Semmes Supports New Cristo Rey Model High School Slated to Open In Baltimore in 2007

Semmes is proud to be in the first wave of enthusiasm and support surrounding the projected opening of the Cristo Rey Model High School in Baltimore. The new Jesuit run high school will offer a college prep curriculum for low income students in Baltimore. The program links students with supporting businesses through a corporate work study program. Students work part time in professional offices ranging from legal and investment firms to banks and hospitals enabling them to earn money to cover the costs of tuition. Semmes is one of 27 corporate partners who have committed to sponsoring the first class of students. The school is slated to open in September 2007 with 100 ninth grade students and will add a grade each year, reaching a full capacity of 500 students by 2012.

Baltimore Cristo Rey school representatives are working with city officials to explore using a former Baltimore city school, located at 1634 Guilford Avenue, that closed in 2001, as a site for the new school. The building will require significant renovations, and a feasibility study is underway to determine the best way to proceed.

The first Cristo Rey school opened in Chicago in 1996. The success of that school led to the founding of the Cristo Rey Network of schools in 2001 by philanthropist B.J. Cassin. He established the Cassin Educational Initiative Foundation, whose mission is to replicate Cristo Rey model high schools. The foundation provides support and resources for existing Cristo Rey model schools. During the current school year, 2,449 students are enrolled in 11 Cristo Rey schools located throughout the country. The Baltimore school is one of eight Cristo Rey schools that will open in the next two years. Most of the schools are operated by religious orders such as the Jesuits.

Established in 1833, the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) encompasses Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia. The Maryland Province is home to more than 400 Jesuit priests and brothers working in a wide variety of ministries such as education, social services, pastoral care and more.

For more information, visit http://www.mdsj.org/cristorey.