School is back in session, and we are thrilled to have high school students in our offices every day. This is our first year being part of Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School’s Work Study Program.

Background: The Cristo Rey Network

There are 38 high schools in 24 states in the United States that are part of the Cristo Rey Network. The high schools provide a quality, Catholic, college preparatory education to urban young people who live in areas with limited educational opportunities and have limited economic means.

The first school in the network was established in Chicago in 1996.

Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School – Facts and Stats

Notre Dame Cristo Rey High School opened in 2004 in Lawrence, MA and has since moved to Methuen, MA. As part of the Cristo Rey Network, the high school offers a quality, college preparatory education for low-income minority students, primarily from Lawrence. The school educates students of any race and religion and incorporates a corporate work study program for students to earn the majority of their tuition. Development raises additional funds to cover tuition costs, while every family pays something.

Since 2008, Notre Dame Christo Rey (NDCR) has maintained a 100% college acceptance rate and of those going on to college, achieved a 62% graduation rate from college while the national average is 9%. NDCR students become first generation college students, earning acceptance at leading colleges and universities including MIT, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Boston College.

LCW CPAs and the Work Study Program

The work study program is essential to the model as students earn their tuition through working at local companies while also gaining four years of professional experience. LCW CPAs is proud to be a corporate partner and sponsor of four high school students who will work with us through the end of the 2023/2024 academic year.

The NDCR students include senior Adamy, junior Julianna, sophomore Jocelyn and freshman Gabriella. Each day of the week, one of the students is at our Lawrence office helping with a wide variety of administrative tasks including pulling client tax returns, filing, scanning, and providing phone coverage. In January, we will have them assist with 1099 form preparation.

The high school has trained all students on Microsoft Office suite software so the students come prepared with core, relevant skills.

To be a corporate work study partner, learn more here. The school makes this program a win-win as the school plans and coordinates all details and logistics including their school vans dropping off and picking up students at your location. If your office or facility is within a 40-minute drive of the school, we encourage you to think about sponsoring a student or students.

Community involvement is a key value of ours at LCW CPAs. Notre Dame Cristo Rey’s work study program is a perfect opportunity for us to enable these students to expand their learning outside of the classroom and enable them to pursue college. All statistics show the benefits have wide reach, as this high school model molds future leaders and positive contributors to society.

Our team is thrilled to have Adamy, Julianna, Jocelyn, and Gabriella with us and we look forward to sharing more news about our Notre Dame Christo Rey High School work study students as the school year progresses.