Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle's 2nd Annual Draft Day: "Where the Magic Happens"  

On September 5, 2025, Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle hosted its second annual Draft Day—a high-energy celebration where students discovered their corporate work placements for the upcoming school year. The Corporate Work Study Program places students in professional work environments during their high school tenure, breaking down barriers to private education costs as students earn a significant portion of their tuition. 

Held in the heart of downtown Seattle, Benaroya Hall welcomed students, families, faculty, board members, and work study partners for a morning of excitement and inspiration. City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell gave an opening welcome, saying, "Today we celebrate the best of the best, our ability to give and our ability to love."

Cristo Rey students have stepped into their roles with confidence, backed by a community that believes in their potential. The success of Draft Day reflects the school's mission to provide rigorous academics paired with real-world experience, preparing students not only for college but also for life. 

Relive the excitement of the day through our highlight video and photos.

To learn more or hire a team for the 2026-2027 year, please email Katie Seltzer, VP of Corporate Work Study.

Help Us Grow Our Wolf Pack

Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle is excited to welcome prospective students and families to our upcoming Open House—an opportunity to experience firsthand our unique approach to college preparatory education.

At Cristo Rey, students receive a rigorous academic foundation combined with faith development and real-world work experience through our Corporate Work Study Program. This innovative model prepares students not only for college but for life beyond the classroom.

During the Open House, guests will have the chance to:

• Tour our campus
• Meet faculty, staff, and current students
• Learn more about our curriculum and work-study program
• Explore how Cristo Rey supports students on their path to college and career success

We invite you to share this opportunity with families who are seeking a transformative high school experience rooted in academic excellence, professional growth, and community values.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Cristo Rey Seattle hosted a vibrant and engaging assembly in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, filled with learning, fun, and laughter. Students, faculty, and staff came together to celebrate the rich traditions, stories, and history of Hispanic and Latino cultures through music, dance, storytelling, and student-led presentations.

Hispanic Heritage Month, observed nationally from September 15 to October 15, recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The celebration begins in mid-September, coinciding with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.

The assembly at Cristo Rey Seattle was a joyful reflection of the school’s commitment to honoring diverse cultural identities and fostering a community of inclusion and respect.

As we wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month, stay tuned for photos and highlights from Culture Day, as we continue to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our school community.

Meet Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle's new

Director of Marketing

SANDRA KUHARIC

Sandra Kuharic is a seasoned marketing professional with extensive experience in strategic communications, digital campaigns, and community engagement. She joins Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School as Director of Marketing, bringing a strong background in building data-driven initiatives and brand strategies that foster meaningful connections and drive growth.

Sandra’s passion for educational equity is rooted in her own story. As the daughter of immigrant parents with limited resources and a graduate of an inner-city high school in Queens, New York, she knows firsthand the transformative impact of dedicated educators. Inspired by teachers who instilled resilience, curiosity, and confidence in her, Sandra views her role at Cristo Rey as an opportunity to honor their legacy by helping students access the same life-changing support.

Throughout her career, Sandra has led marketing and communications initiatives for schools, parishes, and nonprofits, amplifying missions and expanding reach across diverse audiences. At Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle, she looks forward to advancing the school’s vision by crafting compelling storytelling, strengthening community connections, and supporting admissions, enrollment, and development efforts.

Sandra enjoys spending time with family and friends, discovering new places, and making greeting cards.

Please join us in giving Sandra a heartfelt CRJS Wolf welcome. We’re grateful for the wisdom, warmth, and lived commitment to our mission that she brings to this work.

Networks of Support: Building CRJS Together

In Year 2 of CRJS, witnessing students digging deep into their studies, heading on retreat, embracing new professional roles, playing fall sports, running student government, I marvel what we—along with the Holy Spirit—have created in such a short time: A high-quality Jesuit high school where you can feel the Ignatian/Cristo Rey spirit alive in the classrooms, gathering spaces and every office on campus.

Though it may feel that way, our new school is not actually a miracle, but the fruit of devoted people laboring in the vineyard. Six members of our faculty have worked at other Cristo Rey schools, including those in Philadelphia, New York, LA, and Dallas. Over half of our staff have attended or taught at Jesuit schools around the US. Our teachers brought to our new school deep experience with communities historically excluded from high-quality educational opportunities.

The members of our Board of Directors have been deeply engaged with Jesuit schools for years, on all levels, from middle and high school to Jesuit university and graduate programs.

Our school's founding board followed a feasibility process that the Cristo Rey Network has used to successfully launch 40 other schools. Yes, we have had to build systems to fit our unique context, but the blueprint was there.

We are reminded daily that we, and our students, do not walk this path alone. We could not have built CRJS if not for the support of our many Seattle supporters, as well as the accumulated wisdom of the Jesuit and Cristo Rey Networks.

