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Catholic high school

Mater Dei High School

  • LocationBreese, IL
  • Type and sizeDiocesan school · Grades 9–12 · 357 students
  • SponsorDiocese of Belleville
Official website

Mater Dei Catholic High School is a Catholic diocesan regional high school in Breese, Illinois, of the Diocese of Belleville. A weekly all-school Mass is held on Thursdays in the school gymnasium, presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes, and students take four years of theology. Seniors complete a required three-week full-time Senior Service Project, and each class has a one-day retreat every year.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 1

  • Thursday10:18 AMMater Dei gymnasium · Weekly, unless a special Mass is held on another day that week. The school's liturgical schedule page lists 2025-26 special Masses.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Liturgical Schedule | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “Mass is held each Thursday at 10:18 a.m.”
    The weekly Mass is held on Thursdays at 10:18 a.m.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of Mater Dei High School, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 mi1 miSaint Dominic Catholic Church: 0.6 mi1Saint Augustine Catholic Church: 0.9 mi2Mater Dei High School (campus)N0.5 mi
CampusCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›
  1. Saint Dominic Catholic Church — 0.6 mi · 493 North 2nd Street, Breese
  2. Saint Augustine Catholic Church — 0.9 mi · 525 South 3rd Street, Breese

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

BSacramental life: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Sacramental life

74 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    All-school or class Masses during the school yearWeekly (A weekly all-school Mass on Thursdays in the school gymnasium, per the school's liturgical schedule.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “weekly all-school Masses (in conjunction with the Theology Department)”
      Campus ministry promotes weekly all-school Masses.
      “The Masses, for which pastors from our surrounding parishes volunteer to preside, are held in our gymnasium.”
      Masses are held in the school gymnasium and presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
    2. Liturgical Schedule | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is held each Thursday at 10:18 a.m.”
      The weekly Mass is held on Thursdays at 10:18 a.m.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Confession offered to students during the school yearSeasonally (Advent, Lent) or a few times a year (Reconciliation is offered during Lent and a reconciliation service is listed among campus ministry opportunities.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the season of Lent, students and faculty are invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
      Reconciliation is offered during Lent.
    2. Student Handbook 2026-27 | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Student-Handbook-26-27-FINAL-9-8-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “weekly liturgies, a reconciliation service, retreats”
      Campus Ministry offers weekly liturgies, a reconciliation service and retreats.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain serving the schoolVisiting or shared priest (Masses are presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Masses, for which pastors from our surrounding parishes volunteer to preside, are held in our gymnasium.”
      Masses are held in the school gymnasium and presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
    2. Liturgical Schedule | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is held each Thursday at 10:18 a.m.”
      The weekly Mass is held on Thursdays at 10:18 a.m.
N/ATheology and curriculum: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet.

Theology and curriculum

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (4.0 credits of theology, each semester course counting 0.5 credit: 8 semesters divided by 2 gives four full-year equivalents. Theology I through IV are listed, one for each grade.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Curriculum | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Graduation Requirement: 4 credits and Senior Service Project”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of 4 credits.
    2. Graduation Requirements | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | 4.0 credits”
      Graduation requires 4.0 credits of theology.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
ACampus culture: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Campus culture

87 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    RetreatsA retreat for every grade (A one-day retreat for each class every year, held off campus; freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to attend the diocesan Quest retreat, juniors and seniors TEC.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Each year, we provide our students with a one-day retreat (by class), which is held off campus.”
      Each year every class has a one-day retreat held off campus.
      “All freshman and sophomore students are encouraged to attend Quest, a 33-hour retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Belleville.”
      Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to attend the diocesan Quest retreat.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Campus ministry staffOne (One professional campus minister is listed (Colleen McDermott); the school counselor is not counted as ministry staff.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “to Campus Minister Ms. Colleen McDermott by March 31”
      Colleen McDermott is the school's Campus Minister.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Faith-based student groups or clubsTwo or more (Teens for Life, the Liturgical Music Group and the St. Vincent de Paul Society are listed as student groups.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-27 | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Student-Handbook-26-27-FINAL-9-8-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Teens for Life Mr. Mason Schrage”
      Teens for Life is a student activity with a moderator.
      “Liturgical Music Group Mrs. Celia Kannall”
      The Liturgical Music Group is a student activity with a moderator.
      “St. Vincent De Paul Society Ms. Elizabeth Overmann”
      The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a student activity with a moderator.
  • Not enough information: official sources do not document this, so it is left out of the grade rather than counted as a no.
    Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayNot enough information: not found in official sources.
AService and Catholic social teaching: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Service and Catholic social teaching

