03 Oct Catalyst Academy Charter School Receives $1.4 Grant from the U.S. Department of Education

Catalyst Academy Charter School recently received a grant for $1,491,957 from the U.S. Department of Education Expanding Opportunity Through Quality Charter Schools Program (CSP)-Grants to Charter School Developers for the Opening of New Charter Schools Grant to open a K-8 charter school in East Liberty, beginning with kindergarten and first grade in the 2019-2020 school year. This charter school intends to serve primarily children from underserved, majority African-American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh’s East End.

Catalyst Academy Charter School will utilize funding from the Charter School Program Developer Fund to create a world-class K-8 school that prepares all students effectively for college, career, and life. This holistic approach to our scholars’ development will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to be a catalyst for positive change for themselves, and in their families and communities. Specifically, Catalyst will focus on academic rigor, innovation and personalization, and holistic scholar development, through high expectations, strong relationships, and quality teaching.

Every child in Pittsburgh must have access to great schools that prepare all students for success in college, career, and life in 21st-century America. Sadly, Pittsburgh is currently falling far short of this vision. Approximately 8 of every 10 students in the Pittsburgh Public Schools system are attending a low-quality school (as measured by a Pennsylvania School Performance Profile score below 70)—in comparison to 3 of every 10 students in the remainder of Allegheny County. Students attending such schools are highly unlikely to be able to escape poverty.

Catalyst Academy Charter School is a college-preparatory K-8 public charter school in Pittsburgh, focused on serving families in the Hill District, Garfield, East Liberty, Larimer, Lincoln-Lemington, Homewood, and East Hills communities as well as families from across Pittsburgh that are looking for a great school. Catalyst Academy will open as a K-1 school in the fall of 2020, and then grow a grade each year to eventually serve kindergarten through 8th grade. As a public charter school, Catalyst Academy will be a free, open-enrollment school for any student in the city of Pittsburgh. Catalyst Academy Charter School will operate with an extended school day and have an extended school year calendar.