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Cristo Rey Puts Students to Work for Education

By Delores Jones

A growing network of Catholic schools across the country has developed a new model for educating low-income Latino students, or, for that matter, low-income kids from any background. At the 11 Cristo Rey schools around the country, students attend classes four days a week. One day a week, they work entry-level positions at local businesses and corporations. The money they earn goes towards their tuition.

In October, Kansas City businesses decided to support a Cristo Rey school here. School President Sister Vickie Perkins says it will open in the fall with at least 100 students. Perkins has previously served as principal of Bishop Hogan High School, and superintendent of Kansas City's Catholic Schools.

This week, Sister Vickie Perkins started to interview students and parents for the new school.

Sylvia Maria Gross is storytelling editor at KCUR 89.3. Reach her on Twitter @pubradiosly.
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