The Catalyst Schools

What The Catalyst Schools does

The Catalyst Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, operating two campuses: Catalyst Maria Charter School (K-12, serving the Chicago Lawn community at 6727 S. California Ave.) and Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School (K-8, serving the Austin community at 5608 W. Washington Blvd.). Founded in 2006 and authorized by Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education, the network provides values-based, college-preparatory education to Chicago students regardless of background. The original North Lawndale campus (Catalyst Howland) appears to have ceased operations, with current communications referencing only the two remaining campuses.

The academic and program stack centers on Project Lead The Way STEM curriculum (with Vex IQ robotics), the OneGoal teacher-led college persistence program (87% college enrollment, 83% persistence among participants), the Circle Rockets Orchestra in partnership with Ravinia, and social-emotional learning resources. Delivery is enabled by a commodity technology stack — Infinite Campus for the parent/student portal, SchoolMint for enrollment, Illuminate for instruction, Google Workspace and Google Meet for productivity and remote learning, Class Dojo for communication, and Parchment for transcripts. Catalyst Maria received AdvancEd accreditation in 2015 and Catalyst Circle Rock earned a full five-year charter renewal that year, both enabling Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and National Honor Society chapters.

Revenue is driven by per-pupil funding from CPS and ISBE based on enrollment, supplemented by donations and grants through Network for Good, Amazon Smile, Donors Choose, and corporate contributions (Northrup Grumman, Darden/Olive Garden, PNC Bank). The schools are tuition-free and admit students via a lottery-based open enrollment system, with applications processed through SchoolMint for K-8 and grades 10-12. Go-to-market is community-led: digital tours, school information sessions, family and community partnerships, and parent referrals drive awareness, with FY25 budgeted revenue of $30,415,833 and approximately 225–250 full-time employees network-wide.

Name

The Catalyst Schools

Legal name

The Catalyst Schools

Website

https://catalystschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Catalyst Schools is a nonprofit public charter school network in Chicago operating two campuses — Catalyst Maria (K-12) and Catalyst Circle Rock (K-8) — providing tuition-free, values-based college-preparatory education funded primarily by per-pupil allocations from Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

K-12 Charter Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter STEM/STEAM-Focused Schools (EDAJACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC), Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• K-12 education services
• College preparatory programs
• STEM education curriculum
• Public charter schools

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Funding: Public charter schools receive per-pupil funding from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Illinois State Board of Education based on enrollment. For FY25, Catalyst had $30,415,833 in budgeted revenue with $30,023,607 in budgeted expenses.
2. Donations and Grants: Catalyst Schools receives donations through Network for Good, Amazon Smile, Donors Choose, and corporate grants from organizations like Northrup Grumman, Darden Restaurants/Olive Garden, and PNC Bank.
3. Transcript Fees: Catalyst Maria Charter School transcripts may be requested through Parchment for a fee.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Catalyst Schools operates a network of public charter schools in Chicago, currently comprising Catalyst Maria (K-12 at 6727 S. California Ave., Chicago Lawn) and Catalyst Circle Rock (K-8 at 5608 W. Washington Blvd., Austin). It delivers tuition-free, values-based, college-preparatory education that integrates Project Lead The Way STEM curriculum, OneGoal college persistence, the Circle Rockets Orchestra (Ravinia partnership), Catalyst Maria Wolves athletics, and social-emotional learning. The network is authorized by Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education and holds AdvancEd accreditation.

Product overview

The Catalyst Schools operates a network of public charter schools in Chicago, currently comprising Catalyst Maria (K-12) and Catalyst Circle Rock (K-8). The organization offers a holistic, values-based, college-preparatory education with academic programs including Project Lead The Way STEM curriculum, arts enrichment through the Renaissance Enrichment Program and Circle Rockets Orchestra partnership with Ravinia, and the OneGoal college persistence program. The network provides technology-enabled learning through Infinite Campus parent portals, SchoolMint enrollment systems, Google Workspace tools for instruction, and comprehensive e-learning capabilities. Athletic programs include the Catalyst Maria Wolves competing in multiple sports. The schools serve the Austin and Chicago Lawn communities with emphasis on scholar leadership development through National Honor Society participation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Catalyst Maria Charter School A values-based, college-preparatory public charter school serving students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade, located at 6727 S. California Ave., Chicago, IL in the Chicago Lawn community. Offers tuition-free, open-enrollment education to all Chicago students.
• Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School A public charter school serving students in Kindergarten through 8th Grade, located at 5608 W. Washington Blvd., Chicago, IL in the Austin community. Provides tuition-free, values-based, college-preparatory education.
• Project Lead The Way (PLTW) STEM Program Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum program with engineering design challenges, coding instruction, and hands-on robotics using Vex IQ kits, supporting K-12 scholars at Catalyst Schools.
• OneGoal College Persistence Program College persistence program with a dedicated Program Director supporting scholars through high school to college graduation, achieving 87% college enrollment rate and 83% persistence or graduation rate among participants.
• Circle Rockets Orchestra A 90-scholar orchestra program formed in partnership with Ravinia, providing instrumental music education and performance opportunities. Scholars have performed at Ravinia, Symphony Center, and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
• Catalyst Maria Wolves Athletics Program Athletic program representing Catalyst Maria at High School and Middle School levels in basketball, soccer, cheerleading, football, softball, baseball, track, and volleyball.
• Renaissance Enrichment Program Arts-based enrichment activities offered through community partnerships at Catalyst Schools.
• National Honor Society / National Junior Honor Society Recognition program for outstanding students demonstrating excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character, established following AdvancEd accreditation.
• Remote/E-Learning Program Remote learning infrastructure including live real-time instruction, small group activities, and independent learning components, delivered with approximately 94% average daily attendance during remote periods.
• Social-Emotional Learning Resources Virtual Calm Room and social-emotional support resources including Sanford Harmony program and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• 87% of OneGoal high school graduates enroll in college; 83% persist or graduate with college degree
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered primary campus partner, core and minor.

