Detroit Cristo Rey High School

What Detroit Cristo Rey High School does

Detroit Cristo Rey High School is a private, coed Catholic college-preparatory high school founded in 2008 and located at 5679 W Vernor Highway in Southwest Detroit, Michigan. It serves approximately 250 students drawn primarily from families with limited economic resources (average gross family income reported at $37K), with 90% of families receiving financial aid. The school is sponsored by the Basilian Fathers and the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and operates as a member of the national Cristo Rey Network under shared Mission Effectiveness Standards.

The school's core product combines a rigorous college-preparatory academic curriculum (including honors and AP courses in precalculus, biology, computer science, literature, U.S. history, and psychology, plus Latin, Spanish, fine arts, and theology) with the signature Corporate Work Study Program, which places every student in a paid professional position one day per week with 80+ corporate employer partners across automotive, healthcare, financial services, and nonprofit sectors. Through this integrated work-study model, students earn up to 50% of their own tuition costs while gaining four years of professional work experience. Supporting services include four-year college readiness counseling, an Office of Alumni Advising serving 730-798 graduates, social-emotional counseling, campus ministry, an athletics program under MHSSA governance, a nationally competitive robotics team (Kinematic Wolves 5577), dual enrollment at University of Detroit Mercy yielding 1.5 college credits per student, and a free breakfast and lunch program through the federal Community Eligibility Provision. The school is Cognia-accredited and offers the Global Seal of Biliteracy.

The revenue model is hybrid. Total published tuition is $18,400 per student per year, structured so that corporate work-study wages cover approximately $8,000 (43%), donor/charitable contributions cover approximately $7,000 (38%), and family contributions cover the remaining $350–$3,400 (income-based via FACTS financial verification, with a 10% sibling legacy discount). Additional revenue is generated through the annual Rey of Light Spring Gala, Breakfast with Purpose breakfast event, recurring major-gift and foundation donations, and corporate partner fees. The school is led by President William R. McGrail (since 2025), Principal Karla Gudiño, and a Board of Trustees that includes senior executives from Lincoln, Ford, Strategic Staffing Solutions, Ideal Group, Expeditors International, Continental Automotive, Gleaners, Detroit Salt, Ancor Automotive, Nivalis Energy, Christiano Property Group, PwC, and University of Detroit Mercy. The school has achieved a 100% college acceptance rate every year since 2012.

Name

Detroit Cristo Rey High School

Legal name

Detroit Cristo Rey High School

Website

https://detroitcristorey.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Detroit Cristo Rey High School is a private Catholic college-preparatory school in Southwest Detroit serving approximately 250 students from low-income families, integrating a four-year paid Corporate Work Study Program with 80+ employer partners and rigorous academics to deliver 100% college acceptance annually since 2012.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Payments: Income-based tuition payments from families, with extensive financial aid and scholarship support. Total tuition is $18,400 per year, with family contributions ranging from $350 to $3,400 based on household income and family size.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Detroit Cristo Rey High School is a coed Catholic college-preparatory high school that delivers a four-year college-prep curriculum integrated with the Corporate Work Study Program (CWS), placing every student in paid professional employment one day per week with 80+ corporate partners. The school serves approximately 250 students in Southwest Detroit, combining rigorous academics (including honors and AP courses) with professional work experience, comprehensive college readiness counseling, social-emotional support, and faith formation rooted in the Basilian and IHM traditions.

