A new high school is opening in the Seattle area for the 2024-2025 school year! Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School (CRJS), will provide underserved students with high-quality academics coupled with four years of professional work experience, enabling students to flourish as scholars and citizens while helping close the wealth divide by strengthening the pathway to a college degree. As part of the nationally renowned Cristo Rey Network, the proven approach has been demonstrated to enhance students’ cognitive and social capital, catalyze confidence and aspiration, and prepare students for success in college and careers.
CRJS is a Catholic high school sponsored by Jesuits West Province. The school serves high school students who fall within the lowest income quartile. Two-thirds of admitted students must qualify for free and reduced lunch, while the other third can have a gross family income of up to 300% of the federal poverty threshold. 100% of families receive financial aid, and across the network have an average family income of $43,000 annually for a family of four. Students are culturally and linguistically diverse, identifying as 99% people of color. CRJS will be located on the campus of St. Paul Parish, approximately 6 acres located at the south end of Lake Washington in the Rainier Beach neighborhood.
The core programs of the school include:
Academics: Through a rigorous academic program that combines in-classroom learning with four years of corporate work experience and wrap-around support, CRJS prepares students to be college and career-ready.
Corporate Work Study Program: All students participate in work-study to earn a majority of their education costs while gaining real-world work experience. Corporate partners benefit from the development of a skilled and diverse future workforce while students gain valuable professional experience and exposure to a variety of careers.
College Success: CRJS and our 80 national college and university partners to improve college access and completion for Cristo Rey students through recruitment, competitive financial aid, and support systems for student success.
CRJS has an extensive network of committed and key partners, both locally and nationally, who provide support and opportunities for collaboration, including the Fulcrum Foundation and the Office for Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle. The school is actively recruiting their first class of grade 9 students with the goal of welcoming 80+ young people this fall. Subsequent grade 9 classes will be added each year through 2027 to bring the school to full enrollment.
Fulcrum was proud to be one of the first supporters of CRJS with funding to initiate a feasibility study prior to the decision to open their new campus in Seattle.
To learn more, visit www.cristoreyseattle.org.