Our Model
At Catalyst schools, our goal is to expand the horizons of our students beyond the borders of their neighborhoods and communities toward the achievement of educational goals. Our approach to student success is three pronged: Academic Excellence, Graduate Support, Family Support, and Community Involvement.
Academic Excellence
Catalyst Schools Chicago promotes a rigorous academic program which focuses heavily on math and reading. During each school day, Catalyst students read for 80 minutes each day and work on math for 80 minutes each day.
Small classroom sizes support daily individualized attention to students. Teacher aides augment the teacher-student ratio by facilitating small work groups and one-to-one sessions.
Critical components of the Catalyst Schools Chicago curriculum are the daily student reflections on The Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. The student reflections reinforce development of integrity and good judgment.
Graduate Support
At Catalyst Schools Chicago, we believe that the road to high school success begins well before entering high school.
The goal of the Graduate Support program is to ensure the students and their parents are ready for the challenges of high school. To help families navigate through the high school selection process, Catalyst faculty and staff coordinate presentations from various high schools and invite representatives from mentoring and scholarship organizations to visit the schools. Catalyst students are also encouraged to attend high school fairs.
Graduates of Catalyst Schools Chicago are prepared to achieve both high school and post secondary success. The Graduate Support program strives to deepen academic, social and financial support for alumni.
Family Support and Community Involvement
The leadership, faculty and staff of Catalyst Schools Chicago encourage sustained parent involvement and engagement in student life. Family support is provided in the form of educational workshops and connections to resources on healthcare, and financial counseling.
Catalyst schools are centers of strength for local communities. Catalyst Schools Chicago works to improve community satisfaction with and participation in school programs and services.
Recent News
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September 9, 2009
Nearly 200 students convened outside Austin's Catalyst School-Circle Rock to celebrate both the start of a new academic year and the opening of their new affiliate school.
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July 13, 2009
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May 19, 2009
Friends of Catalyst schools often bring creative programs to our students. Recently, art teacher Jessica Censotti brought her friend, Leah Sopiato, to Catalyst School - Circle Rock, to teach the ancient art of batik (commonly known as tie-dying.
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