As a parent of a student who currently attends MD, it's a great school for academic. the teachers and school faculty are very supportive. BUT if you are coming here for football and you don't fit the vision of the coaches then look at other schools. There is a reason why they are #1 in the nation. Their top players are transferred in not groomed at MD. Don't expect to be coached, parents be ready to pay for private coaches or your son will experience feeling like a worthless human from coaches to players forcing them to just quit. So putting football aside, it's a great school. read more

As a parent of 2 Mater Dei students, one currently enrolled and the other recently graduated, all I can express is my gratitude to Mater Dei for building such a strong foundation for my children. The Faculty & Staff work tirelessly to support the students in every aspect of their education in the classroom and in life. There is such a positive energy on campus that is contagious in all areas of the school. I appreciate Mater Dei's focus on engagement and helping students find a place for themselves with endless opportunities through student clubs, athletics, performing arts, and much more. Mater Dei is a tight knit, faith-filled, diverse community that has become our Monarch family. They have prepared my children to be the best version of themselves and instilled a confidence in them that I know will continue to help them succeed in the future. Thank you Mater Dei! read more

hi im a sophomore here all my teachers are great except some teachers i mean every school has some bad teachers but thie one has thie so good read more

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Good school. Good history. Good values. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to put their kids in a challenging warm environment. read more

am a student who attends mater Dei and I have had the worst experience here. The teachers are fine but the staff and people who work in the office are the most condescending , rude, and impolite people I have ever met. They are the definition of power trippers and do not care about your well being at all. The Monarch motto is "honor, glory, love" but you will never ever experience this treatment from any staff. This school tries to covers up sexual harassment, bullying, hazing, and so much more. Unless you are a star varsity football player do NOT go here. You will be treated so differently. Staff will directly mock you to your face if you have a question that they do not know the answer to. read more

Wow what an amazing school. I can't believe people are writing reviews because the parking lot wasn't big enough at a sporting event. what does that have to do with the school anyways really. The fact is latter-day is a first class education it's the only place you should send your kid to you if you wanted to go to a decent college. It's the right way to go unfortunately it's expensive but it's facilities are incredible. I'm trying to get my kid to go here next year he's just got a pass the entrance exam. Went to the open house and explain to us how it's all about prepping the kids to go to college. In my experience there's nothing better than sending your kid to a school where everybody is in the same boat we all want to go to a good college. Seems like every kid that goes here has the same objective of doing well in life. read more

Mater Dei High School - Lacrosse practice - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Santa Ana, California

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My mom who was raised a Catholic requested my two younger kids attend this High School, they were basketball players and that was the premier high school for their sport, but the students there were RICH kids from wealthy families (the sports fund raisers for the boys varsity basketball team yearly had ten of thousands of dollars raised by parents bidding on trips to everywhere from Hawaii to varsity basketball trips during the season) if you had enough money to get your son on varsity (and still he may not play if he's not a"star" NCAA prospect.) I heard multiple times from my varsity daughter a guy going there told her to bring a condom if they were going to meet, his name was Darius, my son kept seeing all the Ferrais and Lamborginis driven, ownened by wealthy parents, to school and repeatedly asked for a new car, which I couldn't afford, unless you can keep up witb the Jones (who are apparently rich people who live in Newport Beach and have a large boat their kid can film they're Spanish trip abroad in on their rented iPad) this school corrupts poor kids thinking they are on the same economic level... Public high school would have been a better choice in hind sight, after they barely got their diplomas from MDHS. Choose wisely where you're children attend High School! read more

