Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama, combines academic rigor and a corporate work-study program to empower students from economically challenged communities to graduate high school prepared to persist in college and flourish in life.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Faith in Our Students. Hope for Our City.
A Cristo Rey Network School
A Tradition of Excellence, a Future of Opportunity
Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School traces its roots to 1943, when the Congregation of the Passion founded Holy Family High School in the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. For more than 60 years, the school faithfully served the community, shaping young minds through faith, service, and academic excellence.
In 2007, Holy Family joined the Cristo Rey Network and became Holy Family Cristo Rey, expanding its mission to combine rigorous college-prep academics with real-world corporate work experience. But what does it mean to be a Cristo Rey school?
The Cristo Rey model is a groundbreaking approach to education that gives students from economically challenged communities the tools, experience, and confidence to succeed. The first Cristo Rey school—Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago—opened in 1996 under the leadership of Fr. John P. Foley, S.J. Its success inspired leaders nationwide, and within five years, Cristo Rey schools began opening across the country.
Today, the Cristo Rey Network is the only high school network in the U.S. that integrates four years of rigorous academics with four years of professional work experience through the Corporate Work Study Program. Across 24 states, 40 Cristo Rey schools serve 12,350 students and collectively claim 31,120 graduates.
Cristo Rey students graduate with more than a diploma—they graduate with experience, confidence, and a vision for the future.
Comprised of 40 schools across 24 states and collectively serving 12,350 students, the Cristo Rey Network of high schools delivers a career focused, college preparatory education in the Catholic tradition for students with limited economic resources, uniquely integrating rigorous academic curricula with four years of professional work experience and support to and through college.
All Cristo Rey schools are locally owned and operated, while the Cristo Rey Network national office protects the integrity of the movement, and advances school excellence and innovation through 10 shared Mission Effectiveness Standards.
Cristo Rey students graduate with more than a diploma—they graduate with experience, confidence, and a vision for the future.
Our Passionist Legacy
The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School is honored to be endorsed by the Passionists of Holy Cross Province, a religious community founded by St. Paul of the Cross in 1720. The Passionists have played a pivotal role in our school’s history, first as founders and sponsors and now as spiritual endorsers, continuing to support our mission of faith, service, and education.
Since 1938, Holy Family has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for students in Birmingham, originally established to serve the African American community in the segregated South. In 2007, the school became part of the Cristo Rey Network, expanding its mission while remaining rooted in the Passionist charism—walking alongside those in need, fostering resilience, and nurturing the spiritual and personal growth of every student.
The Passionists' values of compassion, service, and justice continue to inspire our work today, shaping a school community where students receive not only a transformative education but also the spiritual foundation to lead lives of purpose and impact.
Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School is honored to be endorsed by the Passionists of Holy Cross Province. The Passionists have played a pivotal role in our school’s history, first as founders and sponsors and now as spiritual endorsers, continuing to support our mission of faith, service, and education.
The Passionists' values of compassion, service, and justice continue to inspire our work today, shaping a school community where students receive not only a transformative education but also the spiritual foundation to lead lives of purpose and impact.
News from Holy Family Cristo Rey
Check out the latest news from HFCR
Holy Family Cristo Rey is making it easier than ever for families to access a high-quality, college-prep private education—without the high price tag or complicated applications. With their Fast Track Enrollment program, families can receive an admissions decision in less than five business days in just three easy steps.
Since launching its in-house SAT/ACT prep program in 2022, Holy Family Cristo Rey has seen consistent gains in student achievement. With a focus on growth, confidence, and college readiness, the program now helps 65% of upperclassmen benchmark on at least one subject—surpassing national Cristo Rey Network goals.
Holy Family Cristo Rey is an approved Education Service Provider under Alabama’s new CHOOSE Act. Families can apply for up to $7,000 per student in Education Savings Account (ESA) funds to help cover tuition—making a Cristo Rey education more accessible than ever.
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