Summer Enrichment Programming prepares our students and their families for the necessity of leaving home in search of post-secondary educational opportunities, while providing enrichment opportunities to help them compete for admission and resources at more selective colleges. Cristo Rey’s College Counseling office worked with students throughout the spring to match them with summer enrichment opportunities. Students’ summer experiences ranged from programs at Marquette University in Milwaukee, to a desert studies program in Utah and an online class with Johns Hopkins. One student even travelled to Thailand!

Yara M. participated in the THEA Summer Institute at Loyola University Chicago. THEA (Theology of Healing Earth in Action) Institute classes focused on the theme of Earth's sacred water, with courses exploring scriptures, theological traditions, social justice and scholarship, with opportunities for service and field work around the city. Yara says her favorite part was “getting to know people from all over the country and having time to get to make friends."

Ashley R. spent a few weeks at Georgetown University in Washington DC in their Summer College Immersion Program (SCIP). This program is a three-week college prep program for rising high school seniors from the Cristo Rey Network and KIPP Foundation school systems and select schools, networks, and community-based organizations. Designed for high-achieving students with aspirations to apply to the most selective colleges and universities, the program provides a transformational learning experience and an introduction to college life. Students from across the country spent time engaged in a combination of class sessions, field trips, workshops and more to explore international relations, business, cybersecurity, government, STEM-related fields, liberal arts, and health studies. Ashley most enjoyed "being able to meet so many people from different parts of the country. I also really enjoyed the biology course."

Adamaris H. attended the 2022 National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) on Business Innovation - 7 days to Start-up. "My favorite part of the program would probably be meeting new people from different places. I really enjoyed how I bonded with most of my group members throughout the week we spent together. It was interesting discovering new places with new people."

Josue O. participated in Catalyst Academy in New York. "My favorite part of the Program were the sections were they introduced us to every type of engineering that they offer at Cornell University because it gave me a more clear view of which type of engineering I would like to do in college".

Anabelen H. studied at Syracuse University Summer College. She shared, "My favorite part was meeting new people and learning about social problems in the course I was taking which was sociology".

In addition to these exciting programs, 15 Cristo Rey students, along with students from Cristo Rey St. Martin in Waukegan, joined The Grand Tour with the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art for a one-day tour in July. Students learned about architecture around the city of Chicago, and presented their own ideas to professional architects. 

Photo: Lucas Schroeder, Kate Schulte, and Mayra Gradilla

Ahead of the 2022-2023 school year, Cristo Rey says goodbye to several beloved employees, and welcomes new faculty and staff. For the first time, we are proud to advance two Cristo Rey alumni into school administration roles on the Academic Leadership Team.

Lucas Schroeder leaves Cristo Rey after four years of service as Principal. Former Dean of Students, Mayra Gradilla, will step forward as Interim Principal. President Antonio Ortiz has always seen Mayra’s potential to be a school leader. He recalls, “After much prayer and discernment, Mayra responded to me, ‘If I’m called to serve our community in this way, then I’m honored to do so.’ What I love about her response is she sees this as a call to serve.”  

We give a heartfelt thank you to Kate Schulte, Assistant Principal for Student Services and former mathematics teacher, who served the Cristo Rey mission for 15 years. We extend our gratitude to the employees and Jesuit Volunteers who are leaving us this year to pursue other opportunities: Paul Bubash (Campus Ministry), Citlally Delgado (College Counseling), Angel Rodriguez (Jesuit Volunteer), DiAnna Santillan (Jesuit Volunteer),  and Mary Ellen Toth (Librarian).

Cristo Rey welcomes a number of employees into their new or promoted roles including the promotion of two longtime teachers into administrative roles. Maria Luevano-Salazar ‘02, Spanish teacher, will now serve in a new role as Director of School Mission. Freshman biology teacher and assistant Athletics Director Jenn Swanson moves into the role of Director of Student Services and Educational Support. Karen Laureano ’11, counselor, will now serve as Director of School Culture. 

Additionally, Cristo Rey is pleased to announce the following additions to school staff: Lauren Bell (Advancement), Daisy Castillo (Alumni Relations), Jessica Cervantes ’07 (CWSP, Admissions), Jorge Escobar ’18 (Advancement), Isabel Hernandez ’16 (College Counseling), Jaqueline Romo (Campus Ministry), and Sahrish Russell (CWSP). We are excited to welcome back three alumni who will join Cristo Rey as Jesuit Volunteers this fall: Ailyn Cortez-Saldivar ’17, Patrick Reyes ’18, and Rachel Romero ’18. Fernanda Balderrama will also be joining Cristo Rey this year as a JV. We are especially proud to keep on two former Jesuit Volunteers as full-time Cristo Rey employees, alumna Lizbeth Delgado ’16 (Teacher) and Joanna Mena ’16 (College Counseling).

As of July 11