I can't believe I'm yelping a highschool but here goes... While I am Catholic, and I was brought up with parents wanting the best for me, I would think twice before bringing my child to this school. I have since graduated many years ago, but my present stance on life can in no way be attributed to the school I went to. If your child is into football or basketball and is athletic then by all means bring them here, allow them to be scouted, teach them about opportunities. However, just because they attend this school it does not mean a guarantee or success in life. Highschool is difficult for any teenager but to be faced with morally corrupt faculty and obvious favoritism is just diabolical. I remember getting detention for not tucking my shirt a number of times and yet the one who should be punished are the faculty who sold pot to their students...(some have left since but still!) The detention room had old posters that stated "Pet your dog not your date." Yet here was an assistant football coach doing more than petting his students. I remember the counselor being unusually affectionate with me as he toured me around the highschool. He already exhausted the hug quota I set for anyone, later on that sophomore year I found out that he was being inappropriate with a student who ended up complaining about him to administration. What did they do to him? They let him go and brushed the sordid details under the rug. As a student, I felt like I had no rights. During my first week of school someone somehow managed to get into my locker and spray paint some graffitti. I went to the Deans' Office to complain but got yelled at for even entering the door. I wanted to cry, the only consolation I got was the Girls' Dean asking me what happened. Basically she listened to me but gave me some cleanser to clean up my own locker. My previous private school was not like that at all. In fact they were more accomodating than this over priced school. I asked old classmates why they went to school there. Some said their parents wanted them to stay out of trouble. Some said that it looked good in college transcripts. I still remember the gray halls, the gray walls, the security that was of no use. I remember the hot summers and the use of trailers as classrooms. I remember the drunk priest and how he threw the book against the wall. Fast forward and I hear even more gruesome details that sadden me. Maybe there really isn't any real protection for our children nowadays. I have a teen aged niece and I worry and hope that she knows injustice and learns to speak out and not turn the other way if abuse is witnessed. I pray that she never feels afraid to speak out. I pray that she turns out to be a decent human being...and the more I see her grow the more I know she's a good egg. You don't have to be in a religious funded school to hope your kid doesn't screw up. You can start first by leading by example. You can be in their lives more. You can have a sincere active interest in them. You can be less judgmental. You can teach them about opportunities. Teach them to think for themselves and decipher social injustices. Ask them to ponder their purpose in life. After all, school is training ground for what's out there in real life when they have to learn how to support themselves. read more

I'm a proud MD grad and parent. I have great memories from my days at MD, and now am seeing my kids doing the same. Great academic opportunities for the students, fabulous sports programs and now this year they have incorporated IPads into their daily curriculum! I've observed first hand that the students are being groomed into respectful and faith filled young adults! A great school! A great academic program! And lots of great opportunities for the students! Go Monarchs!! read more

ight so i attended this school i jus graduated and i'm ngl unless you're cj williams or any top football player you will get different treatment then the normal person, they lowkey bias to the normal students. i never seen any of em doin they homework but yet they got 4.0 is all ight it's a good school, the teachers don't really give a fucc but ima keep it a bucc it's a chill school lowkey dark sometimes could use some renovations. it's an alright environment got mad students which is chill but the dean and teachers ain't the best to talk to and the counselor ain't the best. if it's any bad reviews it's prolly the people who kaint afford tuition but overall it's a good school, i would prolly not send my kid here unless he plays football and gets free like i did. if u got money then send yo kid here all the rich kids be goin here ngl they be chillin kinda show offs but it's chill they got they own groups. read more

Two daughters graduated from here. Good school that will work with parents to create the best experience for their kid. A lot has changed at MD and foe the best! read more

Mater Dei continues to provide so many wonderful opportunities for students to get involved. I was thrilled to see the Fall Concert this year despite Covid-19 restrictions. They did not miss a beat. It was so well performed by all. Faculty, Staff and students worked so hard to continue this tradition despite quarantine limitations. This is my second child at the school and she is thriving in Lacrosse, Choir, and Academia. I highly recommend the.school. I am always so impressed when I call I always get a person who picks up the phone. Provides me with necessary information is patient and courteous. They treat everyone like family and want to assure their Monarchs success. read more

