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About Us

About Us

Vision:

Cristo Rey San Diego’s vision is to transform San Diego one student at a time.

Mission Statement:

Cristo Rey San Diego High School’s mission is to educate young people of limited economic means to become men and women of faith, purpose, and service, and prepared for life.
We provide a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, integrated with a relevant work study experience and community service. In the finest tradition of Catholic outreach, we welcome students of all denominations. Students graduate prepared for college and service to their communities.

History

In 1996, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School opened in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago, a Latino neighborhood of working-class families with very limited options for giving their children a high-quality education. Father John P. Foley, S.J. was the founder and first president, leading the new school in its ground-breaking Corporate Work Study Program. News of the remarkable success of the original Cristo Rey school spread to educators and others throughout the country and in 2003, the Cristo Rey Network was formed to facilitate replication of the school model and support all Cristo Rey schools. Today, 37 schools are in the Cristo Rey Network. Every school shares the mission of providing a college preparatory education to students with limited economic resources, uniquely integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support to and through college.
In early 2017 a Feasibility Study was launched to assess the need and support for Cristo Rey San Diego. With the help of many community volunteers and donors, the school opened in August 2020. Cristo Rey San Diego is the 37th school in the country and the 6th in California.
Cristo Rey San Diego High School is an independent, Catholic school. While leadership positions are held by lay people, the school works in close partnership with the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, also known as the Eudists. Father John Howard, CJM, reflects:

“The Cristo Rey motto of “Transforming San Diego One Student At A Time” seems to be a natural for us. We voted unanimously to serve as the Religious Sponsorship of the Cristo Rey San Diego High School. We are not very numerous, but we have a long educational tradition and a very rich spirituality to share. The spirituality of Saint John Eudes focuses on the love and mercy of God. It challenges us to be “Missionaries of Mercy” making that love real especially for those who need it the most.”