General Description

The Fide et Fortitudine Merit Scholar Program is designed to challenge, direct, and enrich the academic, social, and Faith-filled components of a student’s high school years. It sets a high level of expectation for student participation in academics, community service, parish work, and extra- and co curricular activities.

The focus of the Fide et Fortitudine Merit Scholar Program is to actively involve students in the Mater Dei community by ensuring quality academic performance as well as meaningful participation in   student-selected areas of interest.  

A major component of the program is active participation within the Mater Dei community.  This participation is manifested in areas such as, but not limited to, peer mentoring, student council, clubs, and athletics.  However, it also includes active participation in areas outside the curriculum such as Christian service, volunteer work, and parish involvement.

Beside the expectation of involvement within the Mater Dei community, all students will be expected to do meaningful work outside the school community.  Some examples may include, Boys/Girls Scouts of America, Habitat for Humanity, local parish work, and Big Brother Big Sister. 

The areas of participation will be student-centered and student-selected.   The planning and discovery of these opportunities will come from both the student and his/her mentor.

Benefits

• Graduate with distinction in class
• 4 year participants will receive a special diploma upon graduation
•  1-3 year participants will receive special recognition
• Strengthen transcript
• Will augment a student’s transcript for college application
• Possible tuition Incentive commensurate to level of participation 
• Focus
• The program rigor keeps students on track for successfully maintaining positive academic performance and student participation standards

Eligibility / Admission

• All students currently enrolled at Mater Dei are eligible to apply (includes incoming freshmen)
• Students reapplying to the program will be assessed based on the submission of his/her portfolio
• Click here to link to the Fide et Fortitudine Merit Scholar Program application 

Example of Benchmark Criteria

Minimum Active Participation in:

FAQs:

• How are students selected?

• All application packages go through a blind review.
• Selected candidates will advance and be invited to interview with the selection committee.

• What is the purpose of the interview?

• The interview allows the selection committee to gain a better insight as to a candidate’s level of interest in the program and their specific areas of academic, co-curricular, and service interest.

• Is this a program only for honors-level students or athletes?

• NO.
• This program is designed to let the students chose areas of participation based on his/her interests.  Those areas include every aspect of Mater Dei’s co-curricular programs, not just athletics.
• There are minimum grade requirements that students at ALL levels must maintain, not just in honors level.

• Who should apply?

• Any student interested in participating in a program that challenges students to maintain high academic standards and actively participate in a variety of community / service projects.

•  How will “active participation” be measured?

• Students will have all involvement verified through a combination of one or all of the following methods

• Attendance records
• Verification of participation attendance
• Reflection work; i.e. Action research/reflection papers
• Survey of activity supervisor

• Will all students in the program have equal opportunity for participation?

• YES.
• The mentors will make opportunities available to all participants, and students can choose or find his/her own areas of interest.

Click Here for Program Brochure

Click Here for the Application Form