Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School is pleased to announce completion of their Capital Campaign, Building Futures. Changing Lives. Due to the overwhelming support of foundations, corporations, individual donors and New Markets Tax Credits, Cristo Rey exceeded its original campaign goal by $5.1M and raised a total of $30.2M in just 14 months. Funds raised will be used to convert a seven-story office building, located at 222 Piedmont Ave., into a highly functioning school with state-of-the art classrooms, labs, kitchen, cafeteria, chapel and a competition size gymnasium and auditorium.

The 70,000 Sq. Ft. building was donated to Cristo Rey in November, 2015 by Atlanta developer Jim Cumming and his wife, Janet. Immediately after, the school launched the campaign in order to raise the necessary funds for extensive renovations. Exceeding the campaign goal has allowed for the school to make a number of improvements that they otherwise could not afford, such as additional classrooms and athletic space, environmental efficiencies, a student gathering space, and the purchase of big-ticket items that will minimize on-going maintenance costs.

According to Bill Garrett, President, the campaign has served as an example of how passionate the Atlanta community feels about offering a high quality, college prep education to those who are underserved and underrepresented.

"Under the direction of Camille Naughton, our Vice President of Advancement, we were able to do what many characterized as impossible," said Garrett. "Camille, campaign chairs, Mike and Kathy Cote, and development chair, Dave Fitzgerald, fully committed themselves to the campaign. They left no stone unturned and the results prove it. I am amazed at what this team accomplished in such a short amount of time. Because of them, we are a permanent fixture in the Atlanta skyline and will be able to serve students of limited economic means for generations to come."

For Mike and Kathy Cote, it was an easy decision to chair the capital campaign. "We strongly support the Cristo Rey model which combines rigorous academics with practical experience in the workplace," said Kathy Cote. "We were given the opportunity to change the lives of these students and their families by chairing this critical fundraising campaign. People from every walk of life, from Atlanta's key business leaders to local volunteers, have been so supportive of this effort. It is a privilege to be part of the mission."

Founded in 2014, Cristo Rey Atlanta is the 28th school among 32 Cristo Rey schools which are located in most major cities across the United States. The school will reach capacity this upcoming school year with a total of 525 students in grades 9-12 and 140 Corporate Work Study® Job Partners. Companies hire students to work in full-time equivalent jobs and pay a fee to the school which offsets a majority of the costs to educate. Partners include some of Atlanta's premiere companies including CHOA, Coca-Cola, Delta, EY, Emory Healthcare, Home Depot, Invesco, SecureWorks and UPS. Last year, 1,695 students graduated from Cristo Rey schools around the country and 100% were accepted to college. In May, 2018, Cristo Rey Atlanta will graduate its first class of students.

Move-in date is scheduled for June 3rd. Classes begin July 24, 2017.

About Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School

Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit High School is a Catholic learning community that educates young people of limited economic means, of any faith or creed, to become men and women for and with others. Through a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, integrated with a relevant work study experience, students graduate prepared for college and life.

About the Cristo Rey Network

The Cristo Rey Network provides a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to young people who live in urban communities with limited educational options. Our mission is clear – college success for Cristo Rey Network students. Member schools utilize a rigorous academic model, supported with effective instruction, to prepare students with a broad range of academic abilities for college. Cristo Rey Network schools employ an innovative Corporate Work Study Program that provides students with real world work experiences. Every student works five full days a month to fund the majority of his or her education, gain job experience, grow in self-confidence, and realize the relevance of his or her education. Students work at law firms, banks, hospitals, universities, and other professional Corporate Partners.