Mission + History
Mission
The Cristo Rey Network of high schools delivers a career focused, college preparatory education in the Catholic tradition for students with limited economic resources, uniquely integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support to and through college. We partner with educators, businesses and communities to enable students to fulfill their aspirations for a lifetime of success.
"This is a story about mission-driven innovation in education—innovation that is giving thousands of children an opportunity to access high- quality university preparatory education."
- Tom Vander Ark, CEO, GettingSmart
Historical Snapshot
1990s
1993
The Society of Jesus seeks how to respond to the needs of Chicago's Pilsen community, a working-class neighborhood teeming with Mexican immigrant families who lack good and affordable educational options for their children.
Bradley Schaeffer, S.J., the Provincial of the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus, invites newly-ordained James Gartland, S.J. to conduct a needs assessment. His door-to-door canvassing of neighborhood families led to the recommendation to establish a Jesuit-sponsored college preparatory high school.
1995
At the invitation of Bradley Schaeffer, S.J., John P. Foley, S.J. leaves his long-standing ministry in Peru to return to his hometown of Chicago. A veteran educator with 30 years of school leadership experience in Peru, Fr. Foley actively embraced the new assignment to help create the high school in Pilsen.
In their efforts to establish an academically rigorous and financially sustainable school, the founding team pioneers an unconventional educational and business model that contemplates students working five days each month in paid, entry-level professional jobs and assigning their earnings to underwrite the cost of their education.
1996
Fr. Foley is named Founding President of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and with Fr. Schaeffer’s assistance, assembles inaugural members of Cristo Rey’s Board of Trustees.
This leadership team forges partnerships with local businesses and philanthropic leaders. The school welcomes approximately 100 sophomores and juniors for classes on September 5th.
1999
Brothers of the Cristian Schools San Francisco District Chapter challenges members to find creative ways to serve the poor. Later that year, as a guest speaker at the U.S. Christian Brothers Huether Conference held in Chicago, Fr. Foley challenges the Brothers to replicate what is happening in Chicago.
DEEP DIVE
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School changed the trajectory of the lives of countless students and sparked a resurgence in Catholic education in the United States. In More than a Dream, G.R. Kearney tells the inspirational story of the start up of our flagship school and its pivotal impact on four students. He shows how one daring vision not only became a reality, but turned into a resounding success. Through Cristo Rey’s innovative curriculum, creative financing model, and intense devotion to the needs of students, the lives of our future generations are being transformed. The book leaves every reader with a bold challenge: Attempt to change what seems unchangeable. |
2000-2005
2000
The Network is formed, initially started by a one-person national office staff based in Chicago. BJ and Bebe Cassin commit $12 million from the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation to support the replication of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in other U.S. cities.
2001
Christian Brothers are open and helpful in forming this new type of school board with both business leaders and educators together. De La Salle North Catholic High School opens its doors. The school points with pride to being the second school within the new Cristo Rey Network.
The first formal meeting of the Cristo Rey Network takes place at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. Six approved groups who are conducting feasibility studies, funded by the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation, attend the meeting. This meeting marks the adoption of the Cristo Rey trademark Cristo Rey Network®.
2002
Verbum Dei High School in Los Angeles, previously an Archdiocesan high school, converts to a Cristo Rey school.
2003
In January, the first Mission Effectiveness Standards are approved.
IRS grants non-profit status to the Cristo Rey Network in March 2003. In May, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation formally commit $9.9 million to continue replication of new schools.
Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver opens in September.
2004
Six new schools follow in rapid succession:
Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland; Cristo Rey New York High School in Harlem; San Miguel High School in Tucson; Cristo Rey Boston High School; Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan; and Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School in Lawrence, MA.
Fr. Foley resigns as President of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in June to become the new President of the Cristo Rey Network.
60 Minutes profiles Cristo Rey Jesuit and the early replication of the school across the country.
2006-2010
2006
Two new schools - Cristo Rey Kansas City High School and Cristo Rey High School in Sacramento - open.
