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Expand Our Spanish-Language Collection
Cristo Rey’s dual-language program, which offers college-prep instruction in both Spanish and English, requires all students to perform at or above grade level in both languages. Results on AP tests for both Spanish Language and Spanish Literature (consistently above 90% and 80% passing, respectively) indicate that they are prepared for the rigors of college-level Spanish. Despite these achievements, we also face an ongoing challenge: providing enough high-quality, relevant materials to meet our students’ needs. Because all of our students graduate fully bilingual and biliterate, Spanish-language texts are in especially high demand. The RAILS My Library Is... Grant will profoundly impact Cristo Rey by allowing us to expand our Spanish-language collection and ensure our students have access to the resources needed for both academic success and personal en]richment. Ensuring our library reflects and supports our students’ linguistic and cultural strengths not only helps us meet their immediate academic needs but also encourages them to value the transformational gifts of bilingualism and biculturalism, which open countless opportunities for them.
Support College and Career Exploration
One of the unique aspects of our school is our Corporate Work Study Program, which gives students hands-on, real-world experience in professional environments. This program fosters mentoring relationships, cultivates a strong work ethic, and broadens career awareness. Through these experiences, our students are exposed to a variety of industries and career paths, many of which they might not have considered otherwise.
The new materials acquired through the RAILS Grant will equip our students with the knowledge and inspiration to prepare for higher education, develop critical skills and explore potential careers. By aligning our library resources with our students’ real-world learning experiences, we are helping them become more informed, capable, and confident as they plan their futures.
Increase Library Usage
During the First Quarter of this academic year, teachers are bringing their students to the library to familiarize them with the new resources. With increased awareness of what is available to them, more students will take advantage of the library, strengthening it as a hub for learning. By fostering a love for reading and lifelong learning, we hope to nurture the intellectual curiosity that leads to personal growth and civic engagement. Our library is committed to being an enduring resource for students and staff, serving their educational needs with dedication and purpose.
Fulfill Our Mission
Our motto “Men and Women for Others” is more than a phrase; it is an ethos that guides our direction as a school. This grant directly supports that mission by helping us form students who are academically accomplished and pursue dreams to become leaders with integrity, compassion and a commitment to service.
Thank you to RAILS for their generosity, vision, and commitment to education. Your support will leave a lasting legacy in our school and in the lives of the students we serve.
Today's blog post was written by Alex Wyman, Teacher (he/him) and Paty Posadas, Library Assistant (she/her) at at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School.
This project was made possible by the My Library Is... Grant.