Bishop Kevin Vann, on Feb. 24, announced his approval of a feasibility study for a new Catholic high school in Orange County. The proposed high school is part of the Cristo Rey network, a network of 37 Catholic college- and career-preparatory schools that integrate four years of rigorous college preparatory academics with four years of professional work experience through the Corporate Work Study Program. 

Students who attend Cristo Rey schools are immersed in an academically and professionally rigorous environment. Once a week, they work at a local business or nonprofit, fulfilling a wide range of entry-level positions. By doing so, these students pay for half of their tuition and gain valuable work experience, building their resumes at the start of their freshman year. 

 Over 90 percent of Cristo Rey graduates enroll in college, and these same graduates are completing bachelor’s degrees at triple the rate of their peers, according to the Cristo Rey 2019 annual report, setting themselves up for success in future desired professions.  

 With the approval of a Cristo Rey feasibility study in Orange County, a group of dedicated community leaders will conduct a thorough analysis of the county in order to determine the school’s viability. This study ensures that there is a need in the region for a Catholic college-preparatory high school for youth with limited economic resources. The team conducting the study will need to secure future job partners, a school site and a religious sponsor, and raise philanthropic contributions to welcome the first class.  

The above story comes from a March 13 story in OC Catholic.