Today, National College Decision Day, the Cristo Rey Network announced a $2,100,000 grant from the Deloitte Foundation to provide college scholarship funds to graduating seniors in the Class of 2025. This gift, the fifth consecutive annual grant made by the Deloitte Foundation, will be administered and managed by the Cristo Rey Network national office, granting $55,000 to each of the 37 of our 40 Cristo Rey schools with a senior class. Schools will award the grant funds to assist Class of 2025 graduates who express interest in pursuing careers in business, engineering or technology through a four-year degree at a postsecondary institution of their choice.

"The Deloitte Foundation’s continued investment is opening doors for our students at a defining moment in their lives,” said Kelby Woodard, President and CEO of the Cristo Rey Network. “As Deloitte Foundation Scholars, these graduates will take their next steps with confidence; ready to lead, to achieve, and to build a future worthy of their talent and ambition.”

Each local Cristo Rey school is selecting five to 27 recipients, named Deloitte Foundation Scholars, who will each be awarded $2,000-$10,000 towards their chosen four-year degree. Selected Deloitte Foundation Scholars will demonstrate academic and leadership excellence and financial need. As a tribute to honor the legacy of the late John R. McConnell, Jr., Founding President of Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School and a Principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP, all scholarship recipients of Cristo Rey Philadelphia will be named John McConnell/Deloitte Foundation Scholars. The past four years’ investments totaling more than $5,600,000 from the Deloitte Foundation reached nearly 815 Cristo Rey scholars across the Network’s Classes of 2021-2024.

"Education can be a gateway to possibilities," remarked Erin Scanlon, President, Deloitte Foundation. “The Deloitte Foundation is thrilled to help these college bound seniors stay on track with their post-secondary aspirations and be ready for the future of work.”

Cristo Rey Network is developing and scaling resources and tools to not only sustain but increase strong college enrollment and completion. Deloitte Foundation Scholars, along with all Cristo Rey college enrollees, will receive individualized guidance from their local Cristo Rey school alumni advisor as students navigate their postsecondary trajectory. In addition, the Cristo Rey Network’s National Alumni Association will connect fellow alumni from across the country through networking opportunities, provide professional development support, and coordinate workforce development offerings from Alumni Partners.

About the Cristo Rey Network:
The Cristo Rey Network of 40 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. Cristo Rey Network schools admit students inclusive of all faiths and cultures. Cristo Rey partners with educators, businesses, and communities to enable students to fulfill their aspirations for a lifetime of success: students are more than twice as likely to complete a bachelor's degree by age 24, compared to the total U.S. low-income population.

About the Deloitte Foundation:
The Deloitte Foundation, founded in 1928, is a not-for-profit organization that supports education in the U.S. through a variety of initiatives that help develop the next generation of business leaders, and their influencers, and promote excellence in teaching, research and curriculum innovation. The Foundation sponsors an array of national programs relevant to a variety of professional services, benefiting high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and educators.