The Cristo Rey education model is like no other and has been remarkably successful in its mission. Every graduating senior at the school’s pioneering Chicago campus was admitted to college — a remarkable achievement when you consider that many of the school’s students are the first in their families to graduate from high school. Click here for the 60 Minutes Story about this special school. (http://www.cristorey.net/)

The Cristo Rey model is built on the concept of providing a top-notch education that is largely funded by income that the students earn in real white collar corporate jobs in the City. Not only does this model provide a level of hands-on learning that is unprecedented in most school systems, but it also provides a solid source of financing that the school can then use to subsidize the students’ education.

The innovation continues in Minneapolis with the new Twin Cities Cristo Rey Jesuit High School forming a partnership with the Colin Powell Youth Leadership Center. This complex provides students with access to an extended network of corporate/school internships, arts and civic partnerships on one urban campus. Click here to view the Cristo Rey case study Randy Fielding published.