Product overview

Detroit Cristo Rey High School is a coed Catholic college-preparatory institution serving approximately 250 students with limited economic resources in Southwest Detroit. The school operates as part of the Cristo Rey Network and offers a unified educational model that combines rigorous academics with professional work experience. The core educational offering includes a four-year college-prep curriculum featuring honors and AP courses, complemented by the distinctive Corporate Work Study Program that places every student in paid corporate employment one day weekly. Additional integrated services include social-emotional counseling, comprehensive college readiness counseling, alumni support, Campus Ministry, athletics, and food services. The school provides income-based tuition with extensive financial assistance, achieving 100% college acceptance annually since 2012.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Work Study Program (CWS) A distinctive four-year professional work experience program that places every student in a paid corporate job one day per week during school months. Students earn up to 50% of their tuition cost while gaining real-world professional experience through partnerships with 80+ corporate employers across industries including automotive, healthcare, finance, and technology.
• College-Preparatory Academic Curriculum Rigorous four-year college-preparatory education combining traditional academics with Catholic values. Includes honors and Advanced Placement courses (AP Precalculus, AP Biology, AP Computer Science, AP Literature, AP US History, AP Psychology), world languages (Latin and Spanish), fine arts, technology, and theology aligned with Basilian and IHM educational traditions.
• College Readiness Counseling Comprehensive four-year college counseling program that includes individual meetings, college visits, scholarship guidance, FAFSA assistance, essay review, and matching students with colleges aligned to their interests and strengths. Students receive weekly scholarship notifications and dedicated support through college enrollment.
• Alumni Support Services Ongoing support for graduates through the Office of Alumni Advising, assisting 700+ alumni with continued financial aid applications, college persistence, job opportunities, and access to the Cristo Rey Network National Alumni Association. Includes emergency funding assistance and personal outreach.
• Social-Emotional Counseling Dedicated counseling services providing academic support, crisis intervention, grief counseling, career counseling, anger management, family and peer conflict resolution, and depression/anxiety support for all grade levels without requiring referrals.
• Athletics Program Competitive sports program offering fall (Boys Soccer, Girls Volleyball, Cross Country), winter (Boys/Girls Basketball, Wrestling, Cheerleading), and spring (Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, Girls Soccer, Track and Field) athletic seasons under MHSAA governance.
• Food Service Program On-site meal preparation offering free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Managed through Meal Magic system with food allergy accommodations available.
• Tuition Assistance and Scholarships Income-based tuition program with up to 90% of families receiving financial aid. Multiple donor-supported scholarship funds including Mary Fran Gilleran, James Schembri, James & Lynelle Holden, Fr. Clemente Kern, McNish Foundation, Coyne Foundation, and Robert M. Morand Foundation. Legacy sibling discount of 10% available.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college acceptance rate every year since 2012
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

