Cristo Rey Catholic High School

In the field of traditional Catholic social ministries the service of providing quality Catholic education has been a dominant ministry that is perhaps second only to parish ministry. In the United States many can look upon the effect of Catholic education to the economically challenged migrant community of the late 19^th and early 20^th century by seeing the prominent role that this population now has since the late 20^th century. Throughout the political and business landscape we find many Catholic leaders that can claim a good Catholic education as part of their formative experience.

Times have changes and the population that requires the type of quality and affordable services is not the same as the population who were the recipients of these services in the past. The issue of poor education and high dropout rates has affected minority, new migrants and low income communities throughout the US. As the demographic trends have shifted so too has the global economic environment.

In order to respond to these changing trends and to update the ministry of providing good and affordable Catholic education the Jesuits have engaged in creating a new model of High School education throughout the US known as the Cristo Rey model. Starting in Chicago the Cristo Rey model high school goes to your low income communities and gives youth in these areas an amazing opportunity to truly become all they can possibly be. For a meager tuition the Cristo Rey students receive 4 days of top quality education. One day a week they are employed at a prominent downtown corporation engaging in an entry-level job that sets them on the path of experience and future employability. To prepare the students for these business opportunities the freshman class receives a summer training experience where they learn the basics of performing in a business environment. The companies pay these students a salary that goes to their education and they in turn receive dependable employees. Besides offering education and work skills this Catholic High School model is primarily geared at producing college bound students. Cristo Rey schools can boast of having 100% college acceptance. Part of the student’s curriculum at these schools includes top quality college preparatory education. 

The Passionist community participates in promoting the Cristo Rey model. The community of Bedford Stuyvesant in Brooklyn NY was instrumental in developing a Cristo Rey high school in the area. However the Passionist Community in Birmingham AL went all the way to transform a troubled high school in the area of Ensley into the performing Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School.

The hybrid work-education model is the distinguishing development of these modern day Catholic high schools. But besides that they serve the same mission that Catholic High Schools served in the past. The environment is family centered and the schools play an active role in the community. They have a Catholic mission and they serve the economically challenged students to be culturally sensitive and to serve the community. These Catholic schools continue to have a discipline based environment so that the student will excel in the business and higher education world.

I spent some time with the Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School president Fr. Alex Steinmiller, CP. In this video that we produced Fr. Alex discusses the Passionist presence in Birmingham and the opportunity that the youth and community of Ensley in Birmingham now have thanks to the Cristo Rey model.

Passionist Holy Family Cristo Rey High School from John Gonzalez on Vimeo.

One Response to “Cristo Rey Catholic High School”

1. a steinmiller says:

   July 1, 2010 at 9:09 am

   John
   Your visit was very much appreciated.