Catalyst Academy opened in 2020 during the pandemic – the first new K-8 charter school in Pittsburgh in six years! We are located in the newly renovated historic Lemington school building. We prepare our scholars to define —and achieve – their dreams. Here’s our top 10 reasons why we are worth considering for your young scholar:
1) At Catalyst, we instill growth mindsets (one of our core values is GROW!) and unlock an awareness of opportunities — for every one of our scholars — in college, career, and life.
2) We opened for Kindergarten and 1st grade in 2020, and have added a grade per year. For 2024-25 we will serve Kindergarten through 5th Grade. We will continue to grow a grade each year to eventually serve kindergarten through 8th grade.
3) As a public charter school, Catalyst Academy is a tuition-free, open-enrollment school for any student, including students with special needs and English-language learners, in the city of Pittsburgh and other area communities.
4) We do whatever it takes for our scholars. We were nationally recognized for our COVID response. We were the only school in Pennsylvania to be recognized by the STOP Foundation for how we stepped up during the pandemic on behalf of our school community. Indeed, we were one of the only public schools in Pittsburgh to safely offer in person learning 5 days/week during the 2020-21 school year.
5) Our core values are incorporated into everything we do — Belong. Grow. Achieve.
Belong — All community scholars, families, teachers, and staff are embraced, respected, and supported.
Grow — Every Catalyst Academy scholar, teacher, and staff member is committed to growing every day in alignment with our mission.
Achieve — A great education should be a catalyst for each scholar to define and achieve their dreams.
6) With Arts (e.g., music, theater, dance) four days a week and STEM five days a week, we enrich our students by introducing and exposing them to important subjects and vital life skills, for secondary education and beyond.
And we develop our scholars in a holistic manner — including SEL (social emotional learning) and physical education.
7) Our curriculum is anchored in rigorous math, English language arts, and culturally-affirming humanities lessons.
8) It was an extraordinary journey to obtain our charter approval from PPS and our team is thrilled to educate scholars in the recently renovated, historic Lemington school building.
We will prepare our scholars to define and achieve their dreams!
9) Our educational model is carefully designed to close achievement & opportunity gaps with:
High Expectations
We push ourselves and our scholars to always pursue excellence.
Academic Rigor
College prep, culturally affirming curriculum, longer school day and year.
Quality Teaching
Small group instruction, instructional coaches, up to two hours daily for planning and practice.
Strong Relationships
Smaller classes enhancing student and teacher relationships, frequent teacher-parent communication and home visits.
Holistic Development
Scholar goal circles, social-emotional learning curriculum, and dedicated Catalyst Community Time combine to foster a well-rounded scholar.
10) We are in our founding years. After successfully launching in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, we continue to grow each year and add new grades, it’s a very special time and we would love to share it with you and your child. Enroll now!
Catalyst Academy Charter School’s mission is to prepare all students for college, career, and life. Catalyst Academy Charter School’s core values of Belong. Grow. Achieve. reflect the school’s deep commitment to cultivating an inclusive supportive school community where everyone – children and adults – is focused on learning every day, in order for all students to define and achieve their dreams. Catalyst Academy Charter School’s education model is designed to close both the achievement and opportunity gap. The approach couples rigorous core academics with a broad offering in the arts and sciences. Students will experience STEM learning daily and arts programming four days per week. Enroll your Kindergarten through Fifth grader today!
