Cristo Rey Featured in the Wall Street Journal
May 19, 2010
"Here's something you don't read every day: a positive story about the Catholic Church. Amid the media brimstone and penitential outpourings, much of organized Catholicism proceeds with its mission. This is one corner of that mission that is helping young men and women.
"On June 10, Cristo Rey High School in East Harlem will graduate all of its 50 seniors. All come from families near or below the poverty level. All will attend college. Most were accepted into seven colleges."
Cristo Rey Columbus: Not a Typical High School
April 29, 2010
Cristo Rey Columbus is an initiative to open a college preparatory, faith-based high school for urban youth in Columbus with 70 percent of the funding provided by employer sponsors through a work/study program. With the Cristo Rey concept, students work one day a week and attend classes four days a week.
The National Cristo Rey Network includes 24 schools in 16 cities; Cleveland has been open since 2004; Cincinnati will open in 2011 and Columbus is currently exploring the potential to open in the fall of 2012. The Cristo Rey initiative was developed by the Jesuit Fathers and started in Chicago 15 years ago and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Students of any denomination are welcome although the school is designed exclusively for at-risk students in low economic levels.
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Cristo Rey school results are outstanding; in 99% of Cristo Rey schools, all high school seniors have been accepted to two or four year colleges. High School graduation rates in 2008 were at 94%. Employers state, overwhelmingly, that they are extremely satisfied with student ethics and work skills.
"We look forward to having the students with us," said Victoria Deffibaugh-Ziton, United Way of Cleveland. They are our sales team and we have come to depend on them to run our business."
Cristo Rey Network schools are sponsored or endorsed by 28 religious orders and five dioceses. We are fortunate that in the Columbus Diocese, Bishop Frederick Campbell has endorsed the Cristo Rey Columbus High School. Other supporters include: local and national foundation leaders, state, county and city representatives, business and community leaders, as well as prospective parents and students.
"Catholic Schools have enjoyed a long and successful history of imparting the faith, changing lives and building up communities. This effort, unique as it is, allows this history to continue," said Bishop Frederick Campbell.
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2010
Cristo Rey Columbus: Not a Typical High School
Contact: Barbara Brown babrown@cdeducation.org
