What Mater Dei Catholic High School does

Mater Dei Catholic is a private, non-profit Catholic TK-12 institution operated under the Diocese of San Diego, headquartered on a 50-acre campus at 1615 Mater Dei Drive in Chula Vista, California. The school was founded in 1960 as Marian High School by Bishop Charles F. Buddy, was re-branded to Mater Dei Catholic High School in 2007 following a relocation, and vertically extended into elementary education in 2015 with the launch of the Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy. It serves approximately 1,750 students across TK-12 (the largest TK-12 Catholic school in San Diego) with a faculty and staff of ~190, and is led by President Rev. Joaquin Martinez, SJ, High School Principal Aaron González, and Elementary Principal Faina Salter.

The institution operates a vertically integrated educational product across three divisions: elementary (TK-8 with the only Catholic 50/50 Spanish-English dual-language immersion pathway in San Diego County, offered through the Boston College TWIN-CS Partnership), high school (honors, AP, dual enrollment, Academy of Science internships at USD/UCSD/SDSU, Dual Language Academy, Visual and Performing Arts, Campus Ministry, Aquinas Center for learning support, Language Academy for English learners, and 27+ competitive athletic teams), and the Juan Diego Adult Center (English and citizenship classes). Underlying technology is a standard K-12 SaaS stack: Finalsite (CMS/enrollment), FACTS SIS (billing, district code MDCHS-CA), Schoology (LMS), Magnus Health (records), and EdJoin (recruitment). The school is fully accredited by WASC, WCEA, and NCEA.

The revenue model is dominated by recurring annual tuition — $21,750 for high school and a tiered $10,750/$10,250/$9,750 for the first, second, and third elementary child — with a separate international student tier of $86,100/year through Amerigo Education covering tuition and off-campus residence. Supplementary recurring streams include Mater Dei Fund annual giving, the Blue & Gold Night gala, the 50th annual Crusader Golf Tournament, the Crusader Cornhole Tournament, the Big Gold Ticket raffle, and tiered corporate sponsorships (Gold $10,000 / Blue $8,000 / venue-level $1,500–$3,000). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through the Finalsite enrollment portal and on-campus family tours, supplemented by referral-driven enrollment via parent ambassadors, alumni network, and the Community Business Directory.

Name

Mater Dei Catholic High School

Legal name

Mater Dei Catholic High School

Website

https://materdeicatholic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Mater Dei Catholic is a private, non-profit TK-12 Catholic school under the Diocese of San Diego, serving approximately 1,750 students on a 50-acre Chula Vista campus via elementary (TK-8), high school, and an adult learning center, with revenue primarily from tuition and supplementary fundraising.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Catholic K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Elementary Schools (EDAJAAAB), Public High Schools (EDAJAAAD)

Keywords

• Catholic K-12 education
• Dual language immersion
• College preparatory schooling
• STEAM academy programs
• Private faith-based education

Headquarters

HQ city

Chula Vista

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Tuition - High School: Primary revenue from tuition payments. High school tuition for 2026/27 is $21,750. Additional registration fees of $500-$700. Tutoring included with tuition.
2. Tuition - Elementary School: Tiered family tuition structure: $10,750 for 1st child, $10,250 for 2nd child, $9,750 for 3rd child for 2026/27 school year. Registration fees vary by grade.
3. International Student Program: International student tuition with Amerigo partner at $86,100 per year including off-campus residence. Separate revenue stream from domestic tuition.
4. Summer Programs: Summer camps and summer school programs including athletic camps ($150-$350), enrichment camps ($275-$350), academic summer programs ($850), and enrichment programs ($750)
5. Annual Giving and Fundraising: Mater Dei Fund annual campaign (July 1 - June 30), Blue & Gold Night gala, Crusader Golf Tournament, Big Gold Ticket raffle, Crusader Cornhole Tournament, and community business directory
6. Sponsorship Revenue: Sponsorship opportunities ranging from Gold Tier ($10,000) to individual venue sponsorships. Egger Stadium ($3,000), Bosco Gym ($2,500), Aquatic Complex ($2,000), Blue & Gold Night ($1,500)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Mater Dei Catholic High School provides Catholic TK-12 college-preparatory education through elementary (TK-8), high school (9-12), and adult learning divisions. The school delivers dual-language immersion in Spanish/English, a STEAM Academy of Science with university internships, and comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts and athletic programs on a 50-acre campus. Enrollment is handled directly through the school's website and FACTS portal, with international recruitment via Amerigo Education.

Product overview

Mater Dei Catholic is a TK-12 Catholic school system in San Diego comprising three divisions: Mater Dei Catholic Elementary School (TK-8 with dual-language immersion), Mater Dei Catholic High School (college-preparatory with honors, AP, and dual enrollment), and the Juan Diego Adult Center (English language and citizenship programs). The school offers specialized programs including the Academy of Science (STEAM work-based learning with internships), the Dual Language Academy (TWIN-CS partner), Visual and Performing Arts, Campus Ministry, and over 27 athletic teams. Auxiliary programs include Youth Summer Camps (athletic and enrichment), high school and elementary summer school, the Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Memorial Scholarship, and annual fundraising events (Golf Tournament, Blue & Gold Night, Cornhole Tournament, Big Gold Ticket). Enrollment is managed through FACTS Family Portal with instruction delivered via Schoology LMS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mater Dei Juan Diego Academy: First Catholic dual-language immersion program in San Diego, serving TK-2 students as part of the Mater Dei Catholic school system.

