Cristo Rey Network

Cristo Rey Kansas City High School is a proud member of the Cristo Rey Network® and we follow its Mission Effectiveness Standards.

Network History

The Cristo Rey movement began in 1996 when Father John P. Foley, S.J., and his team opened Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago’s Pilsen community. The school’s innovative business model allowed low-income students to receive a quality private Catholic education for minimal cost by working five days each month in an entry-level job at a law firm, bank, hospital, university, or other professional environment.

Following the tremendous success of the Corporate Work Study Program model, groups in Portland, Denver, and Los Angeles approached Cristo Rey Jesuit High School leaders about how they might replicate the school’s mission and model for their own communities. In response, the Cristo Rey Network of schools was founded in 2001 with Father Foley as its first president. In 2003, the Network was formally organized as a 501(c)(3) organization.

Cristo Rey Kansas City High School is proud to be the one of 40 Cristo Rey Schools across the United States!