About Us

The heart and soul of Catalyst High School are truly the people who embody our community. All are involved.  Our principal, staff, and board members, as well as, our students, their families, and their primary support networks are committed to supporting our students’ well being and success.

Our team helps students develop positive attitudes and productive actions by cultivating their constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and a positive identity. Catalyst High School is built on solid research that shows that teens who engage in these types of activities become happier, healthier, more successful adults.  (Search Institute-40  Assets) Students tailor this process to make it meaningful and relevant to them as individuals.

History

In 1998, Ed Porritt was involved in the creation of a highly successful  program called Chinook Alternatives for the Boulder Valley School District.  At the time, Chinook’s mission was to prevent  high school drop outs. It was in Chinook that the contract based, short block schedule, one-on-one teacher to student interaction model of learning was born and evolved. Chinook Alternatives helped 258 students — who otherwise may have dropped out – to graduate high school. Catalyst High School has been built on the foundation of Chinook’s success.

In public high school one student realized that her horrific nightmares were actually real childhood memories from 10 years ago.  She had haunting images of a family friend raping her repeatedly. Once an avid student, she developed depression. She was often physically ill and missed school. She was failing. She lost all sense of self-respect.  She dropped out of school. Then this student found Catalyst and graduated in December2009. She is pursuing charges against the assailant and will attend college.

In 2004, Chinook Alternatives closed due to funding issues. Parents and educators continued to call Ed. They asked about what high school options there were to fill the void for sensitive, highly capable students who did not fit inside the box and were tragically falling through the cracks.  Eventually, a group of concerned citizens and Chinook Parents started to meet with Ed to plan the possible reintroduction of the highly successful school experience that they valued so highly.  A needs assessment was conducted by an independent researcher, who identified a continued  need for a school for at-risk teens.

In August 2007, Catalyst opened its doors as a non-profit high school with a full team of former Chinook teachers,  The mission of the school once again:  to serve under-achieving, high-potential students at risk of dropping out of high school. Since its inception, Catalyst has continued to evolve rapidly, with new ideas from new research and new teachers, and with more support for students whose mental and academic needs require a more personalized and responsive educational experience.

In May 2010, Catalyst High School earned the highest level of accreditation offered by NCA CASI.   Since 2007, Catalyst has served over 80 full-time students.  For a majority of these students, Catalyst was the second, third for fourth high school attempted. Of these 80 students, 76% of them have found success.  Some are still enrolled,  others have graduated from Catalyst, or transferring later to a larger, traditional public school after a successful rebuilding experience at Catalyst.

How Catalyst is Different from Other Schools

At Catalyst High School, the student assumes responsibility of his or her educational experience. This includes attendance, what to study, when to take a class. The school day is not a 7:30-3:00 seven-period day, rather it is more like a college schedule, with free time built in. The atmosphere is more like a pleasant, casual office, with quite places to work, yet freedom to move around. The pace is not steady – it usually starts relatively slowly and accelerates over time. Finally, during their final months before graduation, rather than catching “senioritis,” Catalyst students finish high school with a crescendo!

How Catalyst is Similar to Other Schools

While we take a different approach to the model of learning, Catalyst offers a similar curriculum as more traditional schools. The most recent Colorado Academic Standards and 21st Century Skills provide framework to create a well-balanced academic program. Objective and widely-recognized assessments measure achievement and growth. A Catalyst transcript looks like a normal block-schedule transcript, with traditional course titles and letter grades. And, Catalyst High School is accredited by North Central Association, a division of Advanc-Ed, the organization that accredits 26,000 high schools and universities through the United States and the world.

Questions to Consider When Looking at Alternative High Schools

When considering a new school, give yourself choices, and look at several schools. Spend at least an hour talking to the admissions counselor at each school. Also, talk to students and spend plenty of time walking around each school. During your visits, think about these questions

• Do I feel comfortable and safe here, so I can be who I really am?
• Do the teachers really care about me, personally?
• Will I be challenged, without getting stressed out?
• Will I be able to maximize my strengths and study my passions?
• Will the teachers know about my academic needs and treat me with respect?
• How much control will I have over my educational life?
• When I have completed the graduation requirements, will I be prepared to do what I want to do next?

FROM our PRINCIPAL The heart and soul of Catalyst is truly in the people who embody our community.