Overview>

The Cristo Rey Network® is a national association of high schools that provide quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options. Most of our students qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program. Member schools utilize a longer school day and year, academic assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work study program through which they finance the majority of the cost of their education, gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education.

During the 2007-08 school year, 4,234 students are enrolled in 19 Cristo Rey schools, which are located in Baltimore, Birmingham, Cambridge (MA), Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City (MO), Lawrence (MA), Los Angeles , Minneapolis, Newark (NJ), New York City, Omaha, Portland (OR), Sacramento, Tucson, Washington, DC and Waukegan (IL). Ninety-two percent of the students are racial minorities, and the average family income of this year's 9th grade class is $33,766. Ninety-eight percent of last year's graduates enrolled in college in the fall of 2007. Three more schools are scheduled to open in 2008, and feasibility studies for potential new schools are underway in four more cities. For additional information about the Network and Network schools, please download our profile.

The Cristo Rey Network of schools was founded in 2001 when leaders from groups in Portland, Oregon, Cleveland, Denver, and New York hoping to replicate Cristo Rey Jesuit High School of Chicago gathered for the first time to learn more about the model school.  Since 2001, leaders of the Cristo Rey schools have been meeting regularly to share ideas and best practices.  In 2003, the Cristo Rey Network® was formally organized as a 501(c) (3) organization.  The Network is governed by a Board of Directors, several of whom are elected by the Member Schools.  The Members of the Cristo Rey Network are schools approved by the Board. Each member school agrees to adhere to the 10 Mission Effectiveness Standards of the Cristo Rey Network.  B.J. and Bebe Cassin were the first philanthropists to promote the scaling up of the Cristo Rey model.  In 2001, they made a $12 million commitment to replicate the Cristo Rey schools.  Today, dozens of foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and individual donors throughout the country have contributed to the efforts of the Cristo Rey Network®. 

This website is designed to provide information and best practices to member schools and to help groups endeavoring to start new schools, those wishing to become corporate sponsors, foundation partners, and others who want to learn more about the Cristo Rey Network. If you have any questions or suggestions about the website, please direct them to Kristy Blackmore.