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Very Good

#31 of 142 private schools in KS

Top 21% of private schools

Mater Dei Catholic School

Elementary School

934 SW CLAY ST, Topeka, KS 66606

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 40 schools in Topeka. Learn more

Enrollment

146

Student-Teacher

11.4:1

Score

7.4

Grades

Pre-K – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Topeka

#4 of 10

public schools

Kansas elementary schools

#17 of 87

About Mater Dei Catholic School

Mater Dei Catholic School is a charming elementary school nestled in the Shawnee area of Topeka, Kansas. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, Mater Dei offers a nurturing educational environment with an enrollment of 146 students and a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1. The dedicated faculty comprises 13 full-time equivalent teachers who work tirelessly to provide quality instruction.

While specific test scores are not available, the school's MySchoolScout rating of 6.1 out of 10 places it among the top schools in Kansas at the 96th percentile. This ranking reflects Mater Dei’s commitment to student development and overall academic success despite any data gaps. The school focuses on fostering a strong sense of community and faith within its diverse student body.

Mater Dei Catholic School is situated in a mid-size city, offering students easy access to local amenities while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere that supports learning and personal growth.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 146 students, Mater Dei Catholic School is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

As a private school, Mater Dei Catholic School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mater Dei Catholic School compares to 36 public schools serving similar grades in Topeka, KS

Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
This School
vs
12.6:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
146
This School
vs
411
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.4
This School
vs
6.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 50.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 32.2% vs 0%
Black 8.9% vs 0%
Asian 0.7% vs 0%
Mater Dei Catholic School Topeka Public Avg

Nearby Elementary Schools

School Rating
Mater Dei Catholic School (this school) 7.4
Lowman Hill Elem 5.6
Robinson Middle School 5.3
Meadows Elementary 8.2
Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School 4.4
Randolph Elem 6.0
Capital City 8.1
Whitson Elem 8.4
Scott Dual Language Magnet 6.4
Quincy Elem 5.6
State Street Elem 5.6
Chase Middle School 5.4
Logan Elementary 5.0
Highland Park Central 5.1
Jardine Elementary 4.8
Landon Middle School 6.4
Jardine Middle School 6.8
Lawrence Gardner High School 7.6
McCarter Elem 5.3
Ross Elementary 5.5
McEachron Elem 5.8

Showing 20 of 36 schools. View all schools in Topeka

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in KS.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 5.6 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 11.4:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A- 7.5 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7.4 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,272.8
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.7 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 63%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 146
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in KS

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 50.7%
Hispanic 32.2%
Black 8.9%
Two or More 7.5%
Asian 0.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

934 SW CLAY ST, Topeka, KS 66606

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mater Dei Catholic School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. Whitson Elem (rated 8.4/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is Meadows Elementary (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Topeka, see our Topeka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Topeka High Topeka 0.2 mi 4.8
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka 0.3 mi 5.9
CAIR PARAVEL LATIN SCHOOL Topeka 0.3 mi 5.9
Lowman Hill Elem Topeka 0.5 mi 5.6
Robinson Middle School Topeka 0.7 mi 5.3
Meadows Elementary Topeka 0.8 mi 8.2
TOPEKA LUTHERAN SCHOOL Topeka 0.9 mi 6.3
Williams Science and Fine Arts Magnet School Topeka 1.0 mi 4.4
Randolph Elem Topeka 1.3 mi 6.0
Capital City Topeka 1.3 mi 8.1
Whitson Elem Topeka 1.9 mi 8.4
MOST PURE HEART OF MARY SCHOOL Topeka 2.0 mi 5.3
HERITAGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Topeka 2.5 mi 7.5
Quincy Elem Topeka 2.3 mi 5.6
Logan Elementary Topeka 2.7 mi 5.0
HAYDEN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Topeka 2.2 mi 6.5
Scott Dual Language Magnet Topeka 2.2 mi 6.4
ST MATTHEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL Topeka 2.6 mi 6.9
Highland Park Central Topeka 2.7 mi 5.1
Jardine Elementary Topeka 3.0 mi 4.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 66606 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,862

Median Home Value

$115,100

Median Rent

$1,052/mo

Population

10,177

College Educated

35.6%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

14.5 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

37.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mater Dei Catholic School has a median household income of $60,862. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $115,100, with a median rent of $1,052/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 15 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Dodge City, KS 7.4
Satanta Elem Satanta, KS 7.4
Simpson Elem Russell, KS 7.5
South Central Elementary School Protection, KS 7.3
Garfield Elem Clay Center, KS 7.6
Onaga Elem Onaga, KS 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mater Dei Catholic School

What grades does Mater Dei Catholic School serve?

Mater Dei Catholic School serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.

How many students attend Mater Dei Catholic School?

Mater Dei Catholic School has an enrollment of approximately 146 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mater Dei Catholic School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mater Dei Catholic School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mater Dei Catholic School rank in KS?

Mater Dei Catholic School is ranked #31 out of 142 private schools in KS.

What is Mater Dei Catholic School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mater Dei Catholic School has a composite rating of 7.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Mater Dei Catholic School a private school?

Yes, Mater Dei Catholic School is a private coeducational school with a Roman Catholic affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Mater Dei Catholic School a religious school?

Mater Dei Catholic School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
69 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
36 Some Transit
Bike Score
80 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,517/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Topeka). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
146
Gender Split
37% M / 63% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
13
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7.4 hours
Days Per Year
172 days
Setting
Midsize City
County
SHAWNEE
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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