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Seniors must complete a three-week full-time Senior Service Project (graduation requirement). Three weeks of full-time service clearly passes 40 hours.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Service | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “a three-week Senior Service Project, which the Diocese of Belleville requires for Mater Dei Catholic High School”
      The three-week Senior Service Project is required by the diocese for Mater Dei seniors.
      “through full-time volunteer service at a variety of locations in Clinton County”
      The Senior Service Project is full-time volunteer service.
      “More specifically, in January, our senior students respond to the needs of others at a variety of locations in Clinton County”
      The senior service project takes place in January.
    2. Graduation Requirements | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | 4.0 credits”
      Graduation requires 4.0 credits of theology.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesYes (Foundations of Catholic Social Doctrine is offered as a Theology IV semester course.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Curriculum | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology IV: Foundations of Catholic Social Doctrine”
      A Theology IV semester course is titled Foundations of Catholic Social Doctrine.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Yes (Teens for Life is a student club.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-27 | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Student-Handbook-26-27-FINAL-9-8-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Teens for Life Mr. Mason Schrage”
      Teens for Life is a student activity with a moderator.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (St. Vincent de Paul Society, Spanish Club fundraisers for people in need, and weekly class mission giving.)
    Sources (3)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-27 | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Student-Handbook-26-27-FINAL-9-8-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “St. Vincent De Paul Society Ms. Elizabeth Overmann”
      The St. Vincent de Paul Society is a student activity with a moderator.
    2. Activities | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/activities-page · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “in accordance with the Works of Mercy, Spanish Club hosts fundraisers to help families and individuals in need in our local communities and in Spanish-speaking countries”
      Spanish Club holds fundraisers for people in need locally and in Spanish-speaking countries.
    3. Service | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “On a weekly basis, students donate money to the missions that are sponsored by each class.”
      Each class sponsors mission giving on a weekly basis.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • A weekly all-school Mass is celebrated on Thursdays in the school gymnasium.
    Sources (2)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “weekly all-school Masses (in conjunction with the Theology Department)”
      Campus ministry promotes weekly all-school Masses.
      “The Masses, for which pastors from our surrounding parishes volunteer to preside, are held in our gymnasium.”
      Masses are held in the school gymnasium and presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
    2. Liturgical Schedule | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/liturgical-schedule · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Mass is held each Thursday at 10:18 a.m.”
      The weekly Mass is held on Thursdays at 10:18 a.m.
  • Theology is required for graduation in four years (Theology I through IV).
    Sources (2)
    1. Curriculum | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/academics/curriculum · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Graduation Requirement: 4 credits and Senior Service Project”
      Theology is a graduation requirement of 4 credits.
    2. Graduation Requirements | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/academics/graduation-requirements · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Theology | 4.0 credits”
      Graduation requires 4.0 credits of theology.
  • Seniors complete a required three-week full-time Senior Service Project.
    Sources (1)
    1. Service | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “a three-week Senior Service Project, which the Diocese of Belleville requires for Mater Dei Catholic High School”
      The three-week Senior Service Project is required by the diocese for Mater Dei seniors.
      “through full-time volunteer service at a variety of locations in Clinton County”
      The Senior Service Project is full-time volunteer service.
  • Several student groups are listed, including Teens for Life and the Liturgical Music Group.
    Sources (1)
    1. Student Handbook 2026-27 | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Student-Handbook-26-27-FINAL-9-8-26.pdf · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “Teens for Life Mr. Mason Schrage”
      Teens for Life is a student activity with a moderator.
      “Liturgical Music Group Mrs. Celia Kannall”
      The Liturgical Music Group is a student activity with a moderator.