SO proud to be a MD family. They did an AMAZING job putting on an actual graduation ceremony for the Seniors. It was a well planned, smoothly ran and well orchestrated ceremony. There were zero problems or glitches during our ceremony. No bottleneck of traffic entering or exiting the parking lot. It wasn't a long drawn out ceremony. There were principal speakers who were inspiring and succinct. Not only are they doing it for one smaller group of graduates but the select staff and administration put on this commencement SIX TIMES in two days. They put their time, energy and love into this for their students because they know how hard these Seniors have worked this year to have their year cut short and they know how devastated and disappointed they would be without having a graduation to celebrate their accomplishments and to close out their high school experience. They adhered to the social distancing guidelines during the entire outdoor ceremony. Each family stayed in their car and every other parking space apart, Seniors were spaced 6 feet apart and EVERYONE wore masks as they waited and as they walked to the podium to get recognized. Security ensured everyone was adhering to the guidelines at all times. They had 2 large TV screens displayed for the entire parking lot to view AND the school live streamed the events for all family and friends across the state and country to watch. It was wonderful to experience watch it with Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, friends etc. at the same time. Under the circumstances and with COVID-19 looming this experience was more than I expected. THANK YOU Mater Dei for giving the students and their families the most amazing graduation, especially during this unprecedented time. GO MONARCHS! read more

HAHHAHA A LOT OF THESE REVIEWS ARE Comedy, white privileged ass people complaining about crap

Mater Dei is a FABULOUS SCHOOL! I'm sorry some people on here had bad experiences, but it shouldn't take away from the spirit of love and kindness that I experience every day in this campus. The teacher's are knowledgeable and sometimes bend over backwards to help kids out. Some get to school super early to accommodate kids who can't come after school because of sports practices. The sports are great here and so are the majority of the coaches. You go the practice and put in the time and sweat--you get the fruits of your labor. Academics here challenge you, which for what you pay for, makes sense. Great school and mostly great people! I'm hoping to send my kids here one day. read more

As a graduate of MDHS, Class of 1970, and as a teacher for adults with Special Needs, I can tell you that all schools have their share of problems. My dad always said, it's what you make of your opportunity that counts in the long run. I had some great teachers and some that I cannot even remember. Most importantly, I gained an insight to social justice and had a solid education! Mater Dei is a family not only to the sports minded but to everyone if you open the door. I will always cherish the lifelong friends that I made. In fact, we are more involved with each other today as adults than separated by cliques as teens. read more

Fields look great. The parking lot is sucky. The abundance of security personnel make you feel...uh...safe?? The end. read more

I have 2 daughters attending Mater Dei. One is about to graduate and the other is a sophomore. In the 4 years we have been with Mater Dei I can honestly say it is the best investment I have ever made on my girls. The attention to detail, excellent and rigorous academics, amazing teachers, sports exposure and training is world class (both my daughters played soccer and ran track) contrary to some beliefs my girls were able to enjoy their sports and by no means are or were super athletes. Also on the spiritual side they learned to have a balance of a closeness to God but by no means are they pressured to be Catholic, they embrace all religions but this is Catholic school so you are exposed more to the Catholic religion. The beauty all of this is how much Mater Dei gives back to our communities in so many different ways my senior alone has volunteered more than 600 hrs to our community by doing charity, leadership, helping kids with special needs. I truly believe this has helped my daughters become better, kinder giving, citizens and has helped them develop a strong sense of being and great self esteem. Best part this spring is that my senior graduating daughter was accepted to 5 Universities, UCLA, Texas Tech, Arizona State University, UC Merced and University of San Diego. After visiting all the schools we are in the final stages of deciding wether we go to USD or UCLA (depends on how much Financial Aid we receive from the schools :) Bottom line if your kid is ready for an amazing busy, fun High School Journey then Mater Dei is the school for you.l Here is a 2018 both my daughters are in College now. My oldest is starting her Junior year as University of San Diego and my youngest who just graduated was accepted to Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, Chapman an USC. She accepted an academic scholarship to USC. Again Thank you Mater Dei for helping my girls reach their dreams and potential, I will miss all the fun we had but will stay involved, Go Monarchs! read more

