Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School

What Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School does

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School (DBCR) is a private Catholic college-preparatory high school founded in August 2007 in Takoma Park, Maryland (Montgomery County), operated under the sponsorship of the Archdiocese of Washington and the Salesians of Don Bosco. It serves economically disadvantaged students in grades 9-12 from across the DC metropolitan area (over 60 zip codes), currently at full enrollment of approximately 429 students and taught by ~65 faculty and staff. The school's product offering consists of three core layers: a rigorous college-preparatory academic curriculum requiring approximately 31 credits to graduate; the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), in which student teams of four share one full-time entry-level position at a partner employer one day per week, covering approximately 42.5% of the $21,000 per-student education cost; and the Center for Student Success & Alumni Persistence, founded in 2022 to support students through college graduation. Supporting products include athletics (PVAC member, the "Wolfpack"), youth ministry grounded in Salesian spirituality, and a clubs/activities program.

The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: Finalsite CMS powers the school's website, PlusPortals handles parent/student academic tracking, SCOIR supports college counseling, and WorkStudyForce tracks work-study attendance and student records. DBCR generates revenue from three primary streams: CWSP corporate partner fees ($11,000 for a single student up to $35,000 for a four-student team annually), family tuition contributions set on a sliding scale from $1,080 to $2,800 based on household income, and scholarships/advancement income covering approximately 25% of per-student cost. The go-to-market is a hybrid: a B2C admissions motion targeting families via community outreach, shadow visits, open houses, and an online application portal (dbcr.fsenrollment.com); and a B2B enterprise sales motion in which a dedicated CWSP Relationship Management team (led by Director Kevin Sullivan) recruits and retains corporate partners across the DC metro. With 300+ corporate partners, a 93% renewal rate, 98% positive student evaluation ratings, and a 100% college acceptance rate sustained since the first graduating class of 2011, DBCR operates as a high-performing, capacity-constrained nonprofit whose growth is now primarily programmatic (alumni persistence, athletics, capital expansion) rather than enrollment-driven.

Name

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School

Legal name

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School

Website

https://dbcr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School is a private Catholic college-preparatory high school in Takoma Park, MD serving ~429 economically disadvantaged DC-metro students through a unique Corporate Work Study Program that places student teams at 300+ partner employers, funding 42.5% of the $21,000 per-student cost alongside sliding-scale family tuition and scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Catholic K-12 Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Catholic secondary education
• College preparatory school
• Corporate work study
• Student work placement
• Private high school

Headquarters

HQ city

Takoma Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Work Study Program fees: Corporate partners pay annual fees to DBCR's CWSP office in exchange for teams of student workers. Fees are: 4 students $35,000/year; 3 students $28,000/year; 2 students $20,000/year; 1 student $11,000/year. This revenue covers approximately 42.5% of each student's education cost. Students do not receive wages directly from corporate partners for the school-year program; wages are applied to tuition.
2. Family Tuition Contributions: Families contribute tuition ranging from $1,080 to $2,800 per year based on household income and size. The cost to educate each student is approximately $21,000 per year. Scholarships cover approximately 25% of the cost.
3. Scholarships and Institutional Advancement: Scholarships (approximately 25% of cost) come from individual donors, foundations, government funding, corporate giving, and other initiatives. The school maintains a comprehensive advancement program including annual fund, event sponsorships, and the Scholarship Society.
4. Summer/Break Work Wages (Student-Directed): Students may be hired directly by corporate partners during school holidays and summer breaks. In those cases, students are paid directly and wages go to the students rather than to tuition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School delivers a Catholic college-preparatory education for grades 9-12, integrating a rigorous academic curriculum with its signature Corporate Work Study Program in which students work one day per week at partner companies to help fund their tuition. The school also operates a College Success & Alumni Persistence Center that supports students through college admission and graduation, and serves as a feeder pipeline of motivated, trained student workers for 300+ corporate partners in the Washington, DC metro area.

