In the heart of Richmond's Museum District, Quinn Evans’ project at the historic Cristo Rey Richmond High School is reaching exciting milestones in its journey of transformation. This ambitious project involves the renovation of its campus at 315 N. Belmont Ave., previously home to Benedictine College Preparatory school. With a vision to provide a cutting-edge educational environment, our team collaborated with the school on a comprehensive renovation of its facilities.
The most recent highlight was attending a dedication ceremony held last month to celebrate the completion of renovations in campus buildings housing academic, student life, and administrative facilities including the new Entry Pavilion. This new entryway will ensure better orientation and accessibility to all learning spaces through ramps, stairs, and an elevator, enhancing the overall mobility within the building.
Recent renovations have been a critical part of the larger effort to create a state-of-the-art learning environment for Cristo Rey students. The main academic building, for instance, now boasts 24 classrooms. This transformation came as a result of reworking the interiors to create appropriately sized classroom spaces, improving the overall academic experience.
Cristo Rey Richmond is part of a national network of Catholic schools, and the local school, which opened in 2019, has been growing steadily. The school currently serves 215 students across grades 9 to 12. However, with the capital project's completion, the co-ed school is poised to increase its enrollment to 350 to 400 students. This expansion is part of Cristo Rey's mission to provide accessible education to a broader student population.
One of the standout features of Cristo Rey's approach to education is its work-study program, which helps families afford the school's tuition of $17,300 this year. Through this program, students work paid jobs at local companies, and the money they earn goes towards their school expenses. This, combined with scholarships, results in a significant majority of the school's families paying less than $2,000 per year.
Cristo Rey has cultivated partnerships with 54 workplaces, including law offices, museums, and financial services firms, for its work-study program. In line with their enrollment goals, the school aims to double the number of program partners, further expanding opportunities for their students. The ongoing phased high school renovation and expansion reflect the unique educational program that combines traditional learning with the work-study experience.
Learn more about the project here.