• Maria Kaupas Centerprimary campus partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Maria Kaupas Center is a space where spirituality, community and leadership merge, creating opportunities for young people to grow and develop. It serves as the primary campus partner for Catalyst Maria, providing spiritual, community, and leadership development programs for students.
• OneGoalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOneGoal is a growing movement working to make college graduation possible for all students. It's the nation's only teacher-led college persistence organization with 87% of high school graduates enrolling in college and 83% persisting or graduating. Ms. Sasha Fawaz serves as OneGoal Program Director at Catalyst Maria.
• Project Lead The Way (PLTW)coreTechnology or IntegrationProject Lead The Way is the nation's leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Through K-12 curriculum, high-quality teacher professional development, and outstanding partnerships, PLTW helps students develop skills needed in the global economy.
• AdvancEdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvancEd is the largest community of education professionals in the world, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that conducts rigorous, on-site external reviews of PreK-12 schools to ensure all learners realize their full potential. Catalyst Maria received AdvancEd accreditation.
• National Honor Society and National Junior Honor SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Honor Society is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. NHS serves to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character since 1921.
• Schools That CancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchools That Can is a national organization forming collaborative networks of high-performing inner-city schools to grow low-income families' access to quality schools nationwide. Catalyst Maria is a member school.
• Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst Maria is a member of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools, which advocates for charter schools and provides parent leadership training programs.
• Ravinia FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRavinia partners with Catalyst to support the Circle Rockets Scholar Orchestra, a 90-scholar orchestra program. Ravinia Jazz Scholars and Civic Orchestra members work alongside scholars. Circle Rockets Orchestra has performed at Ravinia, Symphony Center, and with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
• Chicago ScholarscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Scholars is a college access program. Of 1,700 students who applied across Chicago, Catalyst Maria had twelve scholars accepted into the program, with only 100 selected city-wide.
• Leader in MecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeader in Me is a national program that honors and develops scholar, staff and school community leaders. Catalyst Maria received a Lighthouse School grant to implement the program.
• St. Mary's University of MinnesotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSt. Mary's University partners with Catalyst through the 'First Generation: Countdown to College' program, a four-year summer program engaging Catalyst graduates between 8th grade and high school graduation to prepare them for college success.
• Accelerate Institute (Ryan Fellows)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst Maria High School Principal Mrs. Sandoval is an Accelerate Institute Ryan Fellow, highlighting leadership development and school transformation support.
• Mindful PracticesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst Maria received a Mindful Practices SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Scholarship supporting social-emotional development programs.
• DonorsChooseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonorsChoose platform allows supporters to find and fund Catalyst teacher projects and classroom needs, connecting educators with individual donors.
• Future Leaders of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalyst Maria High School scholars Isa M. and Michael B. were accepted into Future Leaders of Chicago program, living on campus at University of Chicago for leadership training with Chicago business leaders.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• National Heritage Academies: Large for-profit charter management organization operating charter schools nationwide. Comparable charter management scale and college-prep positioning, though operates on a for-profit basis unlike Catalyst's nonprofit structure.
• Chicago Public Schools (CPS): The traditional public school district from which Catalyst draws students via lottery. As the authorizer and largest alternative to charter schools in Chicago, represents the broad incumbent option families consider alongside Catalyst.

Direct peers

• IDEA Public Schools: Large national charter network with comparable college-prep STEM-focused curriculum model. Comparable outcomes-driven charter approach with strong college persistence metrics.
• Acero Schools: Chicago charter network operating multiple campuses serving primarily Latino students in similar neighborhoods (Little Village, Brighton Park). Comparable multi-site charter model with similar bilingual/bicultural community engagement.
• KIPP Chicago Schools: National KIPP charter network operating multiple Chicago campuses serving K-12 students in underserved communities. Comparable college-prep charter model with strong outcomes focus and similar values-based education approach.
• Chicago Collegiate Charter Schools: Chicago charter school network serving similar student demographics in underserved communities. Directly comparable college-prep charter model with K-12 pathways.
• Friendship Public Charter Schools: Multi-campus charter network serving underserved communities with college-prep focus. Comparable values-based charter model targeting similar demographics with similar college persistence programming.
• Perspectives Charter Schools: Chicago charter network with A Disciplined Life program, similar values-based approach. Comparable Chicago charter school model serving similar demographics in the city.
• UNO Charter School Network: Chicago charter network with multiple campuses serving Hispanic communities. Comparable multi-site charter model operating in similar Chicago neighborhoods with values-based education positioning.
• Noble Network of Charter Schools: Chicago's largest charter network operating 18+ campuses serving primarily low-income students. Directly comparable multi-site charter school model focused on college persistence in Chicago, with substantially larger scale than Catalyst.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/catalystschools

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Catalyst Schools