Product overview

Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School is a Catholic college-preparatory institution offering a unified educational program centered on academic excellence combined with professional work experience. The core portfolio consists of the College Preparatory Academic Program (grades 9-12 with a minimum of 31 credits), the Corporate Work Study Program (students work one day per week at partner companies earning 42.5% of education costs), and the College Success & Alumni Persistence Center (providing college counseling and alumni support through graduation). Supporting offerings include an Athletics Program (Wolfpack), Student Clubs and Activities, Youth Ministry, Summer Bridge to Success (freshman orientation), and Business Technology Classes. The school has achieved a 100% college acceptance rate for all graduating classes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• College Preparatory Academic Program Rigorous Catholic college-preparatory curriculum for grades 9-12 covering theology, English, mathematics, science, social studies, world language, fine arts, technology, and college prep courses. Students must earn approximately 31 credits to graduate, including 4 credits each in theology, English, mathematics, and social studies. Designed for students from families with limited financial resources in the DC metro area.
• Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) Work-study program in which DBCR students work one day per week at partner companies in teams of four sharing one full-time entry-level position, earning approximately 42.5% of their education cost while gaining professional experience. Corporate partners pay tiered annual fees from $11,000 (1 student) to $35,000 (4 students).
• College Success & Alumni Persistence Center Dedicated center providing college exposure, financial literacy, high school course advising, individualized counseling, competitive essay and resume coaching, test preparation, federal and state student aid guidance, scholarship counseling, and alumni persistence support through college graduation. Underpins DBCR's 100% college acceptance rate since 2011.
• Athletics Program (Wolfpack) Competitive athletic program offering soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross-country, track, and softball for boys and girls. Member of the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC). Boys Varsity Basketball won the 2025 PVAC Athletic Conference Championship.
• Student Clubs and Activities After-school clubs and activities including Best Buddies, Black Student Alliance, Caribbean American Student Association, Chess Club, Cheer Club, FBLA, Girls Who Code, House Council, Latin American Student Association, National Honor Society, STEM Club, and others.
• Youth Ministry Spiritual development program based on Salesian spirituality, the Preventive System (Reason, Religion, and Loving-kindness), and the four pillars of Faith, Family, Future, and Fun. Includes retreat programming and faith formation activities.
• Summer Bridge to Success Three-week summer program for incoming freshmen that prepares students for their first corporate work assignment with rigorous pre-placement training.
• Business Technology Classes Ongoing technology training courses including Business Information Management for 9th graders and Startup Tech for 10th graders, providing students with workplace-relevant technical skills such as Microsoft Office for use in corporate work placements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate for all graduating classes since 2011
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cristo Rey NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational network of over 40 Cristo Rey model schools. DBCR is a member school. The network sets standards for Cristo Rey schools, provides the work-study model framework, advocates for special labor provisions from the U.S. Department of Labor, and facilitates collaboration, support, and development among member schools. DBCR is an active participant in network initiatives including the Cristo Rey Cup competition and the Decision Tracker.
• Archdiocese of WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Archdiocese of Washington invited the Salesians of Don Bosco to co-sponsor and co-found a Cristo Rey model school in the Washington metropolitan area. The Archdiocese provides recognition and sponsorship, and its Secretary for Catholic Schools (Kelly Branaman) serves ex-officio on the DBCR Board of Directors.
• Salesians of Don BoscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Salesians of Don Bosco (St. Phillip the Apostle Province of New Rochelle, New York) co-sponsor and co-founded DBCR, infusing the educational approach of St. John Bosco into the school. The Salesians' Preventive System of education—based on Reason, Religion, and Loving-kindness—underpins the school's culture. Rev. Lou Molinelli, SDB serves as Director of Mission and ex-officio board member.
• AccenturemajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner. Provides entry-level clerical and professional support roles for DBCR student teams in the consulting sector.
• Bank of AmericamajorOthersCorporate Program Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program. Supports the program's financial operations and student placement infrastructure.
• Georgetown UniversitymajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner. One of the founding employers approached in 2006 by Fr. Steve Shafran. Provides professional work experience for DBCR students in an educational institution setting.
• Children's National Medical CentermajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the healthcare sector. Students perform entry-level clerical tasks including data entry, patient support, and administrative work. Praised students for providing excellent service.
• Baker Botts LLPmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the legal sector. Notably hired DBCR alumna Emily Rodriguez as a Records and Information Governance Analyst after she completed the program and college.
• Jones DaymajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the legal sector. One of the founding employers of the program, approached by Fr. Steve Shafran in 2006.
• BolandmajorOthersFounding sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program since 2006. Lou Boland stated that DBCR students have been an important piece of the Boland culture and their hard work and dedication are highly valued by associates.
• Boston Consulting GroupmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the consulting sector, providing professional work experience for DBCR student teams.
• Marriott InternationalmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the hospitality sector.
• Carlyle GroupmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the financial services sector, providing investment and finance-related work experience for DBCR students.
• MedStar Georgetown University HospitalmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the healthcare sector. Hosted student workers in administrative roles.
• Clark Construction GroupmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the construction management sector.
• Hogan LovellsmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the legal sector.
• Latham & Watkins LLPmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the legal sector.
• Williams & Connolly LLPmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the legal sector.
• National Geographic SocietymajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the media and publishing sector.
• MITRE CorporationmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the science, technology, and engineering sector.
• Truist BankmajorOthersCorporate Program Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program.
• Atlantic Union BankminorOthersCorporate Program Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program.
• G2 Capital AdvisorsminorOthersCorporate Program Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program.
• Walker & DunlopminorOthersCorporate Program Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program.
• The Williams S. Abell FoundationminorOthersAngel Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program. Angel sponsors contribute directly to the CWSP when a business does not have appropriate entry-level clerical work, and a team of students is assigned to work at a local nonprofit organization.
• The Columbia FoundationminorOthersAngel Sponsor of the Corporate Work Study Program, supporting students to work at local nonprofits.
• BerkadiamajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the real estate sector. Praised the program's well-coordinated and well-managed approach, calling it a perfect fit.
• Catholic Charities DCmajorOthersCorporate Work Study Program partner in the social services sector.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Loyola Blakefield: Jesuit Catholic college-preparatory school for young men in Towson, MD (Baltimore metro). Comparable college-prep product and brand position, but in the Baltimore rather than DC market.
• Our Lady of Good Counsel High School: Catholic college-preparatory co-ed high school in Olney, MD serving suburban DMV families. Competes for the same Catholic-college-prep market from a different position (not work-study based) and a more affluent demographic.

