Cristo Rey Atlanta: What to Know About This Unique College-Prep High School in the City

If you’ve heard people in Atlanta talking about Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School and you’re wondering what it is, how it works, and whether it might be a fit for your family, this guide walks through the key details from a local, practical standpoint.

Cristo Rey Atlanta is a Catholic, college-preparatory high school in Midtown that combines traditional academics with a Corporate Work Study Program, giving students both classroom learning and real-world job experience.

Where Is Cristo Rey Atlanta and Who Is It For?

Location (as of the most recent public information):
Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School
222 Piedmont Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
Main office phone numbers are typically listed on the school’s official website or main directory.

The school serves high school students (generally grades 9–12) from across metro Atlanta, with a specific focus on students from families with limited financial resources who are seeking a strong college-prep Catholic education.

You do not have to live in the City of Atlanta proper to attend, but you must be able to commute to the campus and to job sites around the metro area.

Key Features of Cristo Rey Atlanta

Cristo Rey Atlanta is part of the national Cristo Rey Network, but its day-to-day experience is very much tied to Atlanta’s local business and nonprofit communities.

Academic Focus

• College-preparatory curriculum with an emphasis on getting students ready for four-year colleges.
• Core subjects often include:
  • English and literature
  • Math (Algebra, Geometry, higher-level courses)
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, etc.)
  • Social studies and history
  • Theology/Religious Studies (as a Catholic school)
  • World languages and electives
• Emphasis on study skills, writing, critical thinking, and college readiness.

Catholic and Jesuit Identity

Cristo Rey Atlanta is a Catholic, Jesuit school. In practical terms, that usually means:

• Daily life that includes prayer or reflection.
• Theology or religion classes as a graduation requirement.
• School values shaped around service, social justice, and personal responsibility.

Students of all faiths or no faith may attend, but families should be comfortable with a faith-based environment that includes religious imagery, liturgy, and Catholic traditions.

The Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP): How It Works in Atlanta

The most distinctive feature of Cristo Rey Atlanta is its Corporate Work Study Program, which is tightly connected to Atlanta’s economy.

What the Work Study Program Looks Like

• Students typically work one day per week (or the equivalent in a rotating schedule) in an entry-level professional role.
• Work sites are usually businesses and organizations in and around Atlanta, such as:
  • Law firms
  • Banks and other financial institutions
  • Hospitals and healthcare systems
  • Universities and educational organizations
  • Nonprofits, foundations, and civic organizations
  • Corporate offices in Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Perimeter, etc.
• The work study job is structured as part of the school program, not separate after-school employment.

Why This Matters for Atlanta Families

For families in Atlanta, the CWSP can mean:

• Students gaining exposure to corporate environments that many teenagers never see.
• Learning soft skills such as:
  • Professional communication
  • Time management
  • Basic office technology
• Building a local network of adult mentors and professional contacts around the city.

From the financial perspective, the earnings from the work study program are generally applied toward the cost of tuition, which is one of the ways Cristo Rey keeps a college-prep education more accessible to lower-income families.

Tuition, Financial Model, and Affordability

Cristo Rey schools are specifically designed for students whose families cannot afford typical private school tuition.

While the exact tuition amounts and income ranges change over time, the general model in Atlanta tends to include:

• A reduced family contribution compared with other private schools.
• A large portion of the educational cost covered through:
  • The Corporate Work Study Program
  • Scholarships and donations
  • School fundraising efforts

Families in metro Atlanta who are considering Cristo Rey Atlanta generally go through:

1. Application to the school.
2. A financial review, where the school looks at family income and circumstances.
3. A final tuition determination based on the school’s guidelines.

For current tuition ranges, income eligibility, and required documents, families are usually directed to contact the school’s admissions or finance office directly.

Admissions: How to Apply from Within Metro Atlanta

If you live in or near Atlanta and want to explore Cristo Rey Atlanta for your child, the typical admissions path includes several steps.

Basic Eligibility (Common Elements)

While specifics change year to year, admissions often look at:

• Grade level: Incoming 9th graders are the most common entry point; some grades may take transfers.
• Academic readiness: School transcripts, report cards, teacher recommendations, and sometimes assessment scores.
• Financial need: The school prioritizes students who qualify based on income guidelines.
• Ability to participate in the Corporate Work Study Program: Students must be legally able to work in the United States and meet job-readiness standards (attendance, behavior, etc.).

Typical Application Components

Atlanta-area families should expect:

• A school application form, often completed online or with the admissions office.
• Recent report cards and/or transcripts.
• Standardized test scores, if available.
• Teacher or counselor recommendations.
• A family interview or student interview.
• Financial documentation to determine eligibility.