2007
In August, Robert Birdsell, a proven leader with a strong background in Catholic school teaching and educational research and consulting, is elected by the Board as the new President of the Network. Fr. Foley assumes the position of Executive Chair for the Network.
More schools open, joining the Cristo Rey movement:
Holy Family Cristo Rey High School in Birmingham; Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Baltimore; Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis; Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Washington, DC; and Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis.
2008
Three new schools open:
Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory in Chicago; Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School; and Detroit Cristo Rey High School.
Chair Emeritus and Chief Mission Officer John P. Foley, SJ receives the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second highest civilian honor, for founding the Cristo Rey movement.
2009
The Cristo Rey Network launches the Educational Enrichment Initiative, an ambitious long term plan to set clear college-ready standards for all students and to provide instructional tools for teachers to help students achieve these standards.
Two new schools open: Immaculate Conception Academy in San Francisco and Cristo Rey Jesuit College Preparatory High School of Houston.
2011-2015
2011
DePaul Cristo Rey High School in Cincinnati opens its doors as a member of the Cristo Rey Network.
The 2011 Leadership Roundtable Best Practices Award for Innovation in Catholic Education is presented to the Cristo Rey Network.
Fr. Joe Parkes, SJ is elected the new Chair of the Cristo Rey Network Board and Fr. John Foley, S.J. becomes Chair Emeritus and Chief Mission Officer.
2012
Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School opens.
The Walton Family Foundation announces an investment in the Cristo Rey Network to support the onboarding of the School Growth Team and award seed funding to new schools opening in choice markets.
One of 2,400 nominees nationwide, the Cristo Rey Network receives the National CLASSY Award for Educational Advancement.
More international recognition follows. The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) honors the Cristo Rey Network’s Corporate Work Study Program, naming it one of six groundbreaking projects from worldwide to win a 2012 WISE Award. The Cristo Rey Network joins MIT as one of the four U.S.-based innovations to win this award.
2013
A new school, Cristo Rey Columbus High School, joins the Network.
2014
Two new schools open: Cristo Rey San Jose Jesuit High School and Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School.
Putting Education to Work: How Cristo Rey High Schools Are Transforming Urban Education by Megan Sweas is published in August 2014 by HarperCollins Publishers.
Previously Vice President and General Counsel at Georgetown University and a member of the Cristo Rey Network Board of Directors, Jane E. Genster is named President and CEO.
Board of Directors adopts 2020 Strategic Plan, which seeks to deepen impact while sustaining growth, and projects 14,000 students in 40 Cristo Rey schools and 20,000 graduates by the start of the next decade.
2015
And then there are 30! Two new schools open: Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee High School and Cristo Rey Dallas College Prep.
In August 2015, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago participates in a virtual conversation with Pope Francis in anticipation of his historic trip to the United States. The ABC News special program airs on “20/20.”
2016-2020
2016
Cristo Rey Tampa Salesian High School opens.
The Wilson Sheehan Foundation awards a multi-year gift to launch a new program aimed at increasing college completion by for Cristo Rey graduates.
2017
Elizabeth Goettl named Network President and CEO, formerly the organization's founding Chief Academic Officer.
Growth plan approved for 50 schools serving 20,000 in the decade ahead.
2018
Three new schools open: Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School, Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School (Oakland), and Cristo Rey Fort Worth College Prep.
2019
Cristo Rey Richmond High School and Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School in Las Vegas open.
National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) announces Cristo Rey Network a recipient of the 2019 Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award for the organization's outstanding contributions and achievements on behalf of Catholic school education.
2020
Cristo Rey San Diego High School opens with the school's inaugural freshman class.
National Office secures $33 million for new school programming, competitive grants, and college scholarships to propel outcomes.
2021-Current
2021
Cristo Rey Research Triangle High School opens.
2022
Cristo Rey Miami High School opens.
National Office secures $5.3 million for college scholarships and launches $2 million, multi-year literacy initiative.
2023
Cristo Rey Orange County High School opens.
Elizabeth Goettl retires and is proceeded by Kelby Woodard as President and CEO of the Cristo Rey Network.