Rolling Admission

Catalyst operates with a rolling admission policy, which allows students to apply at any time. If accepted, the student may be able to begin attending school within days. Because of our contract-based instructional model, we are able to engage students immediately in learning, using their strengths, passions, and interests as a starting point. Our five-week blocks allow a student a sense of accomplishment within weeks, or even days, of admission.

Our Non-Traditional School Day

• Instead of a term (“semester”) lasting 18 weeks, a typical Catalyst term (“block”) lasts only  five weeks.
• Instead of sitting in school for eight hours per day, the school day for Catalyst students tends to be one-half to two-thirds as long, to more easily facilitate out-of-school activities.
• Instead of being given a schedule that is generated by a computer, the student works with our academic coordinator each month to custom-build a new schedule for specialized classes that may vary daily.
• Instead of earning credit for sitting in school, much of the student’s research and learning generally will take place in the field, in the community and where the student can concentrate best independently.
• Instead of a taking four years to complete high school, Catalyst students often accelerate, which allows students who are behind to catch up or to allow motivated and able students to graduate in fewer than four years.

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays:

Instead of taking six or seven semester-credit classes at a time, the Catalyst student takes three or four quarter-credit academic classes, to improve focus, minimize transition and lesson organizational stress.

Wednesday Wellness

Supporting our students’ physical, mental and emotional health and learning how to contribute as a citizen in the community are not taken for granted at Catalyst High School, where we devote 20% of the week to these life-long issues and skills.  Wednesdays are devoted to health and wellness in a variety of settings and contexts beyond the walls of the school. In addition, specialists, both in house and guests from outside the school, may lead workshops and classes on subject such as nutrition and stress management. Activities often include physical fitness-related experiences, such as hiking, biking, yoga, individual and team oriented recreational games.   Last but not least, the students may engage in group-oriented community service experiences.  These may include cleaning up a section of road, mentoring younger students, or sorting and shelving food in a food bank.

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