In the past two months, Erin DeKlotz, Director of Admissions at Jesuit High in Portland (photo above), as well as Erin’s and my former boss, retired JHS President John Gladstone (photo below), visited us to lend us their expertise. Erin spent a day with Cristo Rey Jesuit’s new Director of Outreach and Enrollment, Sullivan Shaw, offering big-picture strategy and detailed advice on how to prep students to visit 8th grade classrooms, how to market and run a top-notch Open House, and much more.

New CRJS Board member Dave Mason (photo below) also visited campus recently. A Seattle native and veteran of Cristo Rey Jesuit Twin Cities, for the past decade, Dave has served as President of San Miguel HS, the Cristo Rey school in Tucson. As we walked around campus, Dave met students and staff, asking them how life is going at CRJS. He heard lots of positive feedback, but also learned that our soccer team is still short a few shin pads and jerseys—and that our rented field is not quite in the shape we had hoped.

Dave heard staff and students exhort me to make sure we purchase that new van, find drivers for our CWS and sports programs, and above all, get the new academic center built so we can offer the courses, spiritual and co-curricular programs our students so ardently desire.

As he left, Dave offered both encouragement—"You guys are doing an amazing job!” as well as deep empathy—"Oh man, so many needs when you are starting a high school!"

Erin, John, and Dave bring with them not only the wisdom of decades in the Jesuit and Cristo Rey networks, but also specific program recommendations that will impact our school for years to come. Their insights into operational excellence and the Jesuit, Cristo Rey mission help us see more clearly the road ahead. But even more than their expertise, Erin, John, and Dave remind us of the power of accompaniment.

That so many people are willing to share time, resources, and wisdom is a testament to the power of networks—a collection not of institutions, but of remarkable people committed to lifting up our students and creating citizens and scholars who are also people for others.

This month, I will be visiting Verbum Dei in Los Angeles, Cristo Rey Orange County, Cristo Rey Jesuit Atlanta, and Jesuit High in Dallas, where Quentin Orem and I will share best practices with board chairs and presidents from over 50 Jesuit high schools. We will meet remarkable professionals willing to share their expertise, ask how it's going in Seattle, and help us to form citizens, scholars, and people for others.

Networks are not distant affiliations; they are living, breathing sources of support, challenge, and inspiration filled with real, live people. The Cristo Rey and Jesuit networks remind us that our mission is shared, our work is connected, and thus our hope is multiplied.

To Erin, John, Dave, and all of you: thank you. Your support is a sign of grace. You remind us that the work of launching Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle is not ours alone—it belongs to all who believe in the power of education to change lives, and to God.

Let us continue to walk together, with courage and joy.

Welcome, Class of 2029: A New Chapter Begins

This fall, CRJS proudly welcomes the Class of 2029—a dynamic group of students ready to begin their high school journey. As they step through our doors, they bring with them fresh energy, diverse perspectives, and the promise of growth and transformation.

The start of high school is more than just a transition; it's a launchpad. At CRJS, we believe in preparing students not only for academic success but for real-world readiness. That's why our curriculum is deeply rooted in both rigorous classroom learning and meaningful work-based experiences. Through our work study program, students will have the opportunity to engage with local organizations, build professional skills, and explore career pathways—all while contributing to their communities.

This year's incoming class will be supported by a dedicated team of educators, counselors, and specialists who are committed to fostering a culture of respect, curiosity, accountability, and trust. That includes building a partnership with our families as we work to promote our Graduates at Graduation values.

As Acting Principal, I am especially proud of the collaborative spirit that defines our school. The Class of 2029 has already made themselves known, and is surrounded by peers and educators who believe in their potential and are ready to walk alongside them through every challenge and triumph.

To our new students: you belong here. Your voice matters. Your growth is our priority. We encourage you to ask questions, take risks, and build relationships that will last a lifetime. High school is not just about academics—it’s about discovering who you are and who you want to become.

Welcome to CRJS. Welcome to the Class of 2029. 

Nolan Grady

Acting Principal

Jesuit Traditions

We came together for the Mass of the Holy Spirit (photo above) at St. Paul Catholic Church.

This special tradition, celebrated in Jesuit schools worldwide, invites us to begin the school year united in spirit, rooted in our shared values, and open to the many ways we can grow together as a community.

Boys' Soccer 

The Boys' Soccer team had a fantastic outing at the Seattle Sounders game (photo above) on September 27, 2025. Their next match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 4:00 pm at Puget Sound Adventist Academy—come out and support!

Girls' Volleyball 

Our Girls’ Volleyball team made their debut at Forest Ridge, and we couldn’t be prouder! With a strong turnout of 21 student-athletes, Coach Sabrina was able to form two complete lineups—a fantastic start to the season.

It was a close match: CRJS dropped the first two sets 17–25 and 23–25, but rallied to win the final set. Their first home game took place at Rainier Community Center, and they’ll be back in action on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at 4:30 pm at Puget Sound Adventist Academy. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Boys' & Girls' Basketball

We’re excited to launch Boys' and Girls' Basketball this winter! If you're interested in coaching, email us—we’d love to have you involved.