EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT AT CRJ

Alumnae Aydee Cruz Mejia, Jazmin Lopez, and Cristal Navarro all recently received the AP Capstone Diploma award, the highest honor given by the Advanced Placement program.

As a college preparatory high school, CRJ offers 9 Advanced Placement (AP) courses allowing students to test for and earn college credits while still in high school. In 2024, Cristo Rey Jesuit students earned a score of a 3 or higher (which makes them eligible to earn college credit) on 225 exams! In addition, we recently received word from AP on current students and Class of 2024 graduates who received AP Scholar distinctions last school year.

• 44 students named AP Scholar. AP Scholar is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or more on three or more separate AP exams.
• 6 students named AP Scholar with Honor. This is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
• 1 student named AP Scholar with Distinction. This is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.
• The biggest honor is the AP Capstone Diploma, which was awarded to three Class of 2024 graduates: Aydee Cruz Mejia (currently attending Fairfield University), Jazmin Lopez (currently attending College of the Holy Cross), and Cristal Navarro (currently attending Georgetown University). This honor signifies they earned a 3 or above in AP Seminar, AP Research, plus 4 other AP classes while at CRJ.

"For any student who earns college credit from passing an AP test, this both shows that they are ready for college level work, but can also have a real financial benefit," said Interim Principal Patrick Bader. "The 54 students and alumni who passed 3 or more exams are a testament to the quality of education that students are receiving at Cristo Rey Jesuit Milwaukee. We couldn't be more proud of our three AP Capstone Diploma recipients, who not only have demonstrated their skill in research and writing, but are also entering college with the opportunity to receive 18 hours of credit before even starting their college journey."

This house in Delafield, WI served as the primary office for Andy Stith during the CJR feasibility study.

“This isn’t a school some guy started in his basement!” is a statement that I would make during the feasibility study in 2012 and 2013 when I was out in the community talking about the prospects of a Cristo Rey school starting in Milwaukee. As I visited various communities in the city, I knew that some of them were more suspicious of “the next best thing” and that it was incumbent upon me to educate them about the value of Cristo Rey. While I ultimately thought a Cristo Rey school would be a huge benefit to many kids and families based on my experience at Cristo Rey Kansas City, I always sought to listen to what students and families thought regarding the need for this type of school. Very quickly I realized that educational promises had been made to families in Milwaukee in the past and not kept. I wanted to assure them that with Marquette University and the Cristo Rey Network feasibility study process providing backing and a framework for this effort, that this was not just some half-baked educational idea! No one wanted a false start.

In last month's newsletter, I shared the story about my interview to be the Cristo Rey Milwaukee feasibility study director and the leap of faith our family made in our move to Milwaukee. I also promised to write about how it all started in Milwaukee. When I said to community members, “This isn’t a school some guy started in his basement,” it took me a while to recognize the irony of that statement. Actually, all of this DID begin in my brother and sister-in-law's basement!

When I moved to Milwaukee in the summer of 2012 to start the feasibility study, I didn’t have a place to stay and my wife was still back in Kansas City with the kids preparing for the move to Milwaukee. My sister-in-law graciously offered me a spare bedroom in their house during the summer move. Because there were young kids in the house at the time, I worked from their basement which afforded me large swaths of uninterrupted quiet time. The only time I came out of the basement during the day was to make a phone call or go to the bathroom. Because they lived in a wooded area, I actually had to go upstairs to a certain part of the house to be assured of a constant cell signal! I would spend hours in their basement clacking away on my laptop laying the plans for how this all would come together. After a few weeks at the end of that summer, my wife arrived with my kids and we moved to an apartment while we evaluated where we would live. So, while it was a short time, this school technically did start in my in-laws basement, and I stopped saying otherwise in my speaking engagements!

CRJ SOPHOMORES JUMP START THEIR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE

Allison and Alondra (front row, first two from left) at Mount Mary University's Summer Leadership Academy.

While some teens don't think about college until their senior year in high school, three Cristo Rey Jesuit sophomores spent a part of their summer attending college. Allisson M. ‘27, Alondra F. ‘27, Ciara R. ‘27 attended Mount Mary University’s Summer Leadership Academy, a 5-day/4-night immersive experience in which they earned two college credits from the university! The girls worked with CRJ college counselor Heidi Ancira to complete the application and additional essay pieces. Their hard work paid off; resulting in full program scholarships covering all materials, dorm room fee and all their meals for the week. The experience inspired them so much that they have already begun talking about returning to the program as Summit leaders next summer.

Allison said, “In the beginning, I was very nervous since it was a week-long overnight experience, and it was my first time on a college campus. I’m happy to share that the experience at Mount Mary was incredible as it helped me picture what college could look like for me. I had the opportunity to meet many girls and create new friendships. I also received two college credits - before my sophomore year in high school! I would like to give a big shout out to Ms. Ancira. I believe that these opportunities would have not been possible without her support, dedication, and love!”

Empowered by their summer college experience, Allisson, Alondra and Ciara are now attending the GOALS (Go Out And Learn Something) Program through UWM this fall along with their classmate Karina O. ‘27. The four girls received one of only 30 spots in the program. Each girl was awarded a full scholarship to cover the cost of the program. Alondra shared, “Ms. Ancira encouraged me to do the UWM program this fall by highlighting all the benefits it had. My experience at Mount Mary was fun so I decided to go for it!”

They will participate in weekly workshops designed to prepare them to apply and enter college. Workshop topics will include postsecondary education options, college majors, financial aid, preparing for college, college applications, campus life, and career exploration. Rounding out their experience, the girls will visit five college campuses around the state including UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design to explore different degree options and campus settings. “I am excited to learn about the different schools and how they serve their students. I have already experienced a small private college so I am excited to emerge myself in different atmospheres and see how unique they are,” said Allison.

2024 MILWAUKEE STARS MERENGUE:

VOTING IS NOW OPEN

Milwaukee Stars Merengue

Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Baird Center - Rooftop Ballroom

Downtown Milwaukee

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Milwaukee celebrities take the stage with a professional dance partner to entertain and raise funds to benefit Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s rigorous academics, innovative Corporate Work Study Program and faith formation. Get your tickets and vote for your favorite Milwaukee Star using the links below!

SUPPORT CRISTO REY JESUIT THROUGH UNITED WAY

Please consider supporting Cristo Rey Jesuit High School through the 2024 United Way Community Campaign! Many local companies participate in workplace campaigns to support worthy causes through corporate giving and the United Way.

You can designate your United Way gift to support Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, an approved 501(c)(3) organization. Simply fill in CRJHS and our address (1818 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53204) under the "Optional designated contribution" line on the United Way pledge form (see below).

For more information on the United Way, please click here to visit their FAQ page.

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 students!

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.