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.
Cristo Rey high
schools offer a high-quality, college preparatory education to
young people from low-income families through a dual-language
curriculum and rigorous math and science instruction.
A unique work study program with local businesses helps students finance their education and provides students with hands-on experience, marketable
skills, mentoring, and a business-oriented work ethic. 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. Students can be
of any faith but are required to attend religion classes.
In 2004, the
Archdiocese of St. Joseph - Kansas City received a grant from the
Cristo Rey Network to study the feasibility of establishing a Cristo
Rey school. With support from the Kauffman Foundation, the Cristo Rey Kansas City School
opened in 2006 and is run locally by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The
school accepts students from Kansas and Missouri.
In 2008-2009, 22 Cristo Rey Network schools served more than 5,003 students nationally. Ninety-nine percent of the Cristo Rey Network’s
2008 graduates were accepted in a two or four year college and, through
their work-study jobs, students earned more than $27M toward their
tuition.
To learn more about the Cristo Rey Network, visit www.cristoreynetwork.org 
