New Jesuit prep school recruits inner-city youth to attend

In August, about 120 high school students from low-to modest-income families will attend classes at the new Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.

Calling it a long-awaited alternative to public education, the school will help mostly inner-city neighborhoods prepare for college.

Cristo Rey is one of 12 such high schools across the country that are a part of a national networking of Jesuit-owned and operated schools founded in 1996 in Chicago by the Rev. John Foley. A board of trustees governs the schools and Foley serves as president of the Cristo Rey Network.

“The Jesuits are Catholic priests who have as their main focus education,” school spokeswoman Mary Beth Lennon said. “They sponsor high schools and colleges in every part of the country.”

Foley had concerns about funding when he started the schools, Lennon said.

“Then he had a very innovative idea for a corporate internship program,” she said. “Now it’s set up so that in addition to their academic schedules students, age 14 and older, work as interns in the corporate sector earning money to help defray the cost of their tuition.”

The annual tuition costs $2,500, but Lennon said not all students pay the full cost.

“We’re trying to support our students in a holistic manner so they can go on to achieve in a college setting,” she said. “Some families are paying very, very little.”

Corporate sponsors, including Johns Hopkins Hospital, M&T Bank, and Gallagher, Evelius & Jones law firm are committed to helping with tuition as well.

School President Rev. John Swope said the criteria for admissions comprises interviews to determine if prospective students can handle studies plus an internship.

“They must be in good academic standing,” he said, adding that there is no entry examination but students must take a placement test.

The school is in the midst of an open house for admissions, which runs through early August. Classes begin Aug. 27.

Three-time Baltimore City chess champion Steven Mullens, 13, visited the campus last week with his father and grandfather. He will attend the school this fall.

His father, Marvin Mullens, considers it a great opportunity for his son.

“Not only will he [eventually] be working one day a week in the corporate sector and learning skills, I like it because the school teaches discipline,” Mullens said. “This school is something that is much needed in Baltimore.”

APPLICANT INFORMATION

» Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, at 420 S. Chester St., Baltimore, enrolls students in grades 9 through 12.

» Applications are now being

accepted for the 2006-07

academic year.

» For more information, contact Mary Beth Lennon, assistant to the president, 410-727-3255.

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

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