A Cristo Rey student participates in distance learning coursework. The school was among the city’s first to take instruction — and supports for student wellbeing — online starting March 18.

Learning during COVID-19: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School

Students moving forward with full virtual classes, access to counselors, and workplace learning modules

By: Isral DeBruin

As schools shift to serve students remotely during the COVID-19 crisis, some are emerging as standouts. These schools aren’t stopping at basic worksheet packets and instead are offering their students coordinated, school-wide, comprehensive distance learning. City Forward Collective is highlighting these schools to spread best practices and encourage others to keep students moving forward.

Educators at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School responded to COVID-19 school closures with a quick transition to serving students online — both with distance learning and care for the whole student.

A Cristo Rey student stops for a selfie during a recent distance learning class.

When state officials announced schools would close, Cristo Rey arranged for students to pick up Chromebooks and other materials within days. That allowed students to resume regular academic studies March 18, attending fully formed virtual classes just one day after Wisconsin schools closed statewide.

The official online school day at Cristo Rey runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with students checking into each class. Teachers provide virtual instruction, and students participate in group discussions, activities, and 1:1 meetings with teachers and other students, as well as individual classwork.

Teachers and students use tools like Hapara and Google Classroom to communicate and share assignment. Student work is graded as usual.

Cristo Rey’s corporate internship is a signature program of the school, placing students in area companies for hands-on work experience in a professional setting. While COVID-19 has forced these internships to pause, students are receiving workplace learning through weekly online learning modules.

In keeping with its roots in the Jesuit tradition, the Cristo Rey team has maintained its focus on providing care for students as a “whole person.” Students engage in daily prayer and community with peers through Faith Formation small groups. Students and families have also been invited to access counseling as-needed.

The school is working to meet the needs of each student individually. This means providing things like internet access and meals to some, while offering classwork accommodations for others who are balancing additional family responsibilities.

FACTS & FIGURES

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School is a private Catholic school accepting tuition vouchers through the Milwaukee Parental Choice, Wisconsin Parental Choice, and Special Needs Scholarship programs.

• Grades: 9–12
• Enrollment: 391 students
• Student demographics: 94.4% Latin@; 4.6% Black; 0.5% Asian; 0.3% White; 0.3% Two or More Races
• Students from economically disadvantaged households: 92.3%
• Students with special needs: 0%
• Students with limited English proficiency: 11%
• State rating: Meets Expectations

2018–19 data from Wisconsin School Report Card system

Isral DeBruin is director of strategy and communication at City Forward Collective. He is a former elementary school teacher and award-winning education reporter.