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

• Nivalis Energy SystemsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy systems company; Board member Martin J. Klein represents Nivalis Energy Systems, LLC.
• General MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor automotive employer participating in Corporate Work Study Program. Students placed in professional positions gain real-world experience at GM facilities, contributing to their tuition costs while developing workplace skills.
• Ford Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor automotive manufacturer with deep ties to the school; Board Chair Joaquin Nuño-Whelan is Lincoln President and represents Ford Motor Company.
• StellantiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor automotive employer participating in Corporate Work Study Program, providing students professional work experience in the automotive industry.
• Corewell HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system (formerly Beaumont) employing students through the Corporate Work Study Program in healthcare administrative and support roles.
• Henry Ford HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor healthcare system in Detroit participating in Corporate Work Study Program, providing students healthcare industry exposure.
• Lincoln Motor CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium automotive brand whose President Joaquin Nuño-Whelan serves as Board Chair of Detroit Cristo Rey, representing Lincoln on the board.
• AccenturemajorTechnology or IntegrationGlobal professional services company providing students work experience in technology and consulting roles through the Corporate Work Study Program.
• WalbridgemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company participating in Corporate Work Study Program, offering students exposure to the construction and engineering industry.
• DTE EnergymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Michigan energy company employing students through the Corporate Work Study Program in administrative and technical roles.
• Strategic Staffing SolutionsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaffing firm with Detroit presence; Board member Mary Messana represents Strategic Staffing Solutions on the Board of Trustees.
• Ideal GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManufacturing company; President Jesse Venegas featured as speaker at Breakfast with Purpose event; Board member Pamela Savedes represents Ideal Group.
• Expeditors InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal logistics company; Board member Steve Walker is Retired from Expeditors International.
• AdientmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive seating company participating in Corporate Work Study Program providing students automotive industry experience.
• Continental AutomotivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive technology company; Board member Andrew Martin is Retired from Continental Automotive.
• Gleaners Food BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank organization; Board member Angela Moloney represents Gleaners Community Food Bank.
• Barton MalowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company participating in Corporate Work Study Program offering students exposure to construction industry.
• RehmannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccounting and consulting firm participating in Corporate Work Study Program, providing students accounting and business experience.
• Plastipak PackagingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPackaging manufacturing company participating in Corporate Work Study Program offering manufacturing industry exposure.
• Detroit SaltminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial salt company; Board member George Davis represents Detroit Salt.
• Ancor AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive supplier; Board member Jose Flores represents Ancor Automotive.
• Christiano Property GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReal estate and development company; sponsor of Annual Gala.
• Ally FinancialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services company; mentioned as potential employer through Corporate Work Study Program.
• Krause FinancialminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial services company participating in Corporate Work Study Program.
• Visit DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDetroit's tourism organization; partner providing students hospitality and tourism industry experience.
• Huntington BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional bank providing students financial services industry experience through Corporate Work Study Program.
• Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm; Board member Kara James represents PwC.
• University of Detroit MercycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution providing dual enrollment college credits; Board member Katherine Snyder represents University of Detroit Mercy.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School: A sister Cristo Rey Network high school applying the same integrated college-prep + Corporate Work Study model in Atlanta. Direct peer because both schools operate the identical CWS program structure, share Network standards, and target similar low-income student populations.
• Cristo Rey New York High School: New York City Cristo Rey Network school with the same integrated college-prep + professional work experience model. Direct peer because both schools share the Cristo Rey curriculum framework, accreditation through the Network, and partner with corporate employers for student work placements.
• Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Milwaukee: Midwest sister Cristo Rey Network school in Milwaukee applying the same college-prep + Corporate Work Study model. Direct peer due to identical Network-driven curriculum, shared accreditation standards, and a similar employer-driven work study program.
• Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School: Urban Cristo Rey Network school serving a low-income student population with the CWS program. Direct peer because of identical mission, model, and Network affiliation, providing a useful benchmark for DCR's outcomes and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• University of Detroit Jesuit High School: Established private Catholic college-prep high school in Detroit with a longer operating history. Broader incumbent because while it competes for similar Detroit families and offers college-prep academics, it does not run the Corporate Work Study Program or restrict its mission to low-income families.
• Brother Rice High School: Long-standing Catholic college-prep high school in the Detroit metro area. Broader incumbent because it competes for the same Catholic, college-bound families in Detroit but operates a traditional tuition model without the work-study component.
• Loyola High School Detroit: Private Catholic high school in Detroit and former employer of DCR's current President, William McGrail. Comparable as a Detroit-area Catholic college-prep school competing for a similar applicant pool, though not operating the Cristo Rey work-study model.

Emerging players

• KIPP Detroit: Charter college-prep network operating in Detroit with a similar mission of college access for low-income students. Emerging player comparison because KIPP competes for the same applicant pool via a different delivery model (charter rather than private Catholic) and without the work-study program.
• BASIS Charter Schools: Charter operator known for rigorous college-prep academics with strong AP and outcomes metrics. Comparable as an alternative college-prep option for families in larger markets, though not currently in Detroit and without the work-study or Catholic identity.

Regional players

• Marian High School (Michigan): Catholic college-prep high school serving the broader Detroit-area market. Regional player comparison because it serves a similar metro geography and demographic, though it operates a traditional tuition model without the Cristo Rey work-study program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@detroitcristorey/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/detcristorey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/detroit-cristo-rey-high-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/detroitcristoreyhighschool

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Detroit Cristo Rey High School