Back to Mater Dei High School
Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Admissions

When using the Shadow A Monarch program, can I request a host specifically from a niche extracurricular

The Shadow A Monarch program at Mater Dei High School allows prospective students to request hosts based on their specific interests, including niche extracurricular activities.

Requesting a Specific Host

You have two options to be paired with a host:

  • Direct Request: If you know a current Mater Dei student in good standing, you can request to shadow them directly.
  • Interest-Based Pairing: If you do not have a specific student in mind, you can fill out the official shadow form indicating your interests in particular activities, subjects, or sports. The school will then pair you with a host involved in those areas.
Additional Information

For more details, you can visit the official Shadow A Monarch page or contact the Admissions Office directly at shadowprogram@materdei.org or by calling (714) 754-1175 for specific inquiries regarding niche extracurriculars.

Recent questions at Mater Dei High School

maranorst
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Financial aid

When will we receive notification if our student was awarded one of the merit-based scholarships

Families can expect to receive notifications regarding merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen at Mater Dei High School in February 2026. This applies to students who have been officially accepted to the school.

Scholarship Notification Dates

The following scholarships will have their notifications released in February 2026:

  • Principal's Scholarship
  • President's Scholarship
  • Heart of Santa Ana Scholarship
  • Alumni Heritage Fund Grant
Important Note

Families who submitted their Tuition Assistance applications by the December 8, 2025 deadline will receive notifications about general admissions and need-based grants in January 2026, prior to the merit scholarship notifications. For more details on eligibility and application processes, you can visit the Mater Dei High School Scholarships page.

couchCaution
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Financial aid

Since 50% of students receive financial aid, what are the options for 12-month tuition payment plans to manage the $20k+ annual commitment? Thxx

To assist families with the financial commitment of tuition, Mater Dei High School provides several payment options, including a 12-month plan that allows for equal monthly payments throughout the year.

Tuition Payment Plans

The available plans include:

  • 12-Month Plan: Equal monthly payments spread over the year.
  • 10-Month Plan: Payments from July through April, ideal for families of seniors.
  • Semi-Annual Plan: Two payments due in June and December.
  • Annual Plan: A single payment due by the end of June.
Enrollment Process

Families can manage their payment plans through an online portal. Enrollment typically begins in early June or during the registration window starting in January. Additionally, for those needing further financial flexibility, Mater Dei partners with Your Tuition Solution to offer fixed-rate student tuition loans without pre-payment penalties.

For more detailed information, visit the Mater Dei Tuition and Fees page.

LAbreq
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Academics

How does the school manage the NCAA Eligibility Center process for multi-sport athletes to ensure their 12th-grade course load meets college-bound certification?

Mater Dei High School (MDHS) employs a comprehensive approach to assist multi-sport athletes in navigating the NCAA Eligibility Center process, particularly during their senior year. This process is overseen by a dedicated Academic Admissions Counselor/NCAA Coordinator who ensures that students meet the necessary academic standards for college admission.

Course Load Review Seniors are required to meet with their assigned counselor to review their NCAA eligibility and confirm that their 12th-grade course load includes the necessary NCAA-approved core courses. This includes ensuring that they fulfill the requirement of completing 16 core-course credits and adhering to the '10/7' rule, which mandates that 10 core courses (with at least 7 in English, Math, or Science) be completed before the seventh semester.

Transcript Verification Students must send their official 6th-semester transcripts to the NCAA via Parchment, including transcripts from any previous high schools for transfer students. This step is crucial for verifying academic progress and eligibility.

Amateurism Certification Multi-sport athletes must also manage their NCAA accounts by adding all relevant sports and completing required tasks, such as the NCAA Sports Wagering Education Module. They should request final amateurism certification starting April 1 for Fall enrollees or October 1 for Winter/Spring enrollees.

Core Course Selection To verify which MDHS classes count toward NCAA eligibility, students can consult the NCAA Core-Course List using the school’s CEEB code: 053-240. This ensures that their selected courses align with NCAA standards.

For further assistance, students are encouraged to contact Mr. Jeremy Riche, the Academic Admissions Counselor/NCAA & AP Coordinator, at (714) 850-9568 or visit the College-Bound Student-Athletes page on the Mater Dei website.

Explore all Mater Dei High School questions