Explore Mater Dei

Choosing a high school is a big decision. The four years spent in high school - from age 14 to 18 years old - are some of the most formative years in a young person's life. Bigger school, new friends, challenging classes, learning to drive, starting to date, learning/questioning their faith, becoming an adult...all of these life experiences form in high school.

At Mater Dei, we pride ourselves in the atmosphere that exists beyond the bricks and mortar of our building. The atmosphere of learning, service, and family has been fine-tuned for more than 70 years. We are a faith-based high school with a safe environment and Catholic education.

Spiritual

While Mater Dei High School is a Catholic school, those of other religious backgrounds are always welcome! The contributions and questions of students from other beliefs and traditions benefit everyone involved.

Faith-centered activities in which students participate include student prayer, penance services, retreat days, and liturgical services.

The atmosphere at Mater Dei fosters pride and self-worth in each individual. The ability to exert self-discipline is expected. Students are treated with respect and dignity. A student/teacher ratio of approximately 14 to 1 allows for individual attention to students and a close relationship between the factulty, staff and students of Mater Dei.

Christianity is not merely an intellectual activity-it is a way of life. With this in mind, Mater Dei has developed a four-year service program that challenges our students to reach beyond themselves and to touch the lives of others. Students are required to contribute at least 12 hours of service per year.

Academic

Mater Dei High School is accredited by the Indiana Department of Education and Cognia. Approximately 97% of our graduates enroll in college. Mater Dei has been rated a 4-star school and received an "A" rating by the Indiana Department of Education since 2011.

Our strong academic program includes the following:

Advanced Placement courses in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Business, and Fine Arts
Dual Credit courses through the University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech
58% of faculty have their Master's Degree, including 100% of Math teachers
World language program offering German and Spanish
Business-oriented courses
Academic and career counseling at all grade levels
Career and technical courses are offered through a shared-time program with the public school system
Opportunities in study skills
Academic communication and progress to both students and parents through PowerSchool

Social

While growing spiritually and academically, students also need the opportunity to develop socially and physically. Students are strongly encouraged to become well-rounded individuals by interacting with others in a variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, and during lunch (in a no phone zone) which serve as an extension of an exemplary educational program.

Academically, Mater Dei offers a challenging curriculum that requires more motivation and critical thinking on the part of the students. Furthermore, Mater Dei provides classroom environments where students feel comfortable approaching their teachers with questions to better themselves as students. This facet of the curriculum, in turn, helps instill the qualities of accountability and leadership in the students.

- Bill and Julia Kunkler

Admission Policy

Mater Dei High School realizes that a student body with varying backgrounds (racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and geographic) provides a full educational experience for all students. Thus, Mater Dei admits students of any color, racial or ethnic origin, or faith, to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally made available to students at the school.

Although we try to serve the needs of all types of learners, we may not have the necessary resources to accommodate certain learning disabilities and difficulties. If the school becomes aware of additional information after the student has been admitted that impacts the school's ability to provide service to the student, the school reserves the right to change its admission decision.