by Roy Williams,
Special to the Times
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In an era when many are complaining about the state of urban education in metro Birmingham, students at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School in Ensley are showing that young people can thrive academically in the right learning environment. A record 58 percent (142 of the nearly 240 students) made the A-B honor roll (3.0 to 4.0 GPA and above), during the first 9-weeks grading period. Holy Family Cristo Rey Principal Sidney Moore said, “These students earned those good grades through hard work. Our teachers push them to succeed.”
Located in Ensley, Holy Family Cristo Rey is a private Catholic school that offers college preparatory curriculum at a discounted tuition rate thanks to the support and generosity of corporate sponsors and donors. Over 80 corporate sponsors in Birmingham provide jobs and scholarship funds for Holy Family students.
Kennedi Bryant and Corey Walker are among a group of outstanding freshmen. Kennedi has a 4.3 GPA, while Corey achieved a 4.13 GPA. Both students said the combination of a college prep education and internship program attracted them to Holy Family Cristo Rey. Corey is about to begin working for Urology Centers of Alabama in an internship funded by Dr. Brian Christine and his wife. It is a job that will give medical insight as Corey prepares for a future professional career as a cardiologist.
Kennedi, who plans to become an obstetrician, works at UAB and expects to pursue a medical degree at either UAB or Samford. Her mother, Angileque Bryant, said she is proud of her daughter.
“Kennedi is always very serious about her education, and has gotten great grades in school; that is something I instilled in her and my other children,” Ms. Bryant said.
Moore said that Holy Family Cristo Rey is blessed to have quality students in all grade levels. Sophomores Jaylin Russell, who has a 4.4 GPA, and Jarrett Shelby, who has a 4.3 GPA, said they like the smaller classroom setting at Holy Family Cristo Rey. Junior Maria Dudley, who has a 4.57 GPA, would like to attend either Duke University or Harvard University and major in physics. Senior Elijah Brown, a transfer from Bessemer City School has a 4.3 GPA. Elijah said he plans to become a biologist and pursue a degree at UAB, Samford University or Full Sail University. Fellow senior Khayla Jones plans to become a physical therapist.
Holy Family Cristo Rey College Counselor Pamela Cowan said the students all realize the important role education can play in helping them address society’s challenges. Holy Family Cristo Rey students credit the small class setting and Christian atmosphere that focuses on preparing students for college with their academic success. Elijah said there is friendly academic competition among students at Holy Family Cristo Rey. Added Khayla, “I love the one-on-one attention we get from teachers and the friendly environment we have here.”
Holy Family Cristo Rey students said the experience they get from working at a young age will pay off in adulthood. “I have learned a lot at my job, and it has helped me succeed even more in the classroom,” said Elijah, whose supervisor at BBVA Compass won 2012-13 Supervisor of the Year from the Holy Family Cristo Rey Corporate Internship Program.
Steven Roscoe works at Regions Bank, helping process paperwork. Khayla is in her fourth year of working at the Birmingham Coca-Cola bottler, where she assists with invoice and filing in the human resources department. Jaylin works at American Red Cross in customer service. Jaylin Russell and Jarrett Shelby encouraged other students to take their education seriously. “Stay focused and don’t worry about your surroundings because you can overcome them,” Jaylin said. Added Jarrett: “If you are smart, act like it. Do your best and don’t worry about it if people call you a nerd.”
Holy Family Cristo Rey is accepting applications for the 2014-15 school year. The application priority deadline is Jan. 24, 2014 and the absolute application deadline for next year is March 21, 2014. The school will host a parent information night for prospective students on Thursday, Dec. 12.
To register, call Holy Family Cristo Rey Admissions Director Beverly Dixon at (205) 263-0133 or email her at bdixon@hfcristorey.org. Details on admissions requirements are on the school website, www.hfcristorey.org.
