Mater Dei Catholic High School was founded in 1960 and is located near the San Diego coast. The school features top-tier facilities and equipment, including advanced laboratories, an IT service desk modeled after Apple's Genius Bar, and Olympic-standard outdoor swimming pools among other premier sports facilities. The school boasts outstanding college acceptance results, with over sixty percent of students admitted to the prestigious University of California system, and many others gaining entry to top-twenty ranked universities in the United States. It is renowned as a breeding ground for Ivy League students. Those aspiring to pursue studies in scientific fields can apply for the STEAM "Science Academy" program, which offers university-level research opportunities and internships to apply knowledge gained through the program's curriculum. The faculty at Mater Dei Catholic High School provides extensive academic support and care for students, including free after-school tutoring in various subjects as well as SAT and ACT preparation courses.