Concerns

  • Masses are presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “The Masses, for which pastors from our surrounding parishes volunteer to preside, are held in our gymnasium.”
      Masses are held in the school gymnasium and presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
  • Confession is invited during Lent.
    Sources (1)
    1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
      “During the season of Lent, students and faculty are invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
      Reconciliation is offered during Lent.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Campus Ministry, Mater Dei Catholic High School

  • Address: 900 North Mater Dei Drive, Breese, IL 62230
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: gymnasium (where Masses are held)

Source: materdeiknights.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, materdeiknights.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, materdeiknights.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

11 groups and regular activities · 4 on campus, 2 off campus, 5 location not published

Retreats 2

  • Class retreat (one day, each class)Off campus
    Each year
    A one-day retreat for each class, led by a professional retreat team.
    materdeiknights.org
  • Quest (diocesan retreat)
    Freshmen and sophomores are encouraged to attend
    A 33-hour retreat sponsored by the Diocese of Belleville.
    materdeiknights.org

Service 4

  • Senior Service ProjectOff campus
    January, three weeks
    Required of seniors: full-time volunteer service in Clinton County, the metro-east area and St. Louis.
    materdeiknights.org, materdeiknights.org, materdeiknights.org
  • St. Vincent de Paul Society
    Student society with a moderator; the National Honor Society sponsors a holiday food drive with it.
    materdeiknights.org
  • Spanish Club fundraisers
    Spanish Club holds fundraisers for families and individuals in need in local communities and Spanish-speaking countries.
    materdeiknights.org
  • Class mission giving
    Each class sponsors a mission and students donate money weekly to it.
    materdeiknights.org

Clubs and groups 2

Liturgy and prayer 3

  • Weekly all-school MassOn campus
    Thursdays at 10:18 a.m.
    All-school Mass in the gymnasium, presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
    materdeiknights.org, materdeiknights.org, materdeiknights.org
  • Liturgical roles at MassOn campus
    Students may volunteer for liturgical roles at the weekly Masses; they are encouraged to ask their theology teacher.
    materdeiknights.org, materdeiknights.org
  • Extraordinary ministers of Holy CommunionOn campus
    Junior and senior students who meet the requirements
    Students who complete training are commissioned at a Mass to serve as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
    materdeiknights.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Campus Ministry | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “weekly all-school Masses (in conjunction with the Theology Department)”
    Campus ministry promotes weekly all-school Masses.
    “weekly all-school Masses (in conjunction with the Theology Department)”
    Campus ministry promotes weekly all-school Masses.
    “The Masses, for which pastors from our surrounding parishes volunteer to preside, are held in our gymnasium.”
    Masses are held in the school gymnasium and presided over by volunteer pastors from surrounding parishes.
    “900 North Mater Dei Drive”
    The school and campus ministry are at 900 North Mater Dei Drive, Breese, IL 62230.
  2. Service | Mater Dei Catholic High Schoolmaterdeiknights.org/faith/service · verified Oct. 12, 2026
    “to Campus Minister Ms. Colleen McDermott by March 31”
    Colleen McDermott is the school's Campus Minister.

Reach out

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Academic Excellence

FAcademic Excellence: Minimal (grade F): 0 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
32 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of scoreThis measure counts for 75% of the Academic Excellence score.68%
  • Students per teacher 25% of scoreThis measure counts for 25% of the Academic Excellence score.11.7 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

TypeDiocesan school
DioceseDiocese of Belleville, IL
Grades9–12
Students (all grades)357
Students in grades 9–12357
Coed or single-sexCoed
Student–teacher ratio11.7 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges68%
SettingTown

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Local Church

Diocese of Belleville

The Most Reverend Godfrey Mullen, OSB, Bishop of Belleville

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: diobelle.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is Mater Dei High School a Catholic high school?
Yes. Mater Dei High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Belleville. Its sponsor is Diocese of Belleville.
What is Mater Dei High School’s Compass Score?
73 out of 100 (grade A). It combines faith (75%) and academics (25%), each rated from official sources.
Where is Mass celebrated at Mater Dei High School?
Mass is listed at Mater Dei gymnasium. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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