Goals & Mission

Our mission is to partner with industry to create the next generation of professionals. Students who attend the Catalyst earn high school credit and college credit. Instead of teachers creating assignments for students, we partner with industry to give students real-world projects to work on. While at the Catalyst, students get to do real projects with professional mentors. Catalyst students come from varied backgrounds. Currently, 10% of our students receive special services through IEPs and 504s. Over 15% of our students are on free and reduced lunch services. Our goal with all students is to help them find their passions and connect them to industry and university so they know their pathway for success. Developing relationships with business, industry and higher education partners is critical to the success of any CAPS program. The CAPS Network is designed to create rich and meaningful experiences for students, as well as partners. Programs that partner with the CAPS Network share best practices and connections with professional partners, post-secondary institutions and students. The Catalyst Center has six key guiding principles that unite, define, and guide the CAPS experience. 1. Profession-based Learning: Catalyst students work on real-world projects in collaboration with business and industry partners. Instructors create project-based learning experiences in a professional environment which prepare students for college and career. 2. Responsiveness: The Davis Catalyst Center supports high-skill and high-demand careers through ongoing innovation in curriculum development. Catalyst programs and services are based on local business and community needs. 3. Entrepreneurial Mindset: An innovative culture is key to fostering entrepreneurial learning and design thinking. Catalyst instructors create an environment where creative thinking and problem solving is encouraged. 4. Professional Skills Development: Professional skills are critical to providing students a competitive advantage in their post-secondary education and professional careers. The Catalyst provides unique experiences which allow students to cultivate transformative professional skills such as adaptability, understanding expectations, exhibiting initiative, and other essential business skills. 5. Self-Discovery and Exploration: Students realize their strengths and passions by exploring and experiencing potential professions. Catalyst students make informed decisions about their future, while learning to exhibit leadership. 6. Equity and Access: Davis School District students have equitable access to Catalyst programs in preparation for post-secondary education and high-skill high-demand careers.