In this episode of Table Talk, Principal Mackenzie Eikenberry sits down to discuss the strategic growth and positive culture shifts happening at Columbus Arts & Technology Academy (CATA). From increased transparency in student behavior to year-over-year gains on the State Report Card, CATA is proving its commitment to student excellence.

Key Takeaways from the Interview

• Positive Culture & Incentives: CATA has streamlined behavior tracking via PowerSchool, allowing for real-time parent communication. Success is celebrated through the CATA Cash store and exclusive incentive field trips to locations like COSI and Ohio State.
• Proven Academic Growth: The school continues to close the “achievement gap” by focusing on Direct Instruction, explicit vocabulary across all subjects, and a robust MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) framework.
• Small Class Sizes & Personal Connection: By maintaining a low student-to-teacher ratio and hiring staff aligned with the school’s core values—Care, Accountability, Trust, and Advocacy—CATA ensures no student is left behind.
• Real-World Learning: Education at CATA extends beyond the classroom, utilizing field trips to help students connect academic theories to practical, real-world applications.

Building the Future

As the school year winds down, the focus remains on maintaining momentum through state testing while celebrating major milestones like Prom and Graduation. CATA remains dedicated to fostering a safe, rigorous, and supportive environment for every learner.

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Learn More About Columbus Arts and Technology Academy

Ohio’s Free Career Planning Tool

Discover interests, explore careers, and build your future!

At OhioMeansJobs K-12, students can:

• Discover interests: Find out which careers match your passions and explore in­demand jobs.
• Build a plan: Create a roadmap for high school and beyond, including budget planning, resume-building, and more.
• Track progress: Use PortfoliOH to log work-based learning experiences and progress toward the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal.

Introducing PortfoliOH

PortfoliOH is Ohio’s free digital resource integrated into the OhioMeansJobs K-12 Student Profile. It helps students record and reflect on real-world experiences like internships, job shadows, school-based projects, and community activities. Document what you learned and the skills you gained, connecting classroom learning to career pathways and building progress to earn the OhioMeansJobs Readiness Seal.

Quick Facts

• OhioMeansJobs K-12 and the PortfoliOH Work-based Learning Tracker are free for Ohio students.
• Students in grades K-12, with most tools tailored for middle and high school, can use PortfoliOH. Families, teachers, counselors, and business partners can access resources, too.
• PortfoliOH can be used to track internships, job shadows, school-based projects, and community activities-plus reflections on skills and learning.
• These resources prepare students for graduation and beyond by providing tools to build resumes, explore programs, and create a plan that aligns experiences with academic and post-high school goals.
• Need help? Contact your school counselor for login and planning support.

Ready to take the first step towards your dream career? Visit ohiomeansjobs.ohio.gov and start exploring today!

Starting kindergarten is an exciting milestone for children and families alike. We are proud to announce that Kindergarten enrollment for Fall 2026 is officially open.

As a tuition-free school, we provide families with access to a high-quality education in a nurturing, safe, and welcoming environment. Our kindergarten program is designed to help students build confidence, curiosity, and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Our Approach to Learning

Our kindergarten classrooms focus on the whole child.

Students benefit from:

• Developmentally appropriate instruction
• Play-based and hands-on learning
• Early literacy and math foundations
• Social and emotional skill-building

Our approach ensures that children feel supported while gaining the academic skills they need for future success.

Why Choose Us?

Parents choose Columbus Arts & Technology Academy because we combine strong academics with a caring school culture.

Our kindergarten program includes:

• Tuition-free enrollment
• Small class sizes for individualized attention
• Experienced, caring teachers
• A safe and inclusive school environment

Building a Strong Community

We emphasize:

• Positive relationships between students and teachers
• Family engagement and communication
• Cultural inclusion and belonging
• A strong sense of community

At Columbus Arts & Technology Academy, our goal is to ensure that every child feels confident and prepared from their very first day of kindergarten.

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Enrollment is open, and spaces are limited.

Basketball schedules for the 2025-26 season:

CATA High School Girls Varsity Basketball Schedule (PDF)

CATA High School Boys Basketball Schedule (PDF)

CATA Middle School Boys Basketball Schedule (PDF)

Join us in celebrating the incredible achievements of the Columbus Arts and Technology Academy Class of 2025!

This presentation highlights the future plans of our graduates, including college acceptances (with multiple full-ride scholarships!), intended majors in fields like Law, Nursing, Engineering, and Business, as well as career-ready plans for apprenticeships and entrepreneurship.

We are immensely proud of our Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and every single graduate. Watch the video below to see where the stars of CATA are heading next.

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Learn more about our school and how it could be the right fit for you.

Congratulations to Columbus Arts & Technology Academy for earning Outstanding Growth in Reading honors at this year’s ALIVE25 Summit, the annual gathering of ACCEL Schools leaders from across the country. The award celebrates exceptional student progress in reading during the school year.

“I’m inspired by the educators at Columbus Arts & Technology Academy for their dedication to our students,” said Ron Packard, CEO of ACCEL Schools. “They make a real difference in children’s lives, and we’re proud to recognize their success.”

Held annually, the Accelys celebrate the standout achievements of educators across ACCEL Schools’ network of 85+ public charter schools, which serve students from PreK through 12th grade. Awards recognize excellence in areas like student attendance, teacher commitment, enrollment growth, financial stewardship, and academic progress.

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Ready to join our award-winning school?

Spring Issue, Volume 2: Issue No. 5

We are so thankful for everyone who participated in our LEAD Well program!

Watch a montage from the LEAD Well Graduation 2025 and testimonials from students and parents:

PARENT PORTAL

Scan the QR code from the flyer to download the app or sign up using an internet browser.

You will need the student code from your school office to sign up.

• Check your child’s grades
• Communicate with teachers
• Update personal information

Download Flyer (PDF)

Thank you to NBC4 Columbus for covering our Gift of Music Drive.