Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen operates without the traditional sound of bells. Students transition between classes guided by an internal sense of time, fostering responsibility and independence. This system aims to prepare students for professional life, enhancing self-sufficiency.
Students adhere to a business-casual dress code, reflecting the professional environments they are training for. From Monday to Thursday, about a quarter of the students from one grade level engage in work-study at various Chicagoland businesses like law firms and hospitals. This initiative began 30 years ago when the school opened, targeting college readiness through dual-language and preparatory courses.
Around 450 students participate in work-study programs covering half of their $21,000 annual tuition. Families contribute $3,200 towards tuition, with financial aid and community support covering the remaining costs. This model not only funds education but also opens avenues for internships and long-term employment.
While similar opportunities exist for Chicago Public Schools seniors, Cristo Rey students start as sophomores, accumulating significant job experience by college. Senior Paulina Key specifically chose this model for college preparation. She has worked at a downtown law firm, in construction, and as a certified nursing assistant at Loyola University Medical Center.
Key’s experience reflects the nursing training classes the school began offering in the 2024-25 school year. She feels the school has prepared her for learning and persevering through challenges.
Her senior colleague, Mauricio Montoya, gained valuable skills in business and finance, enhancing his technical proficiency. His work-study experience has established him as a trusted young professional.
According to Mary Beth Medvide, a psychology associate professor at Suffolk University, the work-study model effectively builds career exploration, relationships, and skills. The program fosters a sense of larger community and individual success.
“There’s this sense of embodying values and doing something for themselves and their family,” Medvide explained.
This educational style is believed to cultivate resiliency, offering proactive mindsets and career adaptability. Alum Anthony Guzman, now a lead partner relations manager at the school, exemplifies this adaptability. He stresses that making career mistakes is acceptable and supports the notion that students deserve professional opportunities.
The process of matching students with work-study positions is thorough, confirming their place in professional environments.
“You belong there,” Guzman emphasized regarding opportunities irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds.
Staff members like Guzman recognize the shared community spirit among students past and present. Reina García, Cristo Rey’s director of college counseling, highlights the school’s tradition for families and its growth, including new programs and artistic enhancements. García values the school’s Jesuit identity, which integrates personal and academic development.
García reflects on the school’s consistent spirit despite societal changes, asserting its pivotal role for students from low-income Latino backgrounds.