Because Cristo Rey Atlanta is a college-prep environment, the admissions team usually looks for students who:

• Show motivation to succeed in school.
• Are willing to commit to both academic work and job responsibilities.
• Can handle commuting to school and, in some cases, to work sites around the city.

📌 Tip for Atlanta parents: Start contacting the admissions office early in the school year if you are thinking about the next fall. Seats can be limited, and the work study placements take coordination with local employers.

Daily Life for Students at Cristo Rey Atlanta

School Schedule and Transportation

Cristo Rey Atlanta’s schedule is shaped around its academic and work study requirements:

• Students commute to Downtown/Midtown Atlanta, which is central to many MARTA bus and rail lines.
• Many families use a combination of:
  • MARTA trains and buses
  • School-arranged transportation (for work sites, depending on the employer and arrangement)
  • Car rides with family members or carpools

If you live farther out (for example, in South Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, or Clayton County), you’ll want to consider:

• Travel time during peak Atlanta traffic.
• Whether your student is comfortable navigating public transit or transfers to corporate job sites.

Families often ask the admissions office about transportation support or guidance, which can vary by year.

Academics + Work Balance

Students typically:

• Attend regular classes on most days.
• Work one full day per week (or rotational equivalent) at their assigned company or organization.
• Keep up with:
  • Homework
  • Tests and projects
  • College prep activities (like test prep, college applications, and guidance meetings)

This can be a demanding schedule, especially in a city like Atlanta where commute times add up. The school usually supports students with:

• Advisory periods or homeroom.
• Counseling and support staff who help manage work and school expectations.
• Communication between the work study office and academic staff.

College Counseling and Life After Cristo Rey Atlanta

Cristo Rey Atlanta is specifically built around a “college-going culture.” For Atlanta families, that usually means:

• College counseling starting relatively early in high school.
• Help with:
  • Researching colleges, including Georgia schools like Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, and the University of Georgia, plus out-of-state options.
  • Completing applications and personal statements.
  • Navigating financial aid forms and scholarships.

Students leave with:

• A high school diploma from a college-prep curriculum.
• Multiple years of documented work experience in professional Atlanta settings.
• Contacts and references from corporate supervisors who know them personally.

This combination can be especially valuable for first-generation college students or families navigating the college process for the first time.

How Cristo Rey Atlanta Fits Into the Broader Atlanta School Landscape

If you’re comparing Cristo Rey Atlanta to other options in the city, here’s how it generally fits:

Compared to Traditional Public High Schools

• Public high schools in Atlanta (APS, DeKalb, Fulton, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, etc.) are tuition-free and funded through local and state taxes.
• Cristo Rey Atlanta:
  • Is private and faith-based, with a tuition model offset by work study.
  • Offers smaller school environment and a built-in corporate work experience piece.
  • Has religion classes and Catholic identity, which public schools do not.

Compared to Other Private or Catholic Schools in Atlanta

• Many private schools in areas like Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and North Fulton have higher tuition levels and may not have a work study component.
• Other Catholic schools in the metro area may serve a broader economic range and do not necessarily have the same income guidelines as Cristo Rey.
• Cristo Rey stands out for:
  • Its focus on lower-income families.
  • The required corporate work component.
  • Its location in central Atlanta, close to many major employers.

Practical Next Steps If You’re Interested

If you’re in the Atlanta area and want to explore Cristo Rey Atlanta further, here are concrete steps you can take:

1. Contact the School Directly

Call the school’s main office (phone number typically listed on their official site) and ask for:

• The Admissions Office
• Information on upcoming info sessions or open houses
• Details about eligibility, application deadlines, and required documents

2. Ask About Transportation and Commute

When you speak with admissions staff, mention:

• Where you live (neighborhood or suburb).
• How your student might get to Piedmont Ave NE on a daily basis.
• Whether work sites are typically near MARTA or if any transportation help is available through the Corporate Work Study Program.

3. Prepare for Financial Review

Gather documents commonly requested in private school financial aid processes, such as:

• Recent tax returns
• Pay stubs or proof of income
• Information on other household dependents

Ask the school which specific documents are required and how they handle confidential financial information.

4. Talk with Your Student About Commitments

Because Cristo Rey Atlanta combines school + job responsibilities, talk with your child about:

• Comfort level with professional expectations (dress code, punctuality, communication).
• Managing homework and projects alongside a weekly work day.
• Interest in a faith-based, college-focused environment.

Quick Snapshot: Cristo Rey Atlanta at a Glance

For Atlanta families, Cristo Rey Atlanta offers a distinctive blend of faith-based education, real-world work experience, and college preparation, structured specifically to make private schooling more accessible to students from lower-income households. If those elements align with your family’s needs and values, it’s worth reaching out directly to the school to learn about current offerings, requirements, and timelines.