Friday, September 25, 2009

ARCHDIOCESE — The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, who have been developing plans for a new Catholic high school in Cincinnati, DePaul Cristo Rey High School, have determined that the school will open in 2011.

De Paul Cristo Rey will be modeled after other schools in the nationwide Cristo Rey network of schools, which educate economically disadvantaged students.

A feasibility study, completed by the Sisters of Charity and other advisors in 2008, evaluated local demographic, educational and logistical data as well as the opinions of community leaders to assess the needs of high school youth. The 2011 opening date has been established because a building site has yet to be finalized; the current economic downturn may affect student work study opportunities; and a decrease in corporate giving and grants has made it difficult to meet funding requirements.

Franciscan Sister Jeanne Bessette has already been named president of the new school. For more information about the Cristo Rey Network, visit www.cristoreynetwork.org.