President's Message

Dear Friend:

In 1996, Jesuits in Chicago came together to solve a critical issue: how to bring a private, college preparatory high school education to families in urban, underserved areas.  The neighborhood they had in mind was Pilsen, where few children graduated from high school and even fewer went on to college. But with median incomes of $26,000, how could these families afford a college preparatory education?

From this debate, the Cristo Rey model was born.  Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen partners with area businesses so that students themselves earn three-quarters of their tuition through their work in a corporate internship program.  Fifteen years later, this model has been successfully replicated in 22 other cities and the success is overwhelming-- of the Cristo Rey Network Schools' Class of 2010, 100% were accepted to two and four-year colleges. 

In the fall of 2008, the dream was born again in Chicago, this time for young people on the West Side.  Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory High School (CtK) was the 20th Cristo Rey Network high school in the U.S., and the first Catholic high school to open on the West Side of Chicago in 85 years. It is the fourth Jesuit high school in the Chicago area, joining St. Ignatius College Prep, Loyola Academy and Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. 

CtK gives West Side students the unique opportunity to get a quality and affordable college preparatory education.  Rooted in the centuries-old Jesuit tradition of academic excellence and leadership development, we invite students to become "men and women for others.”

But we need your help.  Right now our biggest challenge is spreading the word and getting others interested in our school and mission.  Please forward this and get the word out!

Sincerely,

Rev. Christopher Devron, S.J.

President, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep