sense of family and pride to the students. And of course, just for fun--outstanding athletic programs.”

“As a former student I can say that I had an amazing four years at Mater Dei. The social scene is very open and friendly, the school spirit is fun but not over the top, and the academics are outstanding. I am now attending a great four year university because of the great teachers I had at Mater Dei. (I highly recommend taking the French program--Madame Andtink is the best teacher I've ever had)”

“A truly outstanding overall experience for my son in every sense: academically, morally, athletically, socially, and in adult citizenship and stewardship. Mater Dei made my son a better person, and I got real value for the $8,000/year tuition and athletic expenses. This is the best statement any parent can make about a school. Highly recommended without reservation.”

“Excellent extracurricular activities while giving the students a college prep education.”