MINNEAPOLIS, MN—On Thursday, January 14, Rep. Jon Koznick, Lakeville-R, along with other members of the Minnesota House of Representatives, toured Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis. Henry Jimenez, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, and Dr. Emily McDonald, Director of Equity and Innovation for Lakeville Area Public Schools, also joined the tour.
“Visiting Cristo Rey was an eye-opening view of how school choice can benefit our students,” said Rep. Koznick. “The Cristo Rey approach demonstrates that if we innovate, great strides can be made to shrink the achievement gap and reduce economic disparities.”
The school has a success rate of helping 100% of graduates be accepted to a two or four-year university, vocational-based schooling, or joining the military. Cristo Rey is home to an initiative – Corporate Work Study Program – to help students gain critical job skills before graduation. This year, 94% of these students met or exceeded expectations at their place of work.
“Giving our students the skills to be successful in the workplace following graduation is an important pillar of Cristo Rey’s innovative approach,” said Koznick. “In St. Paul, we need to search for educational reforms and increased choice to provide these kind of opportunities for students across the state. I appreciate Dr. Emily McDonald from Lakeville Area Public Schools for joining the tour. I am confident that the exchange of ideas shared will benefit our district students and programs.”
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