Catalyst Maria Charter School

6727 South California Avenue

School District

Chicago Public Schools
Grade

K-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:14
Type

charter

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by student on July 24, 2024

They do nothing for high school students. We don’t get 2 have are phones and the area is not that safe if a shooting would have happen I would at least like to have my phone so I can text my parents or if anything.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2021

Example: They make sure that the kids understand what their doing. And I love that about this school.
Submitted by principal on February 21, 2019

definitely some of the finest teachers and students in the city! Their sports programs are also dynamite
Submitted by other on February 21, 2019

I have found that the entire Catalyst Maria community goes above and beyond to ensure scholars and families needs are met. Awesome School!
Submitted by student on January 24, 2019

I feel as though this school tries to focus on the wrong things like uniforms, they will keep you out of class for the smallest thing wrong with your uniform, teacher-student relationships, they fire any teachers that are "too comfortable" with the students, and their reward systems fail halfway through a school year which is something that they "strive" on, consistency, which is a complete lie.
Submitted by other on September 07, 2016

This school has amazing teachers! They care deeply for my son and have gone out of their way to help him out with his work. They definitely push him hard and that's what I want. There are now so many sports programs and the teams are becoming stronger! I like the discipline at the school - I do not want my child to attend any school where students control the place rather than the teachers.
Submitted by other on July 21, 2015

It makes us feel like dropping out of school and it changes us as teenagers mind about going to college.it also doesn't have a great selection of extra curricular classes.there is no air conditioning and it's hard to do text,work etc.
Submitted by parent on January 06, 2015

Catalyst Maria is a good school. They are new and I understand there will be growing pains. I challenge the administration to find other ways to teach children the consequences of not following the rules such as demerits and taking away extra curricular activities versus immediately moving to suspension or sending a child home during the day. The curriculum challenges my children and that was my primary purpose for seeking enrollment. There just needs to be other alternatives with discipline because as a working parent I don't have the luxury to leave my job to get my child because they didn't follow a rule.
Submitted by parent on September 04, 2014

I believe that the school is great. Some parents don't like structure or discipline. Kids don't go to school for fashion but to focus. I went there when it was a private school so the curriculum is great and also tuff. I believe that anyone finding some wrong with the school because students can't wear unnecessary accessories then transfer them to a public school and see the difference. The teachers really care and parents don't have wait until a teacher feels like being bothered to see a parent they meet with you when its convenient for the parent they work with you.
Submitted by parent on August 18, 2014

There's barely any activities, there's no extra curricular classes, there's only basics and the mandatory classes that no one has use for. the rules are to strict yo the point where they don't make any sense. Catalyst is suppose to be about teaching the student. But how if the kids have no form of expression. It's nothing like a real school. It makes you desperate for any form of humor and you feel like every step you take in that building drains you.
Submitted by parent on June 04, 2014

CATALYST MARIA CHARTER, AFTER GETTING THE RESULTS FROM MY DAUGHTER'S TEACHER, I AM REALLY AMAZED HOW WELL SHE HAS IMPROVED AND IS RANKING ON THE NWEA TESTING. SHE IS FINISHING UP 3RD GRADE....SCORES ARE AS FOLLOWS, RANKS AS A 5TH GRADER IN MATH, AN 8TH GRADER IN READING AND 10TH GRADER IN GENERAL SCIENCE. I LOVE THE FLEX GROUPS THEY HAVE DEVELOPED SO THE CHILDREN WHO ARE DOING BETTER THAN OTHERS STILL CAN GROW EDUCATIONALLY JUST AS THEY DO OFFER TUTORING FOR THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING IN THOSE SAME SUBJECTS. THREE CHEER FOR THE TEACHERS AND STAFF FOR THIER GREAT PERFORMANCES.
Submitted by parent on March 28, 2014

I wonder if colleges don't mind that a scholar has a detention on their record due to wearing the same accessories the staff is wearing. Staff can express themselves in anyway in this so called professional building yet the students can't. Having a uniform is great, however, in college, they do not care what color nail polish you wear or if a guy's hair is past their ear. A school should be a safe place for students. Especially for the elementary kids. There shouldn't be fights every week. If a child is sent to the nurse, they should be well took care of, not treated like another kid that just doesn't feel well. Teachers should actually try to stop or prevent a fight, not just stand there and watch. Then stop it after 10 minutes. Also, I'd like my child to attend a school where they have a voice. Even students who try to respectfully address certain aspects of the school are kicked to the side. Regardless if the answer is no, there's a professional way to handle things.
Submitted by parent on January 18, 2014