Direct peers

• Georgetown Preparatory School: Jesuit Catholic college-preparatory boys' school in Bethesda, MD. Competes in the DMV Catholic college-prep market alongside DBCR, Georgetown Prep, Gonzaga, and DeMatha.
• St. John's College High School: Catholic college-preparatory school in Washington, DC. Competes directly with DBCR for DMV Catholic college-prep families and is co-ed.
• DeMatha Catholic High School: Catholic college-preparatory school for young men in Hyattsville, MD (just outside DC). Competes head-to-head with DBCR for college-bound Catholic families in the DMV and serves a similar demographic mix.
• Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School: Network-mate Cristo Rey school in Brooklyn, NY operating the identical work-study-integrated college-prep model with the same income-eligibility framework. A benchmark peer within the Cristo Rey Network.
• Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School: Member of the same Cristo Rey Network running the identical Corporate Work-Study Program model in Philadelphia. Most directly comparable institution: same network affiliation, same model, but different geographic market.
• Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Chicago: Chicago Cristo Rey Network school running the same work-study-driven college-prep model in a major metro. Comparable size, peer institution within the network.
• Cristo Rey New York High School: Harlem-based Cristo Rey Network school offering the same college-prep-plus-CWSP model, often cited as the network's flagship and a useful performance benchmark for DBCR.
• Gonzaga College High School: Jesuit Catholic college-preparatory high school for young men located in Washington, DC. Competes for the same DMV college-prep Catholic-school student pool but does not run a work-study model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DonBoscoCR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/donboscocristoreyhighschoolandcorporateworkstudyprogram
• Instagraminstagram.com/donboscocristorey
• TikToktiktok.com/@donboscocristorey

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School