PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School celebrated their first-ever graduating class Friday night.
100% of the graduating senior class has been accepted into a four-year college or university, and all will attend post-secondary school in the fall.
Senior James Froio is headed to Drexel on a full scholarship He was there when Cristo Rey opened its doors 4 years ago in North Philly. Cristo Rey now has 30 schools in cities across the country.
Cristo Rey offers a unique curriculum blending rigorous academics and work study for lower income, highly motivated students who worked 1 day a week in private companies, with their salaries helping to fund their high school education.
"I believe the experience they got from work study along with education is what put them ahead of everyone else," said parent Judy Frio.
Cristo Rey works to help each of the students get scholarships and grants to make higher education affordable.
They were the first class, a test kitchen of sorts, to find out if this educational recipe would work here in Philadelphia, and if you look at the actual results, it appears the answer is clear.