Y'all this may be a good education but I'm irrate (thank you membean, best part of my education) right now.... they told me I started at 8:20 yesterday so I planned accordingly. I even missed breakfast. Now I'm sitting in the parking lot and I'm told that we are starting at 8:45. So disorganized "Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children." (ezekiel 25) read more

Please don't send your teenagers here, because Mater Dei coaches, teachers, and administrators are all hypocrites, who care nothing about their students' well-beings, but do their best by lying to protect the school's reputation! I also agree with all posted negative reviews about this expensive and deteriorating Catholic private high school. In fact, many STEM teachers here are lazy and heartless who enjoy failing their students on the final exams which usually worth about 15% of their classes' final grades. In addition, the majority of Mater Dei administrators and staffs here are rude people and discriminatory bullies against their Asian parents and students, since Asians Americans students are in deed the minority students here! Furthermore, Mater Dei quality of education is going down the hill recently as result of its very high turnover rate of teachers yearly. Therefore, my children were transferred out of this school, and are getting much better education at no cost from a bigger public high school nearby, avoid MD! read more

What a magnificent facility. Only the second time I have ever seen a game here. State of the art and rivals many college facilities. read more

Mater Dei High School - CIF playoff basketball. - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Santa Ana, California

Don't be fool by this school name because Mater Dei's quality of education is going down the hill! First, Mater Dei's tuition keeps going up yearly even during these pandemic school years. In addition, there are more MD holidays, more noon dismissal days, more late start 9am and early dismissal days every week throughout this school year. Moreover, there are also free times like office hours and advisory hours twice EVERY week for students to fool around the campus during school days. Therefore, the actual amount of learning hours experienced by all students at Mater Dei is getting smaller this year comparing to that of last year. In addition, Mater Dei staffs and teachers did not bother to enforce the 3 inch-traditional Catholic schools uniforms rule and let their female students wear very short, sexy skirts that are more than 3 inches above the knees showing off their long legs to everyone daily at this private Catholic high school. Furthermore, Mater Dei's black PE shorts for female students are much shorter and more revealing than the Hooter's shorts! And the school leaders also let their male students have very long hairs touching their ears and eyebrows. All Mater Dei staffs and leaders care about is how to squeeze lots of money out of their parents and students by increasing all their school fees and tuitions every year to maximize the school's profits. In summary, I would NOT ever recommend this expensive private Catholic high school to anyone, because it is not worth almost $20,000 per year for its tuition fees and books. read more

Came to the Nike Extravaganza to watch my son play basketball. Wish someone would have notified us of the awful gym....paid to see my son play, had not idea what General Admission meant--it means you get to see the tops of everyone's head in the top rows and not the game. Terrible! Won't come here again! read more

Mater Dei High School - This is the view General Admission gets you of the court - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Santa Ana, California

I am an alum, and I graduated within the last decade. So, this review is somewhat relevant... Maybe it was luck, or maybe it was me, but I had the best experience. It was everything I could have hoped for in high school. I would like to point out that I don't have a single athletic bone in my body (very grateful for only having to do 1 semester of PE). I never felt ignored, or whatever it was some of the other people wrote. They have a great music program, a fun theater program, lots of opportunities for academic advancement and a great art program. It is well rounded. Yes, it is a catholic school, so if that was your issue...move on, you shouldn't have signed up for it. I met my best friends here, friends I will have for the rest of my life, and one of them is Buddhist! Her parents chose to send her because of the exceptional education she received. "High school is what you make of it." Yes, this is true, but I can tell you that Mater Dei has something extra, something you won't find at a public high school. I loved it here, and I have every intention of sending my own children here. I went to school here because I chose it. No one made me. I know that there have been students who were molested here, I never experienced any of that, nor did anyone I know. But don't let that be the reason you choose against this school. I challenge you to find a school that hasn't had a similar incident. I want to protect my child and keep her safe, and I honestly feel that MD is the best place to do it.. Also, I'm not wealthy. I came here on financial aid, and my mom sacrificed other things to afford MD. I appreciated it very much and I never felt out of place. read more

School for getting into d1 colleges but if you dont play sports then dont go here