Catalyst maria charter school. High school freshman. My son is very happy with his teachers, classes & other students. We thought about transferring him to what we thought would be a better school, but since he's happy here, we're just going to let him finish high school at Maria. We as parent's like everything about the school now. The teachers are easy to talk to. The principal is always available. The building and it's grounds feel safe. No chaos at drop off or during pick up. It's just a great school!!!
Submitted by parent on January 17, 2014

IF YOU DON'T LIKE STRUCTURE AND DISIPLINE, CATALYST MARIA IS NOT THE PLACE TO SEND YOUR CHILD. CATALYST MARIA EVERY YEAR GIVES THE PARENTS AND SCHOLARS THE SCHOOL RULES AND CONSEQUENCES. THESE ARE DESIGNED TO SET STANDARDS. IF YOUR CHILD RECEIVES DEMERITS AND DETENTIONS. THEN YOU AND YOUR CHILD HAS A PROBLEM. IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO SUCCEED WITH A GREAT EDUCATION. THEN YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOUR SCHOLAR IS PREPARED, ON-TIME AND A READY TO LEARN. THE TEACHERS IMPLIMENT MANY TOOLS TO ENCOURAGE THE SCHOLARS TO READ MORE AND TO UNDERSTAND MATH. THE SCHOOL HAS VERY CARING TEACHERS AND STAFF. THEY ONLY WANT YOUR SCHOLAR TO SUCCEED. IF YOU DON'T LIKE STRUCTURE PLEASE DON'T SEND YOUR CHILD TO THIS SCHOOL, MY CHILD LOVES HER TEACHERS AND LOOKS FORWARD TO SEEING HER CLASSMATES EVERY DAY JUST AS THEY ARE TO SEE HER. IN FACT SHE WAS UPSET THAT THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED 2 DAYS FOR THE BAD WEATHER AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH. HAPPINESS IS HAVING A CHILD THAT LOVES TO GO TO SCHOOL. IF SHE HAD HER WAY THERE WOULD BE SCHOOL EVERY DAY. THANK YOU CATALYST MARIA FOR MAKING YOUR SCHOOL CHALLENGING SO OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT BORED OUT OF THIER MINDS.
Submitted by parent on January 09, 2014

Catalyst Maria denies to inform me when my child is being in a different environment (As far as school rules go.) Each week it is something different with this school. I hear numerous complaints about how one thing is allowed one day and the next it isn't. Why can't we stick to solid rules? I really would prefer if my child had a stable day of school instead of worrying about if protocol is being followed, getting out of detention/suspension. Every day it's something. I do not believe my child should serve a 3 hour detention because this school happens to be the closest in which 1 long bus ride has to be taken. They are not always on time, they don't zoom down the streets for the sake of getting my child to school on time. I also constantly hear "If you don't like it, there's the door." What type of principal tells students/ parents that? Not only do I find that disrespectful but unjustified also. As I have said, this is the closest school to home. If I could, I would send my child to a different school. The level of disrespect is shocking. I won't say don't enroll your child, just understand EXACTLY what you're getting yourself into. Thanks for reading my opinion!
Submitted by parent on August 28, 2013

This school is the most racist school I ever know,it has so many irregularities starting for the lunch room,if you're a parent there ask your children every day what do they eat, and how teachers take the food they don't care if the children eat,they take the better foo,I never have seen this before that teachers eat first and children eat what's left.They have good teachers there's not doubt about it,but they don't have a good structure.There's no parent involvement either.
Submitted by parent on September 26, 2012

STRONG TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL LEADERSHIP I LOVE IT! COLLEGE EXPLORATION PROGRAM IS VERY GOOD...WAY TO GO CATALYST! THE MARIA GIRLS ARE GREAT MENTORS TO HS STUDENTS FRM DAY ONE. SOME OF THE RULES ARE A BIT MUCH FOR THE STUDENTS HOWEVER, STRUCTURE IS ALWAYS BETTER. . MY DAUGHTER IS STILL ADJUSTING SO...IDK OR SHOULD I SAY THE JURY IS STILL OUT. I CAN'T GIVE THE SCHOOL A HIGH RATING RIGHT NOW BCUZ IT'S ONLY BEEN A MONTH. THE CURRICULUM IS ABOVE AVERAGE.