Mater Dei is an elementary school for boys grades 1 through 8, conducted by Catholic laymen, in Bethesda, Maryland.Mater Dei School intends to provide an accelerated yet basic Catholic education in which character development is emphasized and appreciated as much as academic accomplishments. In a traditionally structured yet relaxed atmosphere, the students are encouraged to both work and play hard; accordingly, a strong athletic program complements the scholastic curriculum.By providing effective role models as teachers, Mater Dei tries to impress upon its boys that academic success depends upon consistent and responsible effort in class and on assignments; that by being good persons they can best fulfill their roles as students and their obligations as Catholics; that they must and should be held accountable for their actions and inactions; and that by not taking themselves too seriously they can gain a valuable perspective on the ups and downs of school life."For all of us, this effectively means "Work hard, play hard, pray hard, but most of all, be a good guy!