Mater Dei is a phenomenal place in terms of an athletic/academic balance. They offer only the best in everything to their students and my son is very happy there. My main complaint is that, for us, theft is a major problem...especially teammates stealing from teammates...worse than I have ever seen at a public school. We were surprised to find there is no Honor Code, there is inadequate security and measures to prevent theft and there is in many cases incomplete follow-up on investigations or prosecution, when compared to other top private high schools in the area. In particular, the theft of IPads has been a challenge and, when you pay $500 for an IPad that is mandated by the school for its students, it is a big disappointment when they are stolen by classmates or, even more unsettling, by teammates. As great as the school is, a student should not let their guard down much less ever turn their back on a backpack, IPad, a phone or a wallet and presume it will be there when they turn back around. read more

Definitely the best school in Santa ana and all orange county this is the place you want your kid to attend all other schools in Santa ana are full of gangs beautiful campus and staff and teachers are all professionals. read more

I graduated from Mater Dei way back when! I loved it--I live with my mom and her new boyfriend Chris--I hate that guy--he graduated a few years before me. Anyway--I'll never forget my time here, along with the excellent education I recieved. I'm a proud sci-fi enthusiast, model maker and home chef for my lovely mother. Every time I walk in my bedroom, I tap the mater Dei poster above the door--It keeps me going. I work at a gas station now but love every second of it. I thank God every day for the gift of life. read more

I absolutely loved attending Mater Dei and becoming an alumni. Such an amazing school with great teachers, athletics, and extracurricular activities. I always love telling people that I went to Mater Dei and feel so proud to have been able to attend and graduate from there. read more

I've had three and soon to be four kids that attended and graduated from Mater Dei. There's not a better school around for everything you'd want your child to have for their high school experience. Academics are second to none. Athletics are legendary and nationally renown. Fall football tailgate parties are "collegesque"! Everyone is welcome, not just the athletes parents. Basketball games are raucous. The physical plant is dated in some areas and state of the art in other areas. The school continually endeavors to update the older areas. I only wished my parents had let me go there back in the 70's. read more

I can't really comment on the school because I never came here but I could tell you I've been here for a few basketball games and they're very exciting always a good time read more

I don't care what anyone says, this school has CHANGED MY LIFE. I was as skeptical as the next person coming into this school, but have left it a better person. As a religious person, trust me when I say that Mater Dei neither shoves religion down people's throats nor does it completely abandon it. I concur with every other reviewer that if the Catholicism part is just too much to bear they should go somewhere else. Furthermore, to all those who recount nothing but horror-sorries about drugs and bad faculty, the school has cracked down on drugs and deviant faculty. I've never felt more safe than I have at Mater Dei. We get random drug tests and breathalyzer checks at every dance. I've been in many encounters with the Deans for various reasons and it is always cordial and reasonable. The rules are clear, the consequences clearer. I honestly feel 90% of the people who hate MD are simply those who have a bone to pick with the Deans, because they didn't want to follow the dress code. It's not that difficult. I've gone four years and only served one detention which was painless and quickly gotten over with. The school offers various ways to serve a detention to fit one's schedule. The school also has a comprehensive anti-bullying campaign with a tip-text service to report bullies, which since 2009 (when my older cousin went to MD) has drastically changed the culture there, so that I can confidently say that, as a non-sports person, I have not been bullied and I know NO ONE who has been bullied since I arrived at MD in 2012. In fact, it's another myth that sports is the only thing that matters. No doubt, that culture is HUGE, but Performing Arts is a powerhouse in its own right. It is through performing arts that I have had so many opportunities as a minority kid in Santa Ana presented to me that I would NOT have gotten at a public school. 1/4 Kids at Mater Dei is in the Choir program alone and it's become common place for athletes to straddle performing arts and theatre. It's COOL to be in performing arts at Mater Dei and the school gives us the respect we deserve and the administration is so supportive of the arts. Academically, the school offers some awesome AP courses that have truly challenged me as well as some of the best honors classes. The College Prep classes I have taken are decent enough. The counsellors are amazingly helpful, and I wouldn't have made it into college without them being on my back 24/7 about deadlines. The Campus Ministry is absolutely something special. The people there really care about the spiritual well-being of all students and the service opportunities are always enlightening: the crown of MD retreats, Walk in Faith, is a must-do regardless of how religious you are. At every step of my High School journey, Mater Dei has opened doors for me; exposed me to experiences and opportunities other public and private schools in Santa Ana couldn't. I've done everything but sports there and I've had a blast and frankly I cry sometimes when I think of the things I've accomplished at that great school. It deserves its name because it has earned it. The financial aide is generous and that's never been a problem for me going there, who has benefited from it greatly. The people at MD are truly family and it feels like family. I will definitely send my kids there one day. Don't listen to the haters and grumblers, so many of the issues they bring up about MD are superficial, specious, and inconsequential to most kid's experiences there. It's been nothing but a blast for me. That's not to say there aren't cliquish groups and gossip circles who create there own scandals, but they don't represent all of the school. I can sympathize with those who think the athletes are snobbish and privileged, but I have so many down-to-earth sports friends who remind me they are not all that way. All sorts of people come to Mater Dei, including me. There is a place for everyone no matter what walk of life or disability or race or whatever! read more

