Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School is a proud member of the Cristo Rey Network® and we follow its Mission Effectiveness Standards.
Our History
The Cristo Rey movement began in 1996 when Father John P. Foley, S.J., and his team opened Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago’s Pilsen community. The school’s innovative business model allowed low-income students to receive a quality private Catholic education for minimal cost by working five days each month in an entry-level job at a law firm, bank, hospital, university, or other professional environment.
Following the tremendous success of the Corporate Work Study Program model, groups in Portland, Denver, and Los Angeles approached Cristo Rey Jesuit High School leaders about how they might replicate the school’s mission and model for their own communities. In response, the Cristo Rey Network of schools was founded in 2001 with Father Foley as its first president. In 2003, the Network was formally organized as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Today
The Cristo Rey Network is comprised of 37 high schools that serve over 12,300 young people from low-income backgrounds with limited educational options. In 2020, 89% of the schools’ senior classes were accepted into at least one four-year college. Approximately 91% of seniors selected a four- or two-year college for fall enrollment.
2019-20 Snapshot:
- 12,300 students nation-wide
- 38 Cristo Rey Network high schools
- 98% students of color
- $38,000 average family income
- 3,500 Corporate Work Study Partners
- $80 Million earned by students in 2019-2020
- 23,100 graduates
- 65 National University Partners
Learn more at www.cristoreynetwork.org.