Catalyst Circle Rock: Teaching Minds and Touching Hearts
A TNB partner school profile
Catalyst Circle Rock, on the northwest corner of Central Avenue and Washington Boulevard just a half-mile from The Neighborhood Bridge offices, is one of two Catalyst network schools functioning as Chicago Public School (CPS) system charter schools. Catalyst Schools are a pioneering K-12 public charter school network nationwide that follows the educational philosophy and pedagogy of St. John Baptist De La Salle: that an excellent education be available to all, that the academic needs of students be supplemented with social-emotional enrichment programs, and that learning be supported with compassion and care for the whole person.
HISTORY
The Catalyst Schools network was established in 2006, with the encouragement of the Lasallian Midwest District Council, in response to an invitation from then-CEO of CPS and future U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He noticed that alumni of the tuition-free and values-based private elementary San Miguel Schools Chicago were graduating from high school at more than twice the rate of their peers at local CPS schools. The district encouraged the Board of Directors of San Miguel Schools Chicago, and the school's co-founders Gordon Hannon and Ed Siderewicz, to replicate San Miguel as charter schools, serving public school students in under-served areas of the city. After investigating the opportunity and recognizing the educational benefit to Chicago's under-served youth and their families, the board opened its first charter schools in 2007 and 2008, calling them Catalyst Schools.
Catalyst understands that the communities they serve have incredible gifts, and their assets, culture, and heritage hold the promise of a great future.
MISSION & PASSION
Catalyst Circle Rock, one of those charter schools, today serves 520 scholars in grades K-8, residing primarily in the Austin and Chicago Lawn neighborhoods. With a staff of 80 and a scholar-to-faculty ratio of 25:1, more than 80% of its students qualify for the federal free- and reduced-price lunch program.
Catalyst Schools were founded to serve children living in communities challenged by the effects of discrimination and economic poverty. Catalyst understands that the communities they serve have incredible gifts, and their assets, culture, and heritage hold the promise of a great future. The schools unlock the gifts within each student by addressing the whole child: academic, social-emotional, physical, and psychological.
As co-founder and current director of External Relations, Ed Siderewicz notes, “We teach the scholars to live a life of leadership, meaning, and purpose, and to build a world that is just and peaceful.”
Catalyst schools create communities where staff, scholars, and families become active collaborators in both education and their lives, enabling children to open their minds and hearts to life, love, and knowledge.
CURRICULUM
The rigorous academic curriculum emphasizes a balance of literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) with frequent exposure to technology using iPads, Chromebooks and more. Scholars also learn social-emotional skills through targeted instruction in leadership, positive character traits, and values. Their holistic approach includes Post-Secondary Success and Graduate Support programs to augment the academic instruction and ensure that scholars have the social-emotional tools and vision to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary studies.
Catalyst Schools create communities where staff, scholars and families become active collaborators in both education and their lives, enabling children to open their minds and hearts to life, love, and knowledge.
What do parents value most about the school? Erika Whitehead, assistant principal, says, “Safety is a top answer by many parents. They would also say that Catalyst Circle Rock is a place where their child feels recognized and valued. The community of educators is deeply committed and dedicated to these scholars, and they develop deep and meaningful relationships with them.”
A remarkable feature is that, 19 years after its founding, six members of the present faculty are graduates of Catalyst Circle Rock, returning to the very classrooms that formed them a decade or more ago.
EXTRACURRICULARS
At Catalyst Circle Rock, over half of the scholars participate in after-school programs. The school partners with several nonprofit organizations that provide outside instructors for the fine arts enrichment initiative, which includes the Chicago Children's Choir, Ravinia’s Reach*Teach*Play program, May I Have This Dance? ballroom dancing, and Towers of Excellence.
A COMMUNITY TREASURE
The newest addition to the campus is the Kehrein Center for the Arts on the corner of Washington and Parkside. Following a $5 million restoration in 2019, the center serves as the school auditorium and a performance arts center, available for community use as well. It is also home to the Sistema Ravinia Orchestra, which works with four Chicago Public Schools in the Austin community.
Catalyst Circle Rock manages the bookings for the events at Kehrein Center. Since its opening, nearly 100,000 people have enjoyed school-led productions and productions put on by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Music of the Baroque, and more.
LOVE IN ACTION
Catalyst’s tagline is Teaching Minds and Touching Hearts, derived from the Lasallian family of schools, founded in 17thCentury France by St. John Baptist De La Salle.
Catalyst’s 5 core values are:
Faith in love
Respect for all persons
Inclusive community
Quality education
Solidarity with community and social justice
Love is first and foremost. As quantum physicist David Bohm noted: “What it means to be a person is ultimately to unfold the love that has been enfolded into us.”
Ed Siderewicz offers this final thought: “What I witness the most here is love in action. Catalyst’s lead core value is Faith in Love. The bridge between islands of darkness is the light illumined by love. Our teachers and staff model love clearly and consistently each day. Once our scholars experience the love that surrounds them daily, they begin to model love back.”
Would you like to see what love in action looks like? Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School welcomes visitors. To arrange a visit, contact Ed Siderewicz at 312.560.7154.