We hope that your family will join a dynamic, loving school community in Chicago's Austin and Chicago Lawn communities! Catalyst Schools' values-based, college-preparatory school communities nurture 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.*
The deadline to be included in the 2021-2022 lottery is March 15, 2021. The Catalyst lotteries will be held at the times, dates and locations below:
Catalyst Maria Kindergarten-8th Grade; 10th-12th grades
6727 S. California Ave. Chicago, IL, 60629
Auditorium Stage – March 16, 2021 at 9am
Catalyst Circle Rock Kindergarten-8th Grade
5608 W. Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60644
Multi-Purpose Room – March 17, 2021 at 9am
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.
The Catalyst Schools' lottery policy is located here.
The Catalyst Circle Rock and Catalyst Maria applications may be accessed through the link below:
I hope that you are safe, healthy and are doing well. We will be offering Community Tech Office Hours to answer any questions families may have beginning in January through the end of the year. Please click on the link below and you will be joining an online portal for tech help.
When school is in session before and after break, if you are having an issue with your Catalyst issued device please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have a technology emergency situation (such as no internet at home or if your Google meet is not working to reach a class), you can call 773-527-7330 for assistance.
Please stay safe and reach out to the school or network teams with any support we can provide.
We hope that you are safe, healthy, and are doing well. In anticipation if the upcoming winter break from 12/19/20 through 1/5/2021, we want to make you aware of the items below:
Food Distribution:
Normal meal distribution will continue on Mondays and Wednesdays between 10:00am – 1:00pm during break.
Technology Assistance:
When school is in session before and after break, if you are having an issue with your Catalyst issued device please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have a technology emergency situation (such as no internet at home or if your Google meet is not working to reach a class), you can call 773-527-7330 for assistance.
Please stay safe and reach out to the school or network teams with any support we can provide.
The Catalyst Board of Directors will hold a meeting November 23, 2020 from 3:00-5:30 pm. The agenda and meeting information are below. If you have questions, please contact Catalyst's Director of Administration Michael Kasang at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Or dial: +1 316-302-5724 PIN: 566 654 548#
*3:00-3:15- Welcome: Dr. Colleen Reardon, Chair and Mr. Gordon Hannon, CEO
Review of agenda
Review and vote for approval of September 28, 2020 Board of Directors meeting minutes; November 12, 2020 Finance Committee meeting minutes, and October 30, 2020 Academic Committee meeting minutes
Review and vote on initial three-year term to Catalyst Board of Directors for Monica Smith
*3:15-3:30- Reflection on recent Symposium on Racial Reconciliation held in the KCA
*3:30-3:40 -Public comment (limited to 2 minutes per speaker)
*3:40-4:00 - Finance and Strategic Issues Committee: Mr. Steve Brown
FY20 audits update
FY21 budget YTD
KCA campaign closure and Austin Renaissance Council update
*4:00-4:20 Academic Committee: Dr. Catherine Burns
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.
