Pros
Catalyst began with a strong vision: to create equitable, innovative learning spaces for all students. Many educators here are deeply passionate, mission-driven, and committed to students’ success. There is genuine care among colleagues, and many staff members work tirelessly to meet the needs of students and families.
Cons
Unfortunately, the implementation of Catalyst’s mission has often fallen short of its stated values and has provided a clear example of why Charter Schools have the reputations they do. During my time at the school, I and several colleagues experienced a lack of consistent support around student behavior, staff safety, and workload sustainability. When safety concerns were raised, including repeated physical aggression from students against staff, the responses from the administration, specifically the co-founders, often minimized, deflected, or ignored rather than addressed the concerns. The leadership structure is heavily centralized, and decision-making frequently lacks transparency or collaboration. Several staff who voiced concerns experienced dismissal or subtle retaliation. This pattern was clear in the 24-25 school year when approximately 40% of the staff resigned or were terminated. Staff turnover has been high since the school’s founding, and this pattern continues to impact both culture and continuity of learning.
