Introducing... Christ the King's New School Building
January 4, 2010: $28 Million State-of-the-Art College Prep High School Opens on Chicago’s West Side
First Catholic School Built on the West Side in 85 Years Opens on January 4th and Serves Low-Income Families in Austin and other West-Side Neighborhoods
Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School (CtK), the first Catholic school to be built on Chicago’s West Side in 85 years, welcomes 162 freshmen and sophomores back from Christmas Break with a belated Christmas present-- a 100,000 square foot, $28 million state-of-the-art school building.
Construction on the new school building, located at 5088 W. Jackson Boulevard in the Austin neighborhood, began in June, 2008. Commitment to the school has been strong, even in this weak economic climate. When asked about building a brand new school building in the midst of a recession, Chairman of the Board Dr. Anthony Barbato, retired chief executive officer Loyola University Medical Center says, “The efforts of people who have stepped out of these hard times to give and help has been amazing to watch. There is no right time. We believe these kids need the school now more than ever, and that is what this is all about.” The school still needs $17million for the building.
Ultimately, CtK seeks to provide a safe, affordable, quality, college prep option for 600 young people on the West Side. Families and young people on the West side need a college prep high school. Perched along the Eisenhower Expressway, Austin is a hot market spot for drug trafficking, which drives the area’s crime and gang violence. The neighborhood’s predominantly African-American families make less than $30,000 annually and the unemployment rate is double the rest of the nation. Since the closing of Austin High School, there are only 7,500 seats at local high schools for the 14,000 high-school-aged youth in the area. Less than half of students finish high school, and of those, only 38% go on to two and four year colleges. Only 11% of the students meet state standards 88% of CtK students come from the immediate area and 66% come from public grammar schools.
A Cristo Rey model Jesuit high school, CtK provides an affordable, private school alternative through an innovative work-study program. Students earn 75% of their tuition through jobs at Chicago-area companies such as hospitals, banks and law firms. Lauded nationally and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Cristo Rey model high schools have a 12-year track record of success--99% of Cristo Rey model high school graduates are accepted into a college or university. CtK is open to students from all backgrounds: 90% of the students are not Catholic and 75% qualify for reduced and free school lunch.
The new building’s unique open design, by award-winning architect John Ronan, conveys the school’s mission of bringing hope to the community. “The building is designed to inspire,” says Rev. Christopher J. Devron, SJ, president of Christ the King. “With God’s grace, we are creating a beacon of light and hope—a place where our young people will become tomorrow’s leaders; leaders who not only better themselves, but commit to serve and lift up their community,” Faculty and Staff have worked to design a “building as teacher.” From the state-of-the-art science labs to the classrooms to the counseling suites, each room displays a placard which highlights a famous Chicagoan or African American leader. “Our students and families deserve the same quality learning environment that students at all Jesuit schools enjoy—no matter what zip code their home is in, ” says Devron.
School leaders also have the community in mind. Construction of CtK’s building has created a significant number of jobs in the community. One of the largest community development projects in the Austin neighborhood, CtK provided 48 new jobs to community residents through a comprehensive local employment program at the construction site. Additionally, the building will be accessible for community as well as student usage. Areas available to the community include a large gym/auditorium, computer labs, the cafeteria and the library. Following the example of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School—CtK’s sister Jesuit high school in Pilsen—the school will work with local, community-based organizations that support programs for seniors, development of computer skills, culture and the arts, and recreation.
About our Building
The building site for Christ the King's new home, a 100,000 square foot building at 5088 West Jackson, is a busy and wonderful sight on the West Side. Designed by award winning Chicago architect John Ronan, Christ the King will be the first new Catholic high school built on the West Side of Chicago in 85 years. The high school, scheduled to be completed in Winter 2009, will share the Resurrection Campus with Chicago Jesuit Academy (www.cjacademy.org), a Jesuit-sponsored middle school for boys following the Nativity model.
The rendering to the left is of Christ the King's future chapel. WIth three exposures and a skylight, the chapel will be uniquely open. It will hold 200 students and staff for special masses, religious education and other events. View the CTK Flickr site to see photos of our progress or click the following links to see additional renderings of the chapel, classrooms and the gym.
Why build a whole new school building?
“There were absolutely no viable existing school buildings on the West Side,” says Jack Crowe, CTK Trustee and Chairman of the Building Committee.
According to Crowe the school building is going to impact not only the kids who go to school there, but the neighborhood as well. John Ronan, celebrated Chicago architect, designed the building to be uniquely open,"... literally and figuratively a beacon on the west side,” says Crowe.
Hundreds attended the Groundbreaking in June of 2008 for the building, which is scheduled to be completed in Winter 2009.
If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, please contact Sr. Mary Fran McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@ctkjesuit.org or 773-261-7505 x232
See Pictures of our Progress
View a Presentation about the Building
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