The Mill City Times Interview: Community Leader Jeb Myers, President, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Article by Becky Fillinger

Jeb MyersA high school with a 100% college acceptance rate? We have one in our community – Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. We talked to President Jeb Myers about the Cristo Rey model, including their innovative Corporate Work Study Program and how the community can be involved in their mission.

Q:  Please tell us about the history of the Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis. 

A:  The Cristo Rey model was developed by the Jesuits to find a way to provide quality, Catholic secondary education for the immigrant Latino population of Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods, resulting in the first Cristo Rey Jesuit High School. Its development faced a great challenge...funding. There was simply no way these families could afford a traditional private secondary education.

When the first Cristo Rey High School opened its doors in 1996, it started the internships to help students pay the private school tuition. Students attended classes four days a week and went to work one day a week at paying jobs in the local, Chicago business community. After only a year, they observed an unexpected benefit from the work-study program; the students themselves were earning a wage to underwrite their tuition and valuable skills and experience for their future. And in 2001, the Cristo Rey Network was established to replicate Cristo Rey-model high schools across the country.

After visiting the original school in Chicago, Ryan Companies executives decided to lead the establishment of a Cristo Rey school in the Twin Cities. Building construction was completed in June 2007 and in August of that same year we welcomed our first freshmen class of nearly 100 students. Each year an additional class was added to our student body; we now serve 500 students in grades 9 to 12.

Graduation day!

In June 2011, we celebrated our first graduation. 100% of our first graduating class was accepted to college or the military. Our student success has since been repeated every year, with 100% of graduating seniors accepted to college. We have over 760 graduates and celebrated our first college graduations in May 2015.  

Q:  Do you have more applicants per year than seats available? 

A:  Yes. We enroll 130 students in grade nine from the almost 300 applications each year. Typically, we have a 75% acceptance rate and a long waiting list. Families are encouraged to apply early.

Each student receives a Dell laptop for academic and Corporate Work Study Program work.Q:  How does the Corporate Work Study Program work? How many employers work with your school and students? 

A:  The signature and differentiating component of Cristo Rey schools is the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is the only high school in Minnesota that provides students access to college preparatory academics and professional work experience through the Corporate Work Study Program. Students largely self-finance their Cristo Rey education from which they graduate with beyond-the-classroom evidence that they are college-ready and career-prepared. In turn, CWSP supports workforce development challenges by diverse candidates with the social and technical skills to perform the jobs of our knowledge-based economy. 

The Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) is independently incorporated, functioning as an employment agency within a Cristo Rey school. Cristo Rey students are employees of the CWSP, not of our business partners. Partners pay a competitive, annual service fee to the CWSP, not to the student. However, 100% of the money goes directly to the cost of each student’s education. CWSP manages employment eligibility verification, payroll, insurance, taxes, and other employer issues, with the explicit awareness and approval of relevant state agencies and the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Students work in a four-person job-sharing team to fill one full-time equivalent position during standard daily business hours, Monday through Friday, for the entire academic year. Academic schedules are structured so that students work without ever missing class. Our integrated academic and CWSP experience is widely recognized as the critical component to a Cristo Rey education. Real life experience at the Corporate Work Study brings relevance to academics and belonging in the workforce. 

Currently, we have 83 Corporate Partners. Pre-pandemic, we had over 120 Corporate Partners providing all 500 students with a job. Nearly 10% of Partners employ alumni post-college graduation.  

Q:  You mentioned the school's new Technology Lab. What is it? 

A:  The Ken Melrose Technology Lab will allow Cristo Rey Jesuit students to develop skills in coding, CAD, circuitry, audio/visual editing and marketing through the use of high-tech equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers, 3D printers, drones, robots, video and photography software and other industry-related equipment. This will maximize students’ preparation for work study positions and future careers. Our fully-equipped Technology Lab will prepare Cristo Rey students for higher skilled in-demand jobs. The addition of technical skills training to our curriculum will help to meet the increase in industry demand for software developers, analysts, and employees in computer and IT roles.  

Q:  You had a lunch and learn program in February – the program discussed how Cristo Rey is a proven solution to upending systemic injustice. Sounds like it was a terrific webinar. Are the programs open to everyone? 

A:  Cristo Rey intentionally invests in people, organizations, and communities of color addressing systemic barriers and delivering real change. Our innovative Corporate Work Study Program builds a pipeline of diverse, 21st Century talent. We’re preparing students of any culture, faith, or creed for the demands of the growing knowledge-based economy. That February program was well attended.

We’re always looking for new folks to get involved with our mission! Our Lunch & Learns are hosted quarterly and open to everyone. The next one will be held in April 2021. Register here. We’re hopeful that it might be held in person at our campus at 2924 4th Avenue S.

Q:  How are college acceptances proceeding for the Class of 2021? 

A:  Over 80% of Seniors have been accepted to one college thus far. Everyone is working towards 100% College Acceptances. 

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  There are many ways!

News is posted on our website, and we are on the following social media:  Facebook,  Instagram,  Twitter,  LinkedIn and YouTube.