The Catalyst Schools is a system of Chicago-based K-8 and high school charter schools operating in the city's Austin and Chicago Lawn neighborhoods.
The two schools in the system are the Catalyst Circle Rock Elementary School and the Catalyst Maria Elementary School and High School.
Quick Facts (2026)
- Top-Ranked IL School
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-8
- Enrollment: 258 students
- Average class size: 18 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Top Rankings
Circle-Rock Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Student Body
School Overview
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-8
Year Founded
1995
School Calendar
Campus Size
2 acres
Student Body
Total Students
258 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
100%
State avg.: 34%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
14 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
National avg.:
Average Class Size
18 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Application URL
School Notes
- School Motto: Teaching minds and touching hearts
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Circle-Rock Preparatory School's ranking?
Circle-Rock Preparatory School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Illinois for: Highest percentage of students of color and Largest student body.
When is the application deadline for Circle-Rock Preparatory School?
The application deadline for Circle-Rock Preparatory School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
In what neighborhood is Circle-Rock Preparatory School located?
Circle-Rock Preparatory School is located in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, IL. There are 13 other private schools located in Austin.
Related Schools
Show me:
People that viewed Circle-Rock Preparatory School also viewed these schools: St. Catherine Siena-st Lucy School, St. Paul Lutheran School, St. Angela School and Providence St. Mel School.
The nearest high school to Circle-Rock Preparatory School is Christ The King Jesuit College Preparatory School (0.7 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is St. Catherine Siena-st Lucy School (0.6 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Little Folks Cottage Daycare & Nursery (0.4 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
27 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Avg. class size: 15 students
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
846 N Menard Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 67 students Avg. class size: 9 students
St. Angela School
(Catholic)
1332 N Massasoit Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-2655
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-2655
1.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 203 students
119 S Central Park Blvd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
2.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 317 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
119 S Central Park Blvd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
2.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 317 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
27 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Avg. class size: 15 students
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
846 N Menard Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 67 students Avg. class size: 9 students
St. Angela School
(Catholic)
1332 N Massasoit Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-2655
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-2655
1.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 203 students
119 S Central Park Blvd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
2.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 317 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
27 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Avg. class size: 15 students
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
846 N Menard Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 67 students Avg. class size: 9 students
St. Angela School
(Catholic)
1332 N Massasoit Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-2655
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-2655
1.5 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 203 students
119 S Central Park Blvd
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
Chicago, IL 60624
(773) 265-2204
2.6 miles
Gr: PK-12 | 317 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Little Folks Cottage Daycare & Nursery
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
5926 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 379-4419
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 379-4419
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 30 students
Little Leaders Of Tomorrow
Daycare / Preschool
5153 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 378-8302
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 378-8302
0.6 miles
Gr: K | 6 students
27 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Avg. class size: 15 students
5088 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-7505
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-7505
0.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Chicago Jesuit Academy ![Chicago Jesuit Academy Photo - Our classrooms have two co-teachers and 24 students per classroom.]( "Chicago Jesuit Academy Photo - Our classrooms have two co-teachers and 24 students per classroom.")
(Catholic)
5058 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 638-6103
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 638-6103
0.8 miles
Gr: 3-8 | 360 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
5088 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-7505
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-7505
0.7 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Avg. class size: 25 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Austin Career Education Center
Alternative School
5352 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-6988
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 626-6988
0.9 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 63 students
Academy Of Scholastic Achievement
Alternative School
4651 W. Madison
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 921-1315
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 921-1315
1.2 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 176 students Avg. class size: 24 students Sports: 1 Acceptance rate listed
Fenwick High School
(Catholic)
505 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 948-0332
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 948-0332
1.2 miles
Gr: 9-12 | 1,101 students Sports: 18
Community Christian Alternative Academy
Alternative School
1231 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 762-2272
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 762-2272
2.4 miles
Gr: 10-12 | 177 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
27 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Avg. class size: 15 students
Chicago Jesuit Academy ![Chicago Jesuit Academy Photo - Our classrooms have two co-teachers and 24 students per classroom.]( "Chicago Jesuit Academy Photo - Our classrooms have two co-teachers and 24 students per classroom.")
(Catholic)
5058 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 638-6103
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 638-6103
0.8 miles
Gr: 3-8 | 360 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Intercultural Montessori Language School of Oak Park ![Intercultural Montessori Language School of Oak Park Photo]( "Intercultural Montessori Language School of Oak Park Photo")
Montessori School
301 S. Ridgeland Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 848-6626
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 848-6626
1 miles
Gr: NS-8 | 80 students Avg. class size: 22 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Our Lady Immaculate Academy
(Catholic)
410 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-2408
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 524-2408
1 miles
Gr: 2-8 | 25 students
St. Paul Lutheran School
(Lutheran Church Missouri Synod)
846 N Menard Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 378-6644
1 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 67 students Avg. class size: 9 students
School
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
Little Folks Cottage Daycare & Nursery
Daycare / Preschool (Christian)
5926 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 379-4419
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 379-4419
0.4 miles
Gr: PK-K | 30 students
Little Leaders Of Tomorrow
Daycare / Preschool
5153 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 378-8302
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 378-8302
0.6 miles
Gr: K | 6 students
27 Washington Blvd
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-5286
0.6 miles
Gr: PK-8 | 208 students Avg. class size: 15 students
Development Center
Daycare / Preschool
4920 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-2223
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 261-2223
0.9 miles
Gr: K | 35 students Tuition listed
309 North Cicero Avenue
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 850-8689
Chicago, IL 60644
(773) 850-8689
1 miles
Gr: K | 5 students
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Miles
Quick Facts
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
1835 Apple Valley Rd
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
(630) 226-4400
Bolingbrook, IL 60490
(630) 226-4400
9192.2 miles
Gr: K-5 | 345 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 84%
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
39 S Eagle St
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6345
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6345
9192.3 miles
Gr: K-4 | 235 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 31%
(Math: 59% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1024 Magnolia Ln
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6341
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 420-6341
9192.5 miles
Gr: K-5 | 726 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 33%
(Math: 48% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
110 E 11th Ave
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 420-6332
Naperville, IL 60563
(630) 420-6332
9192.6 miles
Gr: K-5 | 619 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
(Math: 31% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
3s600 Herrick Rd
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 821-7900
Warrenville, IL 60555
(630) 821-7900
9192.6 miles
Gr: 6-8 | 679 students Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 46%
School Reviews
Endorse Circle-Rock Preparatory School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
- Academic or athletic awards
Recent Articles
Ask Current Parents What Admissions Won't Answer
Learn how to ask current private school parents revealing questions about culture, academics, communication, costs, discipline, and community life before deciding whether a school truly fits your family well.
When School Anxiety Is Really a School Fit Problem
Learn when school anxiety may signal a poor school fit, how parents can identify academic or social mismatches, and when changing private schools deserves serious consideration for families today.
Will My Child Find Their People? Evaluating School Culture
Learn how to evaluate private school culture, student belonging, friendships, teacher relationships, social dynamics, and authentic community fit so your child can find the right place to thrive and connect.
