Mater Academy Charter School

Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School (often called Mater by students and alumni) is a coeducational charter school for day students in grades 6 through 12, and offers more than twenty-seven AP courses to students. Located in Hialeah Gardens, Florida, it ranks #33 in the state, and #331 in the nation.

Mater Academy Charter School
Location
7901 Northwest 103rd Street Hialeah Gardens, Florida 33016 United States
Coordinates	25°52′6″N 80°19′32″W
Information
Type	Charter
Established	August 2002
Founder	Fernando Zulueta
School district	Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Principal	Alex Tamargo
Teaching staff	50.00 (FTE)[1]
Grades	6-12
Enrollment	1,650 (2023–2024)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	33.00[1]
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Green and gold
Athletics	Yes
Mascot	Marty The Lion
Rival	Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy
National ranking	331
Test average	SAT: 1140; ACT: 23
Newspaper	"Lions Roar"
Yearbook	"Picture This"
School hours	7:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Website	www.matermiddlehigh.org

Performing Arts Pavilion

The Performing Arts Pavilion, adjacent to the main campus, was completed in February 2007 and initiated in April 2007.^[2] The building provides classroom and multimedia support for the main campus.^[3] Classes such as Guitar and Beginning Band are held in the building. It is also used to host presentations by guests — one notable example being Pitbull — faculty meetings, and administrative functions.^[4] The Pavilion also includes space for outdoors eating and vending machines.

Other building additions

Since its opening in 2002, the school's campus has been substantially expanded, with one of the earliest of additions being a new building to the north of the main one. Early in the 2014–2015 school year, two new buildings were opened on campus, one of which was dedicated to Mater Academy's sister school, Mater Academy Charter Elementary School. Further expansions continue to take place, primarily to the main building. Including the addition of the new building, the STEM Building.

Recognitions

Mater Academy won the Silver Medal from U.S. News & World Report's America's Best High Schools two years in a row,^[5] and the College Board's 2011 Inspiration Award. In the 2008–2009 school year, the Middle School, High School, and Performing Arts and Entertainment Academy divisions all received an "A" rating in the state's FCAT examination.^[6]

Notable events

In September 2021 Conor McGregor paid the school a surprise visit to Mater where students cheered as he entered "The Lion Den."^[7]

Notable alumni

• Albert Almora, MLB outfielder for the Chicago Cubs^[8]
• Julio Horrego, Honduran swimmer and Olympic representative
• Zack Moss, NFL running back for the Buffalo Bills