Fifteen years ago, Santa Clara University joined us as one of our earliest University Partners to embark in our developing network-wide college initiatives program. As a selective institution, Santa Clara proudly enrolls 45 Cristo Rey students from our recent classes of 2022 and 2023 and claims an impressive 84% average graduation rate for Black and Hispanic students.

 

As a partnering institution, the university offers an array of engagement opportunities for current and prospective Cristo Rey students. Just weeks ago, the university participated in our California schools convening and will soon be holding events (Unity Night and Preview Day) for admitted students in mid-April to ensure a strong transition for our college enrollees next fall. Furthermore, the campus’ Office of Undergraduate Admission, Latiné Student Union, and Black Student Union will collaborate in mid-May to host EmpowerED for prospective students.

We are grateful to Santa Clara for offering robust financial aid to Cristo Rey students, which is bolstered by a $9 million gift from the Sobrato family in 2022 to support scholarships for Cristo Rey students graduating from three nearby schools: Cristo Rey San José Jesuit High School, Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School in Oakland, and ICA Cristo Rey Academy in San Francisco.

 

"Santa Clara University is an extraordinary example of a Catholic institution that is engaged and intentional about not only creating greater equity in college access, but also in supporting inclusion and belonging for all students contributing to the academic excellence on that campus," remarked Sonya Ramirez, Cristo Rey Network Director of University Partnerships.