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Horrible school and environment unless you are a top athlete who has potential to be a professional athlete. If you are then you get to enjoy perks like never failing a class and never getting drug tested and pretty much all other things that would prevent you from playing in a game. read more

I went here for a year, then I moved to Texas and I now attend bullard highschool. I'm so glad I left mater dei. This is honestly the worst school you could put your kid in. The only thing great about this school is the sports. But even if you played a sport, youd have to be AMAZING at it, otherwise, you won't get any attention. The sports are way overpriced. For example, football is nearly $2k and volleyball is $1k? No thank you. The only good thing about playing sports is meeting new people. But you'd have to luck out to find the right group of friends. This school has brainwashed kids to be people they aren't. 90% of the people here are all snotty and think they're hot shit because they're rich or good looking. If you're neither of those, GOODLUCK AT THIS SCHOOL. I had tons of friends, I was practically friends with everyone, but the environment is so unhealthy and turns you into someone you aren't...before coming to mater dei they say that everyone is a family, when in reality, this school is so clicky but not by ethnicity or clubs but by how rich and good looking you are. Next..the academics is terrible...they do have a lot of college prep classes and all but whats the point of taking these classes?! All the teachers here SUCK. None of them are helpful, none of them even care about their students. Half of them don't even teach well, and I guarantee you'd get a better education at a ANY other highschool, public or private..this school does drug testings here and there but truth is..every person they call to the office doesn't even do drugs! They call the wrong people. And this school is stupid to not realize that half their students carry around fake pee to use for their drug testing! Open your eyes stupid ass deans. Next..they have a lot ot clubs at mdhs but none of the clubs do shit. You waste your money paying them. It's a scam. Theres no meetings, no walks for breast cancer, NOTHING. I hate this school with a Passion and it ruined my year of highschool that I will not be able to take back. The only reason this school is still open is because of sports, otherwise this school is shit. I want my money back. read more

This High School is a joke. It saddens me that alumni that went here send their kids here because they are under the impression that the school is as good as it was when they went. No, it's not. You might be thinking, "OH, THIS IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL, IF MY KID GOES HERE HE'S GONNA GROW UP TO BE A GOOD PERSON@@!" No, that's not the case. For approximately 10,000 a year, your child will receive an education equivalent to, or worse to, the average public school. Religion classes here are a joke. The majority of classes here are just tons of busy work, and the teachers are paid to read off of powerpoint slides. I can say with confidence at least 25% percent of the kids here are atheist/agnostic. Not even kidding. Also, as widely known, this school ONLY cares about athletics. They throw in a rally having to do with the arts and academics twice a year, to give the impression that they actually care about things other than athletics. Please, send your child to another school. I guarantee they will have a better experience there. read more