¡Viva Cristo Rey! Catholic high school finds new campus

While the inevitable end of summer slowly approaches, the anticipation of a new school year begins to build as students and teachers across the state prepare to return to the classroom.

For students at Cristo Rey OKC Catholic High School, the back-to-school buzz of excitement is even greater. After spending its first five years of operation on the campus of OSU-OKC, Cristo Rey OKC has relocated to the newly-renovated Oakridge building near Southeast 44 and Bryant avenue.

The mission of Cristo Rey OKC is to provide an education to students with limited economic means, by combining rigorous academics with real-world work experience that will prepare students for success in both college and life. 

Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, the new home of the Cristo Rey OKC Royals formerly housed students of Oklahoma City Public Schools. The self-contained campus at 4200 Leonhardt Dr. in Del City will accommodate the increasing student population and offer athletic facilities for students, while providing a more traditional high school setting.

Principal Kelsey Herman shared her enthusiasm about the new campus. 

“We have been busy this summer moving and preparing to launch the ‘23-’24 academic year in our new space,” said Herman. “We are excited for the opportunities that the new building provides for our students including a gym, library and art space. It will be great to build memories and traditions here.” 

Juniors Emili Carrion and Lisandro Collazo said they are looking forward to using the new gym and having a bigger cafeteria space. When asked what they were most excited about, they answered in unison: “The library!” 

“I feel like everything is amazing, because we got a lot of new stuff,” said Carrion. The move is particularly momentous for Carrion and Collazo, who are now in their third year at Cristo Rey. 

Cristo Rey OKC’s growth is evident in the athletic opportunities available to students, which include basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, rowing and cross country. Pom was added last school year and an eSports team was added for the current school year.

Jeremy Tilton, Cristo Rey OKC’s athletic director, expressed his excitement about the move and the opportunities it brings. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to have a gym for the first time in our school’s brief history ... This is yet one more thing that our student athletes can take ownership and pride in having,” said Tilton.

“I've been around since the beginning of Cristo Rey OKC - coaching the boys basketball team the first two years - so it fills me with joy each time we have any ‘firsts’ occur,” said Tilton. “Having our own gym ranks right up there!”

The flurry of activity on the new campus has generated interest among the residents in the surrounding neighborhood. In July, a group of incoming freshman and transfer students completed “Summer Success,” a two-week orientation program that provides training on workplace skills and etiquette to prepare students for the corporate work-study program.

In between practicing professional correspondence and learning how to utilize spreadsheets, incoming Royals made time for a little fun and bonding with classmates, even participating in scavenger hunts. On the last day of Summer Success, the activities culminated in a “Draft Day” celebration, where the new