Dear Catalyst community,

We hope that you are safe, healthy and doing well. We are incredibly grateful for the heroic efforts of Catalyst parents, staff, scholars and partners who have worked tremendously to make remote learning as successful as possible.  We have been able to get 100% of scholars connected at home (with a Catalyst device available to all), and we are seeing ~94% average daily attendance across the network.

When we made the decision in August to remain remote, it was informed by our parents and staff and based on the safety of everyone in our community. Staff and parents have worked incredibly hard towards an online learning platform that has worked well. In determing how we move forward into Quarter 2 was again driven by community safety and our capacity to ensure an excellent and accessible online platform for our scholars. Here’s what is known:

• Survey feedback from parents and staff members have indicated a strong sense of success with online learning;
• Scholar attendance has been strong, closely aligned to what would be expected during in-person learning;
• Parent feedback has indicated satisfaction with our approach 
• Parent feedback indicates that ~30% at Maria and 37% at CCR would send their child back to campus for in person learning after Q1;
• The remaining percentage of parents have said they are unsure or would not send their child back at this point;
• COVID19 infection rates are increasing in almost every state, including IL;
• The medical community has been warning of a second wave and believe we may be entering it;
• We are approaching flu season which complicates health issues;
• We do not have access to a vaccine or treatment;

In considering these items, we have determined that this compels us to continue our current remote learning platform through Quarter 2. After numerous conversations and surveys, school and network leadership are in alignment on this. We will smartly reassess when we return from winter break with the earliest date of return to on-site instruction for scholars being the start of Q3, February 8, 2020. At this point, the one thing we know for sure is that we need to reach and teach every one of our scholars. 

Be well, stay safe, and much peace and grace to our Catalyst families. Stay connected and do not become isolated- please reach out and let us know what we can do to support you.

-The Catalyst Schools team

Dear Catalyst families,

We hope that you are safe, healthy, and are doing well! In addition to the Catalyst families being able to access meals at 450 Chicago Public School locations, Catalyst families are also able to obtain meals for their household at Catalyst Circle Rock and Catalyst Maria every Monday and Wednesday from 10:00-1:00.  Please contact the Catalyst team for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the website below to find the CPS location providing meals closest to your home.

CPS Grab-and-Go Meal Sites

Hello Catalyst families!

We hope that you are safe, healthy and doing well! Plesae find the Catalyst Circle Rock Scholar and Family Handbook linked here.

Please contact our team at the contacts linked here with any questions or concerns. Thank you and stay safe!

Dear Catalyst families,

We hope that you are safe and healthy. Please find general support resources below, and if there is any matter that we can specifically assist with, please contact our team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or either school's Main Office (Catalyst Circle Rock- 773-945-5025 or Catalyst Maria 773-993-1770) or through ClassDojo or Illuminate.  

Unemployment Benefits

• Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Website
• You may also call IDES at 1-800-244-5631. (También puede llamar al 1-800-244-5631. El soporte está disponible en español.)

State Cash Assistance – Low-Income Families

Hello Catalyst Maria community,

We hope that you are safe, healthy and doing well. Regarding the decision to begin the 2020-2021 school year with remote learning, please find a letter from Catalyst Maria leadership linked below. Additional information on scholar and family support during remote learning will be forthcoming. Please contact the Catalyst Maria school school leadership with questions or concerns at the contacts linked at Catalyst Maria. Thank you and stay safe!

Catalyst Maria Parent Letter August 2020

Catalyst Maria Parent Letter August 2020 (Espanol)