Products and services

• Mater Dei Catholic Elementary School TK-8 Catholic elementary school offering a 50/50 dual-language immersion curriculum in English and Spanish, rooted in the STREAM education model (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math). First Catholic school in San Diego County to offer dual-language immersion, with pathway to the Seal of Biliteracy and seamless transition into the high school.
• Mater Dei Catholic High School (MDCHS) Comprehensive coeducational college-preparatory high school (grades 9-12) with honors, dual enrollment, and AP courses, plus the Academy of Science, Dual Language Academy, Visual and Performing Arts, Campus Ministry, and 27+ athletic teams. Tutoring is included with tuition, with counseling and Aquinas Center learning support available.
• Juan Diego Adult Center Adult education center offering English language classes and citizenship preparation programs for adult learners in the community, operated by Mater Dei Catholic.
• Dual Language Immersion Program TK-12 dual-language immersion program offering bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural education with a pathway to the Seal of Biliteracy in 5th and 8th grades and a Bilingual Portfolio capstone project, supported by the TWIN-CS Partnership through Boston College Roche Center for Catholic Education.
• Academy of Science STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) program with work-based learning, placing students in internships at leading research institutions including USD, UCSD, and SDSU. Offers the only dual enrollment science lab classes in the South Bay and culminates in a STEAM Night presentation of college-level scientific posters.
• Youth Summer Camps Summer enrichment and athletic camps for K-8 students including sports camps (football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, strength and conditioning), performing arts camps (musical theater, dance, clay), and academic programs. Open to children from all schools across San Diego and Tijuana; priced $150-$350.
• High School Summer School Summer academic program for high school students including daily four-hour classes, credit recovery courses, advancement courses spanning two sessions, and special Math and English fundamentals for incoming freshmen.
• Mater Dei Catholic Elementary Summer School Summer academic program for currently enrolled elementary students offering an Academic Summer Program (English Language Arts, Spanish Language Arts, and Math) and an Enrichment Summer Program (Science, Arts and Crafts, Sports, Music and Movement, and Team Building).
• Dr. Estelle L. Kassebaum Memorial Scholarship Program Annual scholarship awarded to qualified Mater Dei Catholic juniors who exemplify excellence in scholarship, character, leadership, and service. Recipients complete a Pay It Forward Leadership Service Project and are honored at the Celebration of Life Event. Projected award for the 2025-26 school year is $2,000.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,750 students enrolled TK-12
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• University of San Diego (USD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academy of Science internship partner. Students complete research internships at USD research institutions as part of work-based learning program.
• UC San Diego (UCSD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academy of Science internship partner. Students complete research internships at UCSD research institutions as part of work-based learning program.
• San Diego State University (SDSU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Academy of Science internship partner. Students complete research internships at SDSU research institutions as part of work-based learning program.
• Diocese of San DiegocoreOthers · 1 January 1995Parent organization for Catholic education. School operates under Catholic educational standards and ecclesiastical oversight. NCEA membership. Responsible for WCEA accreditation standards compliance.
• Amerigo EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with Amerigo Education, North America's leading international education provider. Amerigo provides on-campus support, university guidance, and seamless integration for international students. Handles visa support, housing coordination, and cultural integration services.
• Boston College Roche Center for Catholic Education (TWIN-CS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 28 national partners in the TWIN-CS Partnership network for dual language education. Provides access to dual language research, techniques, and resources supporting the school's dual-language immersion curriculum.
• EdJoinminorOthersEducation-specific job posting platform used for faculty and staff recruitment. Current openings posted for Head Girl's Varsity Flag Football Coach, Athletic Trainer, and Dean of School Culture.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Francis Parker School: Independent K-12 college-prep school in San Diego offering a similar mix of rigorous academics, arts, athletics, and signature programs (innovations, internships) to fee-paying families in the same metro.
• La Jolla Country Day School: Independent K-12 college-prep school in La Jolla offering similar academic and extracurricular breadth to Mater Dei's high school division, competing for San Diego's fee-paying college-prep families at the premium end of the market.
• The Bishop's School: Elite private independent K-12 school in La Jolla serving the same San Diego market with a comparable college-preparatory academic profile and similar extracurricular breadth, but at a higher price point and without the Catholic identity.
• Cathedral Catholic High School: Diocesan Catholic college-prep high school in San Diego serving similar Catholic, college-bound families in the same regional market; directly competes for tuition-paying families and college-prep positioning.
• St. Augustine High School: Diocesan Catholic boys' college-prep high school in San Diego, operating under the same Diocese of San Diego umbrella and competing head-to-head for Catholic, college-bound families in the South Bay/Central San Diego corridor.
• Pacific Ridge School: Independent K-12 college-prep school in Carlsbad serving North County San Diego families with a similar mission of rigorous academics, arts, and athletics; competes for the same demographic of tuition-paying, college-bound households.
• Army and Navy Academy: Private boarding and day college-prep school in Carlsbad offering similar tuition-funded academics, athletics, and character formation programs in the San Diego region, including international boarding students comparable to Mater Dei's Amerigo program.
• Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks): Catholic diocesan college-prep high school in the Los Angeles Archdiocese offering a comparable faith-based, college-preparatory program with athletics and AP offerings to a similar tuition-paying demographic in a different Southern California market.

Broad incumbents

• Diocese of San Diego Catholic Schools: The diocesan system that governs Mater Dei and operates a network of parish elementary and high schools across San Diego and Imperial counties; relevant for shared governance, accreditation (WCEA), and competitive overlap in feeder markets.

Others

• Amerigo Education: North America's leading international student placement partner; Mater Dei's exclusive partner for international recruitment, housing, and visa support, and a strategic channel partner rather than a competitor, but central to Mater Dei's $86,100/student international revenue stream.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@materdeicatholic
• Facebookfacebook.com/MaterDeiCatholic
• Instagraminstagram.com/mdcrusaders
• Xx.com/mdcrusaders

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mater Dei Catholic High School