The Cristo Rey Jesuit Spring Open House for prospective students and families was a great success. Over 150 people, totaling about 50 families, visited the campus on the afternoon of February 28^th to learn more about the curriculum and culture of Cristo Rey Jesuit.

Typically, Cristo Rey Jesuit Open Houses consist of school tours, booths for academics and corporate work-study, and a student panel. This time, there was a new and visibly popular addition – a Parent Panel. The testimonials of faculty, staff and students are frequently proclaimed during school tours, fundraisers and community events, but it is seldom that the voices of satisfied parents join in on the praise.

Below is a summary of responses from our current Cristo Rey Jesuit parents. A common concern of prospective parents was how students managed their heavy workload and busy week. Current parents weighed in on the benefits and sacrifices of this unique educational model.

• “No student should have a problem passing—everyone is willing to help. Everyone is making a sacrifice for your child.”
• “When my daughter was accepted, they told me that she would be in tutorials –it was a blessing because it motivated her to get a 92 average in algebra.”
• “When [my daughter] came to Open House, I thought it was going to be hard to manage work and homework, but she has learned great time management.  She works at Macquarie and it is great exposure to the workforce.”
• “Religion has impacted their lives.  My older son went astray; this son is on a much better path.”
• “I see the attitude change when they walk through the door.  She’s happier, more comfortable, and more confident.”
• “The dress code makes kids feel confident and ready.”
• “Their jobs really do care about them.”

In addition, prospective families who participated in the Student Panel learned the students’ perspectives first-hand.

• When asked how the students coped without sports, a student answered, “It’s a challenge because volleyball is my passion but I am able to focus more on school and work which will take me further. We also have school clubs that we can get involved in.”
• “The community here is like one big family.  The teachers are incredible. The students are all united. We support each other and push each other to do the work.”
• “[The hardest part is the] long classes. You need to pay attention for so long. There are long days, but you get used to it.  Long days have paid off. I’ve grown a lot, learned to balance all these things—work, school and home life.”
• “This school has made me more mature.  I see the mistakes that I made in the past and how they hurt me.”
• “At 16, I could be working at James Coney Island, but here I have an office. They treat you like you are at the same level.”
• They push you to be professional, time efficient, organized, how to manage homework, to prepare for work and for life after college.”
• I’ve learned a lot since coming here. The teachers spend time teaching you what you need to know.”

It is not too late to apply!  Prospective families are encouraged to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it as soon as possible.  Cristo Rey Jesuit hopes to enroll 125 freshman and 10 - 15 sophomores.

Following is a unique look into the Corporate Work-Study program through the eyes of Cristo Rey Jesuit student, Gabriela Gill.

“You’re going to have to work!” my high school counselor told me.  “Work?” I asked.  “Yes, you’ll go to work in a really tall building,” she tried to explain.  She kept talking, but I know that my face must have said it all: I had no idea what she was talking about!

When I found out that I would be working at United Way as a student at Cristo Rey Jesuit, I did not feel shocked or scared, I felt completely confused.  What was United Way?  Why would they want me to work with them?

I went home and did a little research, and I was filled with joy when I found out what United Way does in the Houston community.  United Way is a charity that serves children, families, sick people who need access to health care, and many others.  It is a non-profit organization, which means that United Way uses any extra money it makes to help people, instead of just making more money for the people that work in the company.  There is basically no middle man, they help the people themselves.

I was excited about working at such a great place, but I was still anxious.  What would it be like?

My first day at work was not at all like I expected it to be.  I felt so nervous walking in on that first morning.  How could I be working in a real company?  Once I arrived at United Way, I got even more nervous – everyone kept smiling at me, and I was sure that I had something on my face and that they were all laughing at me.  Why else would they be smiling so much?

But I soon came to find that they weren’t laughing at me, they were happy that I was there to work with them.  It didn’t take long for me to figure out what was really going on:  United Way is fun!  The people there are always upbeat and really fun to work with – even on a Monday!  They teach me work skills that I would never imagine I would learn at 14 years old.

I spend most of my time inputting the addresses for items that will be shipped from United Way to their clients.  Along with learning how to use the computer to keep track of shipping information, and how to work in a professional environment, I’ve also learned that it is always okay to smile!

My name is Gabriela Gil, and I work for United Way.