Mater Dei High School

About MD
Mater Dei is a distinguished destination of excellence in academics and technology, the arts, faith and service, campus life, and athletics. We are proud to be Orange County’s oldest and largest Catholic high school.
Admissions
Your journey to becoming a Monarch starts here! Tour campus, schedule a shadow day, begin your application, and more. We are excited for you to join the MD family!
Programs
Built on Catholic fellowship and intellectual rigor, our programs in academics, technology, athletics, faith and service, and the arts provide unlimited opportunities for student success. Comprehensive counseling and wellness resources educate and bolster families throughout the high school journey.
Faith in Action
Guided by the articulation of Catholic Social Teachings, Mater Dei prioritizes the faith development of our students with an emphasis on Christian service. We believe this allows our students to grow in their spiritual lives while living our gospel values through giving back to others and truly experiencing the face of God.
Campus Life
Through avenues of leadership, faith, shared interests, and extracurricular activities and events, students can make Mater Dei their own. Get involved today!
Community
Tradition never graduates. Alumni, lifetime parents, grandparents, and friends are a vital and vibrant aspect of our community. Once a Monarch, always a Monarch.
Giving
Behind every achievement, success, and championship, stand the alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends who fortify our future. We invite you to support MD in a variety of ways with a gift that is meaningful to you.
- Students
- Parents
- Faculty

Biography

About
My own experiences in my Catholic high school history classes encouraged me to pursue teaching high school, so I’m lucky enough to have the career I truly want. I am a father to three awesome kids. There’s no way I could be teaching without the support, patience, and love of my life, Harmony. When I’m not teaching or preparing for class, there’s a good chance you can find with my family, most likely at Disneyland.

What I Love About MD
The community and the students are welcoming, driven, and humble. And that MD provides a wide array of experiences – sports, the arts, academics, robotics, film/media, clubs, etc. – that allow for a holistic (well-rounded) development of students.

Education: CSULB MA, U.S. History - CSULB; BA History - UCLA; Teacher Certification - University of Pennsylvania

At MD since: Year 2022

Teaching since: year 2006

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Name: Mr. Ben Van Dyk
Position: Social Studies Department Chair
Email: Send email