Catalyst EDU - Catalyst is Built Upon a Model of Success

Catalyst Academy - Igniting achievement in resilient teens

"We love helping kids. Our staff has decades of experience working with all kinds of teens in a variety of educational and therapeutic settings. Nothing satisfies us more than helping adolescents regain confidence and develop the desire and the academic and social skills they need to step out and take on the world."

-- Ed Porritt, Founder of Catalyst EDU

Catalyst is Built Upon a Model of Success

In 1998, Chinook Alternatives was created as an innovative public program in Boulder, Colorado, designed to prevent and reclaim high school dropouts. In six years, Chinook eventually helped 258 at-risk students graduate, which contributed to a 3-5% reduction in public school district drop-out rates. A key element of the Chinook program’s success was a variable attendance expectation and a college-like block schedule that minimized initial in-classroom time. With tightened state funding, the school district closed this highly successful program in the spring of 2004.

Unwilling to sacrifice his vision for helping our community’s at-risk youth, Ed Porritt, the first teacher and eventually the administrator of Chinook, created Catalyst, a private, non-profit school, based upon Chinook’s proven educational model. Although Boulder County boasts many fine schools, Catalyst stands apart as the only school that provides a comprehensive program tailored to meet the individual academic, social, and emotional needs of each student. This includes recognition that some students simply are unable to attend a full day of school five days a week for an entire semester. Some teens need a schedule that accommodates their physical or mental health challenges. Some need emotional and social support before they can focus on academics. Others need scheduling flexibility to pursue important job or career opportunities.

These students respond well to Catalyst’s short, intensive classes and to working one-on-one with teachers and mentors in a positive peer climate. Catalyst ignites the spirit of the disenfranchised student who is barely hanging on in school or has already walked out the door. Catalyst not only keeps these teens in school, it keeps them eagerly engaged in learning. These valuable young people do not “fall through the cracks.” They graduate from high school and confidently move forward with their lives, prepared to take on a world of challenges.

Which Students Are Candidates for Catalyst?
Catalyst’s Commitment to Academic Achievement
Catalyst’s Commitment to Emotional and Social Growth
How You Can Help Catalyst

Sophia's Story

"I had tumultuous teenage years, with many of my troubles beginning long before high school. I loved learning, but by the time I was a freshman I was using drugs heavily, running away, fighting, and skipping school, because I hated it. Once I started Ed's program, I loved coming to class and doing my homework. I just loved school, and my achievements radiated into every aspect of my life. I stopped using drugs, developed better relationships with my family, found friends who were positive influences, and began making plans for my future. I actually ended up graduating a year early. Thanks to the success that I experienced there, I was offered a full ride scholarship to Metropolitan State College of Denver. Now, at 18, I work full time, attend classes full time, and have a 4.0 GPA."

Sophia Lind,
Former Student