Mater Dei Catholic High School (Chula Vista, California)
| Mater Dei Catholic | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
1615 Mater Dei Drive , , 91913 United States | |
| Coordinates | 32°37′13″N 116°58′38″W / 32.62028°N 116.97722°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private high school |
| Motto | Latin: Rationabile Obsequium (Spiritual Worship or Rational Service[2]) |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1960 |
| NCES School ID | A0900415[1] |
| President | Joaquin Martinez |
| Grades | TK–12 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Enrollment | High school 1040, elementary 450 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 16:1 (2017–18)[1] |
| Campus size | 48 acres (19 ha) |
| Colors | Navy Blue & gold |
| Mascot | Crusaders |
| Team name | Crusaders |
| Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges[3] |
| Publication | Crusader Connection MDTV |
| Yearbook | The Gauntlet |
| Affiliation | Diocese of San Diego |
| Website | www |
Mater Dei Catholic (MDCHS) (formerly Marian High School) is a private Catholic TK-12 school in Chula Vista, California, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego.
History
In 1960, Bishop Charles F. Buddy founded the first co-educational Catholic high school in the Diocese of San Diego. It would be built on twenty acres of land donated by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Egger. Seventy young students and a faculty of four embarked on a lasting venture which was to become known as Marian High School. These boys and girls carried the hopes and best wishes of many people as they attended classes in a three room division of St. Charles School across the street from what would be the future campus. In 2002, the Diocese of San Diego decided to upgrade all of its secondary campuses. A new site in Chula Vista was chosen and a new school was built. In 2007, the name was changed from Marian Catholic High School to Mater Dei Catholic and the school moved to its present location.[4]
The original campus was located in South San Diego, near the intersection of Coronado Avenue and Thermal Street. Across from Marian Catholic was the parochial K-8 school, Saint Charles Catholic School.[5] The new campus is located in East Chula Vista, in close proximity to Otay Ranch Town Center.
Facilities
Its facilities include the Marian chapel, a track and football stadium, baseball and softball diamonds, tennis courts, a full-service 800-seat theater, a competition swimming pool, a basketball/volleyball gym, and an environmentally friendly "earth bench".
Athletics
Mater Dei Catholic High School competes in the Metropolitan – Mesa League under the South Bay League of the CIF San Diego Section.[6] The "Pioneers" have won several team and individual state championships.[7]
| School Year | Athletic | Team | Division | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | California high school basketball championship | Girls State | Division IV | def. Modesto Christian 54–51[8][9] |
| 2009 | Basketball | Girls Southern California | Division IV | def. The Bishop's School 54–51 |
| 2015 | List of California state high school football champions | Boys State | Division 5-AA | def. Immanuel (Reedley) 56–21.[10] |
| 2015 | Football | Boys Southern California | Division 5-AA | def. Notre Dame (Riverside) 21–14 |
| 2021 | Basketball | Girls Southern California | Division 2-AA | def. Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills) 56–42 |
| 2021 | Basketball | Boys Southern California | Division 2-A | def. Central (Fresno) 67–50 |
| 2021 | Football | Boys State | Division 2-AA | def. Central Catholic (Modesto) 34–25 |
| 2021 | Football | Boys Southern California | Division 2-AA | def. Helix (La Mesa) 24–21 |
| 2022 | Football | Boys State | Division 2-AA | def. McClymonds (Oakland) 26–18 |
| 2022 | Football | Boys Southern California | Division 2-AA | def. Downey 22–21 |
| 2025 | Basketball | Girls Southern California | Division III | def. El Camino Real 51–38 |
| 2025 | Volleyball | Boys CIF State Championship | Division IV | .[11] |
Notable alumni
- Paul Arriola: professional soccer player who plays as a winger for the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer (MLS) and represented the United States in international competitions.
- Stanley Daniels: former professional football guard who played in the National Football League (NFL).
- John Carlos Frey (1981): activist, screenwriter, film director, and actor.[12]
- Alejandro Guido: professional soccer player, current player of Club Tijuana in Liga MX.
- José Martínez (2011): professional volleyball player, member of Mexico men's national volleyball team.
- George Milke: former college baseball pitcher.
- Jason Myers (2009): professional football placekicker for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).
- Mickey Pimentel (2003): former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL).
- Mary Salas (1966): former California State Assembly member, 79th District.
- CJ Verdell: former college football running back for the Oregon Ducks.
References
- ^ a b "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for Mater Dei Catholic High School". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
- ^ "Romans 12:1". Retrieved September 6, 2025.
- ^ WASC-ACS. "WASC-Accrediting Commission for Schools". Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- ^ "Marian Catholic High School in pieces". San Diego Reader. Retrieved February 13, 2026.
- ^ "Welcome Page". Saint Charles Catholic School Website. Address on mid-page. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ "Metro Conference – Athletics". Retrieved October 27, 2025.
- ^ Virginia High School League (February 20, 2024). "Virginia High School League- Record Book". VHSL. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Orozco, Ivan (March 15, 2009). "Crusaders stun Bishop's and look to Sacramento". San Diego Union-Tribune News. Retrieved March 16, 2009.
- ^ Brand, Steve (March 21, 2009). "Mater Dei Catholic girls win Division IV state basketball title". San Diego Union-Tribune News. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ "2015-16 Varsity". MaxPreps. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ "Mater Dei Catholic to play in first boys volleyball state championship". The Star News. May 28, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
- ^ Frey, John Carlos. "The Investigative Fund". Retrieved September 7, 2017.