Cristo Rey Students Learning To Work, Working To Learn

The Mount Carmel Foundation forged a new partnership with the Cristo Rey Columbus High School Professional Work-Study Program for the 2013-2014 school year that brought students inside the Mount Carmel community to work and learn.

Cristo Rey is the newest Catholic high school in Columbus, and the school’s unique work-study program empowers children from low-to-moderate-income families of all faiths to gain valuable work-place skills and experience in exchange for their tuition.

As a business partner with Cristo Rey, Mount Carmel sponsored eight students to work within its Creative Services department, Mission Services, Health Sciences Library, and the Foundation. In addition to working one full work day during the week at Mount Carmel, each student maintained a full schedule of college-preparatory coursework.

There are 26 Cristo Rey high schools across the country. Cristo Rey Columbus High School is the newest addition, opening in 2013. Historically, 97% of Cristo Rey seniors graduate from high school and 98% of graduates enroll in a two or four-year college. The work-study program is one example of how the school works hand in hand with the community to broaden the educational experience for its students.

This article was originally published in the Summer 2014 Inspire Newsletter.