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Average

#252 of 379 private schools in MD

Mater Dei School

Middle School

9600 SEVEN LOCKS RD, Bethesda, MD 20817

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on 17 schools in Bethesda. Learn more

Enrollment

229

Student-Teacher

9.6:1

Score

5.8

Grades

1st – 8th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Bethesda

#14 of 15

public schools

Maryland middle schools

#9 of 11

Academic performance

8.6 / 10

Exceptional

About Mater Dei School

Mater Dei School, located in Bethesda, Maryland, is a public middle school serving grades 1 through 8. With an enrollment of 229 students and a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, the school offers personalized attention to each child’s needs. The dedicated staff includes 24 full-time equivalent teachers who work hard to support their students' academic and social growth.

While Mater Dei School does not have test score data available at this time, it has earned a MySchoolScout rating of 5.0 out of 10, placing it in the 73rd percentile among Maryland schools. This ranking suggests there is room for improvement but also indicates that the school focuses on student development and support. The setting of Mater Dei School is in a large suburban area near Bethesda, providing students with a safe and accessible environment to learn and grow.

What Parents Should Know

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.6:1, Mater Dei School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Mater Dei 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.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$23,815
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$32,291
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
1.36x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
72%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$33.8M

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 229 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Mater Dei School compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Bethesda, MD

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
This School
vs
16:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
229
This School
vs
655
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
5.8
This School
vs
7.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 91.7% vs 0%
Asian 3.9% vs 0%
Black 2.6% vs 0%
Hispanic 1.7% vs 0%
Mater Dei School Bethesda Public Avg

Nearby Middle Schools

School Rating
Mater Dei School (this school) 5.8
Seven Locks Elementary 7.9
Wyngate Elementary 7.4
Ashburton Elementary 8.0
Burning Tree Elementary 7.6
North Bethesda Middle 6.4
Carderock Springs Elementary 8.7
Thomas W. Pyle Middle 6.2
Bradley Hills Elementary 7.4
Woodlin Elementary 6.7
Bannockburn Elementary 7.0
Bethesda Elementary 5.9
Wood Acres Elementary 8.4
Westland Middle 6.5
Westbrook Elementary 6.5

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 MD.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.6:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 5.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 7 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,197
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
C+ 3.6 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 16%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
A- 8.2 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 229
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 MD

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 91.7%
Asian 3.9%
Black 2.6%
Hispanic 1.7%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

9600 SEVEN LOCKS RD, Bethesda, MD 20817

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mater Dei School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Carderock Springs Elementary (rated 8.7/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, NORWOOD SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bethesda, see our Bethesda schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Seven Locks Elementary Bethesda 0.1 mi 7.9
OUR LADY OF MERCY SCHOOL Potomac 0.8 mi 7.8
THE HEIGHTS SCHOOL Potomac 1.0 mi 5.6
GERMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL WASHINGTON DC Potomac 0.9 mi 7.2
Bells Mill Elementary Potomac 1.3 mi 7.8
Cabin John Middle Potomac 1.3 mi 6.1
NORWOOD SCHOOL Bethesda 1.2 mi 8.5
THE WOODS ACADEMY Bethesda 1.3 mi 7.6
MC LEAN SCHOOL OF MARYLAND Potomac 1.7 mi 8.1
HOLTON-ARMS SCHOOL Bethesda 1.7 mi 7.4
THE PRIMARY DAY SCHOOL Bethesda 1.9 mi 8.9
CONNELLY SCHOOL OF THE HOLY CHILD Potomac 1.7 mi 6.9
Burning Tree Elementary Bethesda 2.0 mi 7.6
Winston Churchill High Potomac 2.1 mi 5.6
IVYMOUNT SCHOOL Rockville 2.2 mi 7.8
THE MADDUX SCHOOL Rockville 2.2 mi 6.6
Carderock Springs Elementary Bethesda 2.2 mi 8.7
Walter Johnson High Bethesda 1.9 mi 5.1
Wyngate Elementary Bethesda 1.8 mi 7.4
Ashburton Elementary Bethesda 1.9 mi 8.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 20817 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$240,104

Median Home Value

$1,142,300

Median Rent

$3,155/mo

Population

37,738

College Educated

85.3%

Homeownership

82.3%

Avg Commute

30.2 min

Poverty Rate

4.2%

Median Age

45.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mater Dei School has a median household income of $240,104. It is a well-educated community where 85% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $1,142,300, with a median rent of $3,155/month. The local poverty rate of 4.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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
Northern Middle School Accident, MD 5.7
Lillie May Carroll Jackson School Baltimore, MD 5.6
Westmar Middle Lonaconing, MD 5.1
Booker T. Washington Middle Baltimore, MD 7.1
Stadium School Baltimore, MD 4.4
The Crossroads School Baltimore, MD 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mater Dei School

What grades does Mater Dei School serve?

Mater Dei School serves students in grades 1st through 8th.

How many students attend Mater Dei School?

Mater Dei School has an enrollment of approximately 229 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mater Dei School is 9.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Mater Dei School rank in MD?

Mater Dei School is ranked #252 out of 379 private schools in MD.

What is Mater Dei School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mater Dei School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 School a private school?

Yes, Mater Dei School is a private all-boys 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 School a religious school?

Mater Dei School has a Roman Catholic religious affiliation.

11 schools nearby View map →

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
1st – 8th
Enrollment
229
Gender Split
100% M / 0% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
24
Type
private
Coed Status
all-boys
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
School Day
7 hours
Days Per Year
171 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
MONTGOMERY
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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