Frequently Asked Questions

What is unique about Cristo Rey Jesuit High School?
We have found a way to make private, college-preparatory education financially accessible to a community in need by having our students work 5 days per month to cover 65% of the cost of their education. We also challenge our students to master their studies simultaneously in both Spanish and English.

What does it cost to educate a student at Cristo Rey?
For the 2005-06 school year, the per pupil cost is $9,225. Students earn $6,625 at their Corporate Internship assignment by working five days a month throughout the school year. Their families pay $2,600 in tuition and fees. This covers 100% of the cost of education for each student.

Does Cristo Rey offer scholarships?
Yes. Many of our families cannot pay $2,600 in tuition per year. Over 60% of our students have scholarships and financial aid, with the average award being one-half of the tuition.

What is the Jesuits' commitment to the school?
It was the initiative of the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus that created Cristo Rey. The Jesuits have assigned men to the project and have made financial commitments, both to organize the school and to build the new facility.

What is the school's enrollment and what are your enrollment goals?
With the 2005-2006 school year, enrollment is 525 students. We want to keep our school relatively small because we believe our students perform better when they receive personalized attention, which is possible in a school of our size.

As Cristo Rey's popularity increases, do you anticipate a shift in the school's mission or its admissions policy?
No. Our mission is to provide a faith-based education to young people from Pilsen / Little Village. We do not necessarily seek the area's brightest students. Our primary criteria are and will remain a prospective student's exceptional personal desire and motivation to take on an 8-hour school day, an extended academic school year, and the committments of our Corporate Internship Program and Dual Language Curriculum.

Have you considered news media reports suggesting that the community Cristo Rey serves may eventually "gentrify" and how that might affect your mission?
According to the most recent census, the median family income in Pilsen / Little Village is $33,000, which supports an average household of 5 members. A walk around the neighborhood will show that gentrification is at best a long term concern. For perspective, it took DePaul University 20 years and hundreds of millions of dollars in capital investments to gentrify its near northside community- a process that started from a much higher socio-economic base and within a much smaller area than Pilsen / Little Village on the near south side.

Is Cristo Rey's Dual Language Curriculum just another way of saying bilingual education?
No. They are distinct concepts based on distinct strategies. Bilingual education is intended to be a temporary transitional bridge between the student's native language and English. Cristo Rey's dual language curriculum sees the native language as a lifelong asset to be nurtured. We do not seek to replace Spanish with English, but to build a mastery of both linguistic capabilities.

To what measures of success can Cristo Rey point?
Eighty two percent of Cristo Rey alumni have graduated from or are currently pursuing post secondary degrees. This is impressive given that we serve a community where more than 50% of area high school age students drop out of school and only 5% of local adults have college degrees! Over the years, close to 90% of the Corporate Internship Sponsors renewed their commitment, and more than 90 percent of the students were ranked good or outstanding by their supervisors in their performance reviews. The ultimate measure of success at Cristo Rey is the extent to which we challenge students to redefine their personal expectations, realize their true potential and become men and women for others who are leaders in their community. More information about Cristo Rey's numerous accomplishments can be found on the accomplishments page.