The Catalyst Schools are guided by a mission in which a child is holistically educated by a school community committed to “teaching minds and touching hearts.” Our teams collaborate to nurture well-rounded scholars with bright academic, professional, and personal futures that will become change agents for their communities and world. Catalyst staff participate in formal professional development programs, receive comprehensive benefits, and collaborate to create vibrant and dynamic environments for scholars, staff and families.
While the positions below are those we are currently hiring for, we also accept resumes from teaching candidates for positions that are not currently listed. To submit a resume for a position not listed below, please send applicable information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Catalyst Schools are committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals. Catalyst Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.
Catalyst FOIA Officer- Michael Kasang, Director of Administration This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
There is no greater relationship in a Catalyst School than that between a teacher and a student. It is filled with wonder, awe and enormous power. A reflective teacher, aware of and grounded in the sacred and privileged nature of that relationship, impacts the future beyond imagination.
The education that Catalyst envisions is characterized by a fraternal relationship between teacher and student. The teacher is totally immersed in the life of their students: they share their interests, their worries, and their hopes. They are not so much a teacher pounding truths into their heads as they are an older brother or sister who helps students to discern within themselves their deepest call, to come to a better understanding of what is real, to recognize their own abilities, and thereby to discover progressively their place in the world.
Catalyst teachers are guided by a certain philosophy of education, of life really, that informs and describes this powerful and beautiful relationship. This guiding philosophy is the spirit that is to animate every facet of school life and drive the school culture.
It is all about relationship. In the end, the teacher is the decisive element in the classroom and in the lives of the young people entrusted to our care. One’s hands should tremble just a bit before opening the doors to the classroom that holds the minds and hearts that are our future.
Thank you for your interest in attending Catalyst Maria Charter School. Our values-based, college-preparatory school nurtures academic, social, and emotional growth in Chicago students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. We are enthusiastic about your interest and we invite you to contact us at any point with questions or comments.
*Catalyst is a public charter school open to all Chicago students. We serve all students no matter what their race, ethnicity, ancestry, country of origin, language spoken, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, academic ability or need for special educations services. We believe all children can learn and we take an individualized approach to each student’s development.*
For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, Catalyst enrolls K-8 and 10-12 grades through Apply Now. 9th Grade is enrolled through the link here.
Applications are still accepted after the lottery, and scholars will either begin the enrollment process if a seat at the desired grade level is available or will be added to the waiting list for the desired grade.
Catalyst Maria gives siblings preference in the enrollment process- an eligible sibling is defined as a biological sibling, step sibling, foster sibling or legally sibling currently enrolled at Catalyst Maria. Cousins, nieces, nephews and unrelated children sharing an address with the applicant are not considered siblings.
The deadline to be included in the 2023-2024 lottery was March 26, 2023.
The deadline to be included in the 2024-2025 lottery is March 18, 2024. The Catalyst Maria lottery is scheduled for the time and date below:
Catalyst Maria Kindergarten-8th Grade; 10th-12th grades
6727 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL, 60629
Auditorium Stage – March 19, 2024 at 9am
The Catalyst Schools' lottery policy is located here.
To learn more about Catalyst Maria High School, please sign up to receive information on digital tours, staff introductions, and our dynamice programs using the form linked below:
To learn more about Catalyst Maria, check out the video linked here!
Points of Contact
Catalyst Maria Charter School6727 S. California Avenue Chicago, IL 60629 Naurice OliveraDirector of RecruitmentPhone: 773-993-1774Fax: 773-993-1771This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please join our efforts as a champion for changing lives at The Catalyst Schools. If you would like to speak with a Catalyst staff member about your donation, please call us at 773-295-7001.
