August 18, 2008

NEW CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL TO OPEN DOORS IN BROOKLYN

The new Lourdes Academy High School in Bushwick, a part of the Cristo Rey national network of innovative secondary schools, will open the doors to its first freshman class Sept. 2 when approximately 50 youngsters embark on a program that will combine academic challenges and business experience within a Catholic environment.

Situated in the former Our Lady of Lourdes School building on Aberdeen St., the academy will offer ninth-graders from families with minimal incomes a solid education while they spend one day a week learning and developing job skills in a business setting at one of a dozen corporations.

The school is patterned after the first Cristo Rey high school, established by a Jesuit priest, Father John Foley, in Chicago in 1996, whose format has since been replicated in 18 other Cristo Rey schools across the country. Lourdes Academy is one of three new schools in the nation this year, raising the total to 22.

A new class will be added each year until a four-year enrollment is in place, said Maureen Reiser, the academy president. “Everyone in this program is so excited about being able to provide this unique opportunity for our students,” she said.

Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and retired Auxiliary Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan, who were instrumental in welcoming the school to the Diocese of Brooklyn, will celebrate an opening Mass on the school property on Friday, Sept. 19.

Ms. Reiser said the students will complete a three-week training institute before September that will focus on business etiquette and working on computer and other skills that will help them in their weekly workplace experience.

The corporate enterprises will utilize the youngsters and pay for their employment, but the funds will go to the academy to offset a major portion of the cost of educating them. “Each company’s ability to recognize the positive impact that this can have on our community and their willingness to sponsor a team of students drives our program fiscally,” Ms. Reiser said.

The families of the students will be expected to meet an annual tuition bill of about $2,000. “Grants from foundations and individual patrons will assist in meeting other expenses,” she noted.

Ms. Reiser said the students were chosen to enroll in the academy on the basis of motivation, maturity, academic potential and expressions of serious intent to carry out their job responsibilities.

She said many of the students are graduates of five parochial schools in the area: St. Frances Cabrini, St. Rita’s, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Michael’s, St. John the Baptist, Blessed Sacrament, St. Brigid’s, Our Lady of Trust, SS. Joseph and Dominic and St. Cecilia’s. The others will include graduates of public schools who will be experiencing Catholic education for the first time.

“All of us at Lourdes Academy are extremely grateful for the prayers and commitment of all those who have made our program possible,” Ms. Reiser said.

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8/18/08