Thank you for your interest in attending Catalyst Circle Rock and Catalyst Maria Charter Schools.  Our schools nurture academic, social, and emotional growth in Chicago students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. We invite you to contact us at any point with questions or comments about the application process.

*Catalyst is a public charter school open to all Chicago students.  We serve all students regardless of 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 for applications to be included in Catalyst Maria Charter School's 2017-2018 lottery is Friday, February 10, 2017.  The Catalyst Maria lottery for Kindergarten-12th Grade is Tuesday February 14, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

The deadline for applications to be included in Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School's 2017-2018 lottery is Monday March 20, 2017.  The Catalyst Circle Rock lottery for Kindergarten-8th Grade is Friday March 24, 2017 at 9:00 AM.

The lotteries are held at each school and are open to the public. 

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 gives siblings preference in the enrollment process- an eligible sibling is defined as a biological or legally adopted brother or sister residing in the same household as a student currently enrolled at each respective campus (for example, for sibling preference at Circle Rock the sibling must already attend Catalyst Circle Rock). Cousins, nieces, nephews and unrelated children sharing an address with the applicant are not considered siblings.

The Catalyst applications are available at each school's ADMISSIONS section of the website and at each campus. We are hopeful your family will join the Catalyst communities in 2017-2018!

Three Catalyst Maria High School Seniors-Andrea V., Crystal R., and Emiliano C. achieved the Illinois State Scholar Award this week! The State Scholar Program identifies graduating high school seniors who possess superior academic potential. Students from nearly every high school in Illinois compete in the program, and State Scholars can be found on the campuses of nearly 200 public and private institutions of higher education in Illinois. The combination of exemplary college entrance examination scores and record high school achievement indicate an especially high potential for success in college. To be honored as a State Scholar in Illinois is an outstanding accomplishment that will be a highlight of the recipient’s academic record- we are so proud of Andrea, Crystal and Emiliano!

Through the incredible work of innumerable staff members, scholars, families, community partners, the Sisters of St. Casimir, and more, Catalyst Maria received a five-year renewal (the full, longest term currently awarded) to the Chicago Board of Education!  Many, many thanks to all that have contributed to this school community in any way, and we look forward to serving our 1,100 Kindergarten-12^th Grade scholars, their families, and the Chicago Lawn community for many years to come!

The Catalyst Board of Directors' will have their second scheduled meeting of the 2016-2017 school year on November 21, 2016. This meeting will be held at Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School, located at 5608 W. Washington Blvd. Chicago, IL 60644 and will be from 3:00-5:30 PM.

All Catalyst Board meetings are open to the public.  The agenda for this meeting is below:

*Welcome and mission moment

*Review and vote for approval of September 19, 2016 Board of Directors’ meeting’s minutes

*Update on Board membership status

• Vote on initial term for Yuan-Ying Hsu to Catalyst Schools’ Board of Directors
• Vote on renewal of term for Bethany Sandon on Catalyst Schools’ Board of Directors
• SY2015-2016 SQRP scores review
• Progress report on Catalyst Maria ES, Catalyst Maria HS and Catalyst Circle Rock’s strategic plans

*Academic Committee

*Development Committee

• Education Celebration 2016 update

*Finance Committee

• FY17 YTD update

*Update on Catalyst Circle Rock facility discussions

*CEO annual review

*Adjournment

Please support the Catalyst Circle Rock service learning group We Rock! in a contest to win a trip to the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. in January! CCR scholars have been doing great service learning projects to make their community and world a better place, and this trip would be a great opportunity for the We Rock! group. By clicking on the link here, you can vote for Circle Rock every day until November 15th (Catalyst Circle Rock's zip code is 60644). Please vote and share this link with anyone you know- thank you for your support!