Napa, CA – The De La Salle Christian Brothers are pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached between Most Rev. Michael Barber, SJ, Bishop of Oakland, and Brother Donald Johanson, FSC, President, Lasallian Education Corporation, for the intended purpose of establishing and governing a Cristo Rey model high school in the Diocese of Oakland.

“The Christian Brothers’ exemplary contribution to Catholic education, their long history in the East Bay area and their charism make this an ideal partnership,” Bishop Barber said. “We look forward to working with them to renew our investment in Catholic education in the Oakland Diocese.”

The new school’s mission will focus solely on serving low-income families who do not have financial access to quality Catholic education. The Cristo Rey corporate work-study model provides students with professional work experiences which helps offset the cost of tuition.

The Cristo Rey movement began in 1996 on the south side of Chicago in the Pilsen neighborhood. The De La Salle Christian Brothers were the first to replicate the model in 2001 in Portland, Oregon. Today there are over thirty-two Cristo Rey schools in the United States, including four in California.

“The Brothers and Lasallian Partners of our San Francisco New Orleans District are honored by this opportunity,” said Brother Donald, “and we are looking forward to the privilege of serving the students and families of the community.”

John Scudder, President Emeritus, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory, San Francisco, has been named project manager. John will work closely with the Diocese of Oakland, the Lasallian Education Corporation, and the Cristo Rey Network to ensure the completion of a feasibility study due to the Cristo Rey Network on May 1, 2017.

There are many aspects to the feasibility study that need to be completed, but the most important work related to the study will be to fundraise for the school’s first years’ operating expenses ($2.5 million) and secure thirty-six corporate work-study jobs for the freshman class entering in the Fall of 2018.