Photo courtesy of Julie Mietus

When Cristo Rey High School opened its doors four years ago, it embarked on a unique program – and with a unique request to the community.

Cristo Rey recruited students of limited financial means who had a goal of attending college. Beyond that goal, the students agreed to embrace an innovative work-study program that would help pay for private Catholic high school education that would have been difficult, if not impossible, for their families to afford.

Among the key ingredients, of course, were the organizations that would partner with Cristo Rey and put the school’s students to work as part of the work-study program.

On June 2, 53 of the school’s first students graduated, culminating a journey that began rather inauspiciously in a modest former elementary school facility in South Sacramento.

As you would expect, parents, extended families and friends came together for the celebration. But they were joined by the students’ co-workers – people who had seen these once-shy 9th graders transformed into capable and confident high school graduates.

It’s not uncommon to hear high school students talk about their classmates as being like family. But many of the Cristo Rey graduates talk about their co-workers as being like family, taking the time out of their days and nights to work with them, provide counsel – and then admire their accomplishments.

Despite the challenges of the Greater Sacramento area’s economy in recent years, these area businesses and the people they employ made a commitment to our region’s future by their willingness to invest in the futures of these students.

What a difference that investment made.

Students prepare for college in the weeks ahead with four years of work experience and a much better understanding of the careers that may be in their future. They head to colleges and universities throughout California and the nation, many earning full scholarships based on their academic performance.

None of this would have been possible without so many organizations and people giving along the way.

At Cristo Rey, which is part of a network of 24 such schools around the country, we like to say that we are “The School That Works.”

Cristo Rey “works” because of dedicated faculty and staff, but it is also because of our partnership with some of the best employers in the Sacramento region and the support we have received from the community.

The achievements of our first graduating class are a testament to the Sacramento region’s commitment to education. And while so many of our students have had to overcome obstacles and adversity, our community has proven that we can make this a school that works for future generations. Thank you.

Ward Fansler is the president of Cristo Rey High School Sacramento, a Catholic college preparatory high school for motivated students of limited financial means. To see a list of organizations that provide work experience to Cristo Rey students or to inquire about how your organization can get involved, please visit www.cristoreysacramento.org.