Partnering with more than 1,700 businesses, Cristo Rey Network schools are changing urban education in the United States. Much like an employee leasing agency, the Corporate Work Study Program has streamlined the process for employing their students. Students are not on the payroll of the employing organization; rather they are employees of the school’s separately incorporated Corporate Work Study Program, which the sponsoring organization pays annually for the services of the students.
Cristo Rey students earn the majority of their tuition by spending four days a week in college preparatory coursework and one day in a professional, entry level job as part of their Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) requirements. Four years of rigorous academics combined with CWSP experience ensures our students are college and career ready.
Students at Cristo Rey Network schools work in teams of four. Each student works five full days a month. Their academic schedules are structured so that students work without missing any classes.
The Corporate Work Study Program has realized many real-world benefits for its students. The program has evolved into an innovative means of providing students with crucial hands-on, professional work experience, while simultaneously empowering them to assume an active role in financing the larger portion of their education. As a result of working in a business environment, students create positive relationships in the business and professional communities, build their resources, acquire valuable job experience and marketable skills, develop a network of business contacts and gain exposure to a wide range of career opportunities.
“I often tell our team that ‘saying something’ and ‘doing something’ are two different things. We ‘say’ one of our core values is supporting our communities. Having our Cristo Rey Richmond students in the office give us a chance to actually ‘do’ it. They are doing great work, are a pleasure to be around, and bring their smiles to the office every day. It’s a win all the way around.”
We are incredibly grateful for the support the Richmond community has already shown to the Corporate Work Study Program since Cristo Rey Richmond opened its doors in 2019. By matching business interests with the educational and economic needs of our students, we provide them their best chance of overcoming the financial barriers that limit their educational and professional opportunities. We are the school that works in the heart of Richmond.
For more information or questions, Please contact our Corporate Work Study team at CWSP@cristoreyrichmond.org or (804) 447-4704
