Why Give to Cristo Rey

When Cristo Rey Jesuit High School opened under the leadership of John P. Foley, S.J. in 1996, it introduced a highly innovative integration of academic and professional experience to Catholic secondary education in the United States. The model had immediate appeal, first to Catholic educators across the country and soon after to prominent philanthropists committed to educational reform.

Through the talent and commitment of local communities and generous and enthusiastic support from philanthropic investors, the Cristo Rey Network has grown over the last 28 years from a single school in south Chicago to a national network of 39 schools in 24 states that exclusively serves students with limited economic resources.

The Cristo Rey model is a proven multifaceted approach to reduce barriers to personal and academic success, while increasing opportunities for our students’ achievement in high school, college, and beyond.