Boys' Boarding House

Our academy offers an opportunity for boys from around the country and the world in grades 8-12 to apply for a spot in our dormitory as boarding students. The selection process for the limited number of boarding spots is one that we take very seriously, basing acceptance on a thorough evaluation of the prospective student, his academic history, and a meeting with the student and his parents.

The lack of available Traditional Catholic High Schools in the United States is a serious dilemma for many parents and families. Mater Dei Academy is honored to be able to offer the opportunity to a limited number of students to take advantage of a truly Catholic secondary education under the guidance of a staff of priests and dormitory fathers. While the decision to send a child to board away from his home and family is not always an easy one, the benefit certainly outweighs the alternative of a public high school environment and the significant dangers engendered in these institutions. Boarding Boys at Mater Dei Academy are provided with a home that is conducive to a life of study, daily exposure to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Divine Office, and local extracurricular activities including sports and activities appropriate to each season here in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York.

The dormitory is provided primarily for boys who cannot commute to school; Mater Dei Academy has boys enrolled from across the United States, Mexico, and South America. However, some local boys also choose to board in the dormitory to live their adolescent years under the formation of the priests and staff of the Academy.

Boys are divided into four separate dorm rooms by class. These dormitories are supervised by a full time staff of Dorm Fathers and Priests. All personnel who have any contact with students at Mater Dei are screened for any criminal violations or evidence of child abuse.

There are many advantages for boys who board. They are given a chance to work, eat, compete in sports, and live with boys of their own age. They will acquire the skills to interact with those who come from different economic and family situations, as well as from different cultures. They will also be separated from the constant bombardment of modern culture, advertisement, and secular peer pressure. As boys, they will still want to test their boundaries; but they will do so in traditional Catholic surroundings managed by priests and House Fathers.