Catalyst Charter - Maria ES

Catalyst Charter - Maria ES serves 1,102 students in kindergarten through 12th grade on Chicago's South Side. This charter school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.8:1 with 93 full-time equivalent teachers, providing opportunities for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 10% of students performing at proficient levels or above in ELA/Reading across all grades, indicating significant room for academic growth.

These results place the school at #2774 out of 3819 Illinois schools, positioning it in the 27th percentile statewide. Located at 6727 S California Avenue in the 60629 ZIP code, the school serves a diverse working-class community where the median household income is $53,318 and median home value is $224,500. The surrounding neighborhood has a poverty rate of 18%, and 14% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

With over 108,000 residents in the area, this large urban community provides a dynamic environment where families are working to build educational opportunities for their children. The school's K-12 structure offers the unique advantage of educational continuity, allowing students to remain within the same school community throughout their entire academic journey in Chicago's vibrant South Side neighborhood.

Catalyst Charter - Maria ES is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.