At a Glance
A Catholic College-Prep Path with Real-World Work Experience
Families seeking a Catholic college-prep education in East Harlem who value the Cristo Rey model of combining academics with real-world work experience, and who want their child in a school where nearly everyone shares a similar cultural background. Ideal for first-generation college-going students whose families prioritize faith-based education with professional development opportunities.
- Part of the national Cristo Rey network with integrated work-study program
- Very high Hispanic enrollment (78.8%) reflecting authentic community roots
- Roman Catholic college-prep curriculum in a neighborhood underserved by private options
- 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio allows for individualized attention
- Nearly all students are students of color — a distinctly different demographic than most Manhattan private schools
- Religious affiliation means weekly Mass or religious instruction is part of the schedule — families should be comfortable with Catholic identity
- With 0% white enrollment, the student body lacks the demographic diversity found at many private schools — this may or may not matter to your family
- As a selective private school, there is an admissions process
- As a private school, tuition applies — Cristo Rey schools use work-study and financial aid to make access possible, but families should understand the cost structure
A Roman Catholic coed college-preparatory high school serving East Harlem's predominantly Hispanic community. The 16.8:1 student-teacher ratio indicates a school that maintains personal attention despite its modest enrollment of 386 students.
With 78.8% Hispanic and 16.1% Black students, this student body is remarkably homogeneous compared to most NYC private schools. The diversity index of 0.48 reflects a school that is diverse in some dimensions but heavily weighted toward one ethnicity — this is less about selection and more about the community it serves.
East Harlem (South) is a densely populated, predominantly Latino and Black neighborhood in Upper Manhattan with deep cultural roots, strong family networks, and a mix of residential buildings and local businesses. It's accessible by subway and has a community feel that many families value.
The school sits in a walkable neighborhood with strong transit connections, making it manageable for students commuting from across Manhattan and the Bronx.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews - alumni praise college preparation and supportive teachers; parents note school is lowest-priced private school and appreciate affordability; some concerns about limited AP course offerings and college readiness for rigorous universities
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades 9 to 12 in East Harlem (South).
- What grades does CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL serve?
- CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL serves grades 9 to 12.
- How do students get into CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL?
- CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL in?
- CRISTO REY HIGH SCHOOL is in East Harlem (South), Manhattan.
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