A charter school network with a graduate persistence rate of 98 percent, Catalyst Schools seeks to educate students in mind and heart, developing individuals with a love for learning and for life. Catalyst Circle Rock serves students in kindergarten through 8th grade, and Catalyst Maria serves kindergarten students through high school. These public Chicago charter schools operate under the motto “Teaching minds and touching hearts.” Students at Catalyst Schools study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum balanced with literacy courses, resulting in a rigorous education. Alongside studies in these areas, students also have ample opportunity to develop their character. Teachers focus on positive values and character traits which they seek to model and instill in their students, helping each individual to expand their social-emotional skills. Catalyst also collaborates with numerous nonprofit organizations to supply its students with extracurricular opportunities. These include fine arts enrichment programs ranging from Sistema Ravinia Orchestra to ballroom dancing, and participation in outside activities such as the Culinary Summer Camp under the sponsorship of The Trotter Project.