Transform
Work Based Learning
Mater Dei’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) initiative transforms education by connecting classroom learning with real-world experience. Through internships, job shadowing, and apprenticeships, students gain hands-on insight into future careers while developing the confidence, skills, and professionalism to thrive beyond graduation.
Why It Matters
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Aligns with Indiana’s new Graduation Pathways requirements
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Encourages career exploration and early college readiness
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Builds employability skills and professional connections
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Strengthens community partnerships
Our Progress
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Over 50% of the Class of 2026 participates in WBL
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25+ business partnerships and growing
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Dedicated Work-Based Learning Coordinator and new HUB collaboration space
“The Job Shadowing program at Mater Dei has had a profound impact on my life. It provided me with the unique opportunity to shadow experienced professionals in the field I plan to pursue, accounting and finance. One individual who particularly sparked my interest was Zach Zirkelbach. I first met Zach at our school’s career fair, and he has been an incredible contact ever since. Despite his busy schedule, he is always willing to help, and it’s inspiring to know someone further along in their career is eager to support someone just starting out. I had the privilege of shadowing Zach at Ascension, where he thoroughly explained his role as the CFO. His willingness to share his knowledge and experience made me feel more confident in my chosen career path."
- Chase Griese ‘25
Band Space Expansion
Our award-winning band program has grown to more than 70 high school and 120 feeder members—but our facilities haven’t kept pace. Currently housed behind the main gym’s original brick wall, students practice shoulder-to-shoulder in cramped quarters, carrying heavy instruments up narrow stairs and storing valuable equipment off site.
A new band space will transform this reality.
A dedicated, acoustically designed facility will give our musicians room to rehearse, perform, and flourish safely. Beyond practice, this multipurpose space will serve as a hub for creative collaboration and community gatherings—where sound, spirit, and excellence thrive side by side.
Band Benefits
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Provides room for full ensembles, proper sound distribution, and eliminates the risks of cramped, improvised practice areas.
- Accommodates a growing program, protects valuable instruments, and allows musicians to fully focus on learning and performance.
- Serves as a multipurpose facility for gatherings, additional practice, and creative opportunities beyond the band program.
The Solution
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Create a dedicated, properly equipped band space that supports safety, growth, and musical excellence.
- Use the space as a multipurpose facility for additional gatherings and practice space on campus.
“A new facility would provide the space and resources necessary to support the growth and success of our music program, allowing students to fully develop their God-given talents. Improved acoustics, storage, and rehearsal facilities would enhance our program, leading to higher performance quality. It would create a safe and organized space where students can grow not only as musicians, but as faithful members of our community.”
- Allison Field, Band Director
The Solution: Build an activity center that will be split into dedicated spaces for band and athletic training.
Athletic Training Addition
The Vision
An indoor turf facility ensures every student-athlete has the opportunity to train, grow, and compete at their best —no matter the season. This investment reflects our commitment to providing the tools needed for success both on and off the field.
Challenges
- Outdoor practices are often canceled or cut short due to rain, heat, or freezing temperatures.
- Limited indoor space forces teams to share gyms, reducing practice quality and time.
- Overuse of outdoor fields accelerates wear-and-tear, requiring costly maintenance.
- Student-athletes lack consistent off-season training opportunities.
"An indoor athletic facility would give our 38 teams more space and flexibility to practice and train. As indoor facilities become increasingly common in Southern Indiana high school athletics, this one would help our student-athletes reach their full potential and prepare for success on and off the field."
- Sam Fleming, Athletic Director
More Access
Added Parking
With nearly 400 current spaces, our parking lots often exceed capacity during evenings filled with extracurricular activities, athletics, and performances— resulting in people parking illegally, which also creates safety concerns.
As more sophomores earn their driver's licenses throughout the year, the parking lot exceeds capacity. Additionally, as enrollment grows, we need more parking spaces.
The Solution
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The addition of nearly 100 new parking spaces in front of the school, above the existing teardrop drive will increase parking by 25%.
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Cemetery Relocation: We plan to relocate the Civil War-era gravesites with dignity and reverence, ensuring they are respectfully reinterred in a more suitable final resting place at St. Joseph Cemetery, in accordance with Catholic tradition and diocesan guidelines.
6 Lane Track
Adding a track around the Boots-Baumann Football Field was a visionary project from the Full of Grace campaign that took place in 2012. We are so excited to make this track a reality!
Benefits
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Earlier practice time and keeps students on campus
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Host duel meets
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More partner school opportunities
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Support conditioning and cross-training for other sports
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Encourage daily fitness activities for students beyond athletics
Emergency Access Road
In order to meet legal and safety requirements but also prioritize the well-being of our students, staff, and guests, we plan to construct a new service road around the football field to allow access to the north side of the building.
Benefits
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Ensure emergency vehicles can reach every part of campus quickly and efficiently
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Preserve the new track by reducing wear and tear from equipment transport
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Improve overall campus accessibility and functionality
“Staff and athletes are extremely excited about the installation of a six-lane all-weather track with full field event areas. Students can now head straight to practice after school instead of traveling elsewhere. The new facilities allow athletes to train earlier, host meets, and offer opportunities for feeder schools through practices, camps, and cub teams. Like our turf field, the track will benefit all sports by allowing all teams to get accurate sprint and distance times for fitness testing and conditioning opportunities.”
- Roseann Wilson, Track & Field Head Coach