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Catholic High Schools

Cristo Rey High School

Cristo Rey is a Catholic high school in East Harlem which opened its doors in 2004. What separates this Catholic schools from the rest is that it focuses on college preparation and involves a work study program. The school's tuition is 2000 dollars per year which makes it the lower costing private high school in New York City. To help alleviate costs, all students work during the week at various places throughout the city. 

The school's population comes from all parts of the city but with the majority coming from either the Bronx or Manhattan. Seventy-eight percent of the students have hispanic descent and at least a third of them are of Dominican descent. 

Although it is not the most state-of-the-art facility, Cristo Rey creates an environment that is conducive to education. Just by mere observation, you can see how the teachers engage the students and how the students are very receptive. 

Interview with Mr. Jose Rivera (Director of Admissions)

Mr. Rivera and I began our conversation with him explaining the school's admission process. He spoke about the school's selectivity and how all students must go through an interview process before they can be accepted. 

I asked him about what the school did to help Dominican students graduate and continue on to college. 

He explained to me that like all the other students, Dominicans were provided with a "rigorous college-preparation curriculum." Mr. Rivera then proceeded to show me a list of all the colleges and universities that their graduating class of 2009 was accepted to. He also spoke about how the school catered to immigrant families who cannot afford the private school education. 

Interview with Senior student:

When asked about whether he identified himself as an American or a Dominican, he answered Dominican before I could finish the question. However he made sure to mention to me that he loves America but the Dominican Republic "will always be my home."

We discussed how an institution such as Cristo Rey is beneficial to the Dominican community. The main point that was emphasized was that it offered a first rate education at a price which they could afford. 

These are the kinds of institutions that spark upward mobility and prepare the second generation for adulthood.