About
The Cristo Rey Network is a rapidly growing national faith-based independent high school network with 39 schools in 24 states that serves youth from families in the lowest income quartile, blending rigorous academics with work experience. Through special authorization from the U.S. Department of Labor, every student works one day each week in a professional job during all four years of high school. Cristo Rey students earn a majority of the cost of their private education – $60 million last year alone through 2,700 corporate partners – providing schools with a sustainable funding model while allowing students to gain skills and knowledge that can’t be replicated in the classroom. They also ensure students learn first hand about their opportunities in higher education. Post-Covid, the network is rebuilding and reimagining the work-study model that was once dependent on offices, to incorporate the jobs of the future into their model.
Their Story
A sustainable and exceptional college and career-prep high school model for talented young people who don’t have the opportunity for a private education, Cristo Rey’s innovative model prepares young people to be successful adults.
Kelby Woodard
President & CEO
“Cristo Rey is the spark that starts a fire. We have a fantastic track record of providing an opportunity for kids whose academic experience has not been great prior to coming to us, giving them the opportunity to be in the corporate world, providing value to corporations, being part of their talent pipeline, as well as receiving an academically rigorous college prep experience.”
1
Why they stand out
Connecting a college-prep education with a corporate work-study program, Cristo Rey schools are built on a commitment to Catholic teaching to effect transformational change at every level. They provide students with the least economic means a pathway fused with the support to help pay for their education and gain valuable 21st century work experience that sets them on a course for future success.
2
How they STOP for education
“Over the last 27 years, Cristo Rey has seen transformational growth, expanding from one school in southwest Chicago to a national network of 39 high schools enrolling 12,300 students and claiming 25,000 alumni.
Cristo Rey’s work-study program is a sustainable revenue model for its schools, where the work study component covers the costs of tuition.
Unparalleled mentoring and real life experience builts the confidence and excellence that propels students to be outstanding in college and the future workforce.”
3
Winning their award
Winning a STOP Award gives Cristo Rey the ability to more rapidly scale to 50 new schools by 2030, enrolling nearly 20,000 more students and seizing on evolving trends in the workplace.
