Setting the Tone for Success
When walking into the front lobby of the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Atlanta, Georgia, you are immediately struck by a lobby that perfectly balances sophistication with an open welcoming atmosphere. The lobby is part of a much larger capital campaign that allowed Cristo Rey to expand by renovating a former Oxford Industries building. Much like the school's approach to its education priorities, the renovation breathed life into a building that no one was sure what to do with and made it shine.
Cristo Rey is no ordinary Catholic school. It offers a very unique high school education experience, giving Atlanta's economically disadvantaged students a way to prepare for college, the workforce, and life. Cristo Rey's unique program offers students a college preparatory curriculum, but this intensive program doesn't come free. "When all of our students come here to register for school, we also register them as our employees," explains Bill Garrett, President of Cristo Rey. Students attend classes while also working for one of the school's corporate partners, earning a large portion of their tuition. Parents are also expected to chip in, on a sliding scale. "Two-thirds of our operating budget is provided by students working with our corporate partners," explains Camille Naughton, Vice President of Advancement and Corporate Partnerships. The remainder of the costs are covered by parent contributions and philanthropy.
The lobby of their new education building was an important design element. The lobby needed to set the tone of success for the school," Naughton explained. "We are very pleased with the design.
Communicating excellence, the new lobby is the first place people see when entering the school.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cristo Rey Jesuit High School's approach to tuition?+
Students are registered as employees when they enroll, working for one of the school's corporate partners to earn a large portion of their tuition. Parents also contribute on a sliding scale, and the remainder is covered by philanthropy.
How much of Cristo Rey's operating budget comes from student work?+
According to Camille Naughton, Vice President of Advancement and Corporate Partnerships, two-thirds of the school's operating budget is provided by students working with corporate partners.
What building did Cristo Rey Jesuit High School renovate for its Atlanta campus?+
The school expanded by renovating a former Oxford Industries building in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of a larger capital campaign.
Who does Cristo Rey Jesuit High School serve?+
The school serves economically disadvantaged students in Atlanta, offering a college preparatory curriculum designed to prepare them for college, the workforce, and life.
Why was the lobby design important to Cristo Rey's renovation?+
School leaders wanted the lobby to set the tone of success for the school, balancing sophistication with an open, welcoming atmosphere since it is the first place people see when entering.
Who leads Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Atlanta?+
Bill Garrett serves as President of Cristo Rey, and Camille Naughton serves as Vice President of Advancement and Corporate Partnerships.