Due to the extreme low temperatures forcasted for Thursday, February 19, 2015, Catalyst-Circle Rock, Catalyst Howland and Catalyst Maria will be closed to scholars and staff. Please be safe during this weather!
After months of rigorous preparation and a successful site visit this week, Catalyst Maria has received AdvancEd accreditation! With this accreditation, Catalyst Maria now can offer Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment classes, as well as start a National Honor Society! Accreditation is a national recognition that Catalyst Maria is preforming at- or above-expectations on five main standards that define excellent schools. Colleges and other institutions will recognize accreditation as a symbol that Catalyst Maria scholars come from a school where rigor is a focus and results are occurring.
While there were numerous contributors to this effort, the charge was led by the accreditation team of Mrs. Ahrens, Mrs. Sandoval, Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Zamora, Mr. Tolisano, Ms. Smith and Ms. Dore! CONGRATULATIONS Catalyst Maria on this REMARKABLE achievement!
Catalyst Howland parent Darlene Williams traveled to Washington DC with the organization Stand for Children Illinois to advocate on behalf of Illinois children! Check out a picture of Ms. Williams and other advocates below!
Catalyst Maria is a recipient of a Mindful Practices SEL Scholarship! Congratulations to Ms. Battle and the Catalyst Maria team!
The Circle Rockets, a 90 scholar Orchestra formed in partnership with Ravinia and Catalyst, are privileged to work with the Civic Orchestra this week! After being mentored and coached by Civic Orchestra musicians each day after school, the Circle Rockets will then play with the Civic in a side-by-side performance - along with students from three other Sistema based programs - at Symphony Center on Saturday, February 7 at 12:00 PM! The press release from Ravinia can be found here. Many thanks to the CSO and Ravinia for making this opportunity a reality for our scholars!
