SENIORS ANNOUNCE COLLEGE PATHS

May 16, 2023 marked a milestone in the journey of Cristo Rey Jesuit seniors. At an all-school celebration, the Class of 2023 announced their commitment to colleges and universities across Wisconsin and, in some cases, the country. Senior Alexandra, who will be attending the University of Notre Dame, said, “I’ve been looking forward to this day for the longest time! In my life, I have been taught that the hardest choice is always the right one. I am proud of the decision my classmates, and I have made to continue and attend college.”

“As first-generation college students, we want to embrace the change we have to offer. We belong on college campuses, and we can't wait to show the world what we can do,” senior Adrian said. Adrian will be attending Marquette University on a full-ride OPUS scholarship. Both Adrian and Alexandra also addressed the entire student body and family members during the ceremony. They encouraged their classmates to take advantage of their time at CRJ and all the opportunities it offers. From career paths and professional mentors found during the Corporate Work Study Program to spiritual growth through faith formation to the tremendous support by their teachers to help them achieve academic success, both students credited the CRJ experience with making them who they are today.

The Class of 2023 has received more than $17 million in scholarships and financial aid to assist with college expenses during the next four years. Because of this financial assistance, 80%+ will graduate from college debt free. You can watch our commencement ceremony on June 2 at 3:30 PM at this link. These colleges and universities will welcome 2023 Trailblazers to their campus in the fall. To view a list of all the different schools our students have been accepted to, check out our newsletter story from February.

Carroll University

College of the Holy Cross

Marian University

Marquette University

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee School of Engineering

Mount Mary University

Ripon College

St. Mary’s University of Minnesota

University of Notre Dame

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Wisconsin Lutheran College

President Stith addresses the founding class on the first day of school at CRJ in 2015.

Do you believe in miracles? Cristo Rey Jesuit alumni and community members gathered recently to celebrate the tremendous milestone of our first graduates crossing the college graduation stage this spring. This was a seminal moment for our graduates as they had an opportunity to reflect on the long, hard journey and major commitment it took for them to achieve their college diplomas. It also was a time for those involved in the founding of Cristo Rey Jesuit to share the story of the school’s beginnings and revel in the fulfillment of the school’s vision with Cristo Rey Jesuit’s first college graduates. Thinking back to how this all started with a feasibility study ten years ago and what had to come together for the college graduation celebration we experienced is what some would consider a miracle.

Marquette University, through its College of Education, had to agree to sponsor the feasibility study. The Archbishop had to approve the school. The Jesuits had to agree to sponsor the new school. Workplaces needed to agree to provide jobs for the first class of students. The philanthropic community had to pledge millions of dollars to what was just a concept at the time. Community leaders would have to step up to form a governance board for the new school. We had to find a safe, accessible building to house our school. Staff members had to take a risk to leave the certainty of their jobs to join a start-up school. Lastly, students and families had to trust this brand new school to deliver on the promise of its mission and vision. There were so many places where the work might have ended except for the next person or next opportunity that came along which allowed us to get beyond the obstacles that occurred along the way. 

One of our alumni commented to me after the event that she had no idea that it took so much to start and build Cristo Rey in Milwaukee. I believe sometimes that is how miracles work. It is difficult for us to tell if something is a miracle when we are moving through the experience. By looking back at all the pieces that had to fall into place to achieve a certain outcome, we can fully appreciate and even stand in awe at the true miracles in our lives and our God who calls us to be part of them.

Fr. Foley, founder of the Cristo Rey Network of schools, once remarked, “May our hope be so outrageously bold that we are afraid people will laugh if they knew what we hoped for!” Our outrageous hope is the first step in any miracle. It was there when we started the feasibility study Cristo Rey Jesuit ten years ago. This hope remains as we see our first class of graduates cross the graduation stage and begin their professional careers in our community. I look forward to seeing how this miracle continues to unfold!

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES PREPARING TRAILBLAZERS FOR COLLEGE

14 seniors took AP Research at CRJ this year.

College preparation is a core principle of a Cristo Rey education. CRJ prepares its students for college through Advanced Placement (AP) courses. AP courses are college-level classes that students can complete during  high school. At the end of the school year, students can take the AP exam and depending on their results can  earn full college credit for that course.

Senior Yarelis explained why she took AP courses. “I think that the AP programs offered at CRJ are a great way to challenge yourself academically. These courses are not easy, but still they are a great way to experience "college level" classes or more rigorous academics and the fact that I could obtain a college credit is a plus. Taking these courses have meant a lot to me, because it has allowed me to grow academically but to also develop habits (for example time management or being more organized) that will help me once I go off to College of the Holy Cross. I have enjoyed the opportunity to keep on challenging myself and see what I really am capable of.”

Students who take AP courses are also sought after by potential colleges and universities.

Director of Postgraduate Success Zuleyka Rios shared, “Academic rigor is an important consideration for colleges as they review student applications for admission. Taking AP courses signals to colleges that students are ready for an academic challenge and good grades in those classes are a sign that students are ready to be successful in a rigorous learning environment.” 

At CRJ, eight AP courses are offered to students with a ninth being added to the curriculum next fall. The student body has embraced this challenge, and they’re not waiting until their senior year. 93% of the junior class took at least one AP class this year! Additionally, 59% of the students take more than one AP course. The students took their AP exams earlier this month, and they will receive their results this summer.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: CLASS OF 2019

A journey almost 8 years in the making is being completed this month by members of the Founding Class of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. CRJ’s first alumni are graduating from schools across the country, including Marquette University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the College of the Holy Cross to name a few. Over the course of this school year, we have shared their messages about how their CRJ experience prepared them for success in college and beyond. Enjoy this compilation of their answers, and join us in congratulating our Founding Class on their graduation from college!

SUPPORT CRISTO REY JESUIT

Is your business interested in partnering with our work study program?

We would like to speak with you about how your business or organization can partner with our Corporate Work Study Program! Contact Everette Fernandes at 414.436.4600 Ext. 3141 or efernandes@cristoreymilwaukee.org.

Make a difference in the lives of CRJ Trailblazers!

The generous support of Cristo Rey Jesuit donors like you makes it possible for us to offer a Catholic, college-prep education combined with unique professional work experience to young women and men of all faiths and limited financial means.