Philadelphia Cristo Rey???

Out to see Hawk Talk tonight in Havertown and chatted with Joe Lunardi for a few minutes about the possibility of North Catholic High School being saved as a Cristo Rey High School, in a partnership with the National Cristo Rey Network and the Northeast Catholic Alumni Association and under the auspices of the Jesuits and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. A meeting was held last night with over 800 enthusiastic parents in attendance. Normally it takes years to start a Cristo Rey school -- but don't count this group out just yet. The Falcons are not going down without a fight.

For more information -- or how you might be able to help -- please click NCCRinfo.





THE PURPOSE OF THE FEASIBILITY
In December 2009, The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the National Cristo Rey Network authorized a Planning Team to conduct a feasibility study and preliminary plans for starting a new Cristo Rey model high school in Philadelphia.

The Planning Team will examine the starting of a new Cristo Rey model school that incorporates the best traditions of Northeast Catholic High School, which will close in June of 2010. The Planning Team will evaluate the feasibility of opening the new school in September of 2010 so as to provide an option for current North Catholic students as well as other interested students in the community.

The purpose of the Feasibility Study and Start-up Plan is to evaluate the economic viability of the new school and to address critical policy and start-up issues. During the course of the work, the Planning Team will conduct informational sessions and interviews with prospective parents and students and with potential business and community supporters in order to describe the Cristo Rey model and to evaluate the extent of community support. Community support will be evaluated based on business support for the Work-Study jobs program, fundraising support for capital, endowment and tuition assistance and the projected enrolment of students in the new school.

INITIAL PLANNING SCHEDULE
The Planning team expects to complete their initial report by the end of February at which time more detailed planning and start-up activities could begin.

THE PLANNING TEAM
The Planning Team is comprised of Philadelphia leaders in business and education, graduates of Northeast Catholic High School, representatives of the Northeast Catholic High School Alumni Association, the National Cristo Rey Network, The Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and the Society of Jesus. Click here for a list of Planning Team members.

HOW CAN I HELP?
Planning for the start-up of a new school requires plenty of work and resources. Making Cristo Rey in Philadelphia a reality will require:

- More than 100 businesses to participate in the Work-Study Program
- Fundraising campaigns for capital requirements and an endowment
- A fundraising campaign for tuition assistance
- Programmatic fundraising for extra-curriculars
- Student recruitment programs
- Faculty and administration recruiting


FAQ
Planning Team
Contact
How Can I Help?
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