By Tracey Primrose
It’s been nearly a decade since community leaders in Seattle began dreaming about founding a new Jesuit high school that would provide a career-focused, college preparatory education for students with limited economic resources.
On August 27, that dream was realized when Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School’s (CRJS) inaugural class of ninth graders walked through the doors of their new school. The school’s innovative educational model is based on students working one day per week in paid, entry-level professional jobs to underwrite the cost of their education. Students benefit from job training skills, professional development, mentorship and, perhaps most importantly, becoming part of a nurturing community devoted to their success.
The excitement continued the next day as the students attended Draft Day, where they learned which of the school’s 19 corporate and nonprofit partners would be their employer for the academic year. The event, which featured a brass band and was emceed by a local sportscaster, was held at Seattle University’s Pigott Auditorium. Students, family members, work-study partners and CRJS employees packed the theater.
Draft Day was the culmination of much hard work. In early August, students reported to campus to participate in the Montserrat Summer Bridge Program, designed to help prepare them for high school.
Paul Hogan, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School’s founding president, said, “The energy was palpable as they met their teachers, administrators and fellow students, and began to learn their new schedules and expectations. It was a day filled with hope and potential, setting the stage for three weeks of growth and discovery.”
The Montserrat program emphasizes professional skills development, including a “Handshake and Networking Workshop,” to help students understand how to make strong first impressions and engage in meaningful conversations. Volunteers from the community helped students refine their skills, providing feedback on eye contact, tone and engagement. Students also ventured beyond the classroom to visit local universities and corporations.
The program ended with a Tie Ceremony, where students were given their new school ties. According to Hogan, “It was a moment of recognition and pride, marking the end of their summer journey and the beginning of their high school adventure.”
