Sustaining Catholic Education in and for the Black Community
By Lois J. Carson, Sr. Roberta Fulton, S.S.M.N., Dorothy Gupton, Veronica Morgan-Lee, Freida D. McCray, Mary Crowley McDonald, Kathleen A. Merritt, Sr. Jamie T. Phelps, O.P., Ph.D., Brother Gary Sawyer, ECSA, Deacon Marvin Threatt, PhD.
(Article: Page
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Chapter 1
Models of Effective Schools
Sustaining Catholic education in and for the Black community is a reality. Many schools across the United States have achieved great success in sustaining Catholic education in and for Blacks through a variety of models. The Catholic Education Commission researched numerous models and best practices. Included in this chapter are four outstanding models: Work-Study, Funding, Diocesan Support, and Foundations.
Work-Study Models
Model 1: Cristo Rey Network
Cristo Rey Network is a national association of high schools that provides quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to urban young people who live in communities with limited educational options. Most of these students qualify for the federal free- or reduced-lunch program. Member schools utilize a longer school day and year, academic assistance, and counseling to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. All students at Cristo Rey Network schools participate in a work-study program through which they finance the majority of the cost of their education, gain real world job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of their education.
The first Cristo Rey school was founded by Fr. John Foley in Chicago in 1996 to assist students with their tuition and to give them work experience. The Cristo Rey Network of schools was founded in 2001 when leaders from Portland, Oregon, Cleveland, Denver, and New York gathered to learn more about Cristo Rey Jesuit High School of Chicago, with the goal of replicating the model school.
Since 2001, leaders of the Cristo Rey Schools have been meeting regularly to share ideas and best practices. In 2003, the Cristo Rey Network formally organized as a 501(c)(3) organization. The Network is governed by a Board of Directors, several of whom are elected by the Member Schools. The Members of the Cristo Rey Network are schools approved by the Board. Each member school agrees to adhere to the 10 Mission Effectiveness Standards of the Cristo Rey Network.
B.J. and Bebe Cassin were the first philanthropists to promote the scaling up of the Cristo Rey model. In 2001, they made a $12 million commitment to replicate the Cristo Rey schools. Today, dozens of foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and individual donors throughout the country contribute to the efforts of the Cristo Rey Network. As of the 2006 to 2007 school year, the Network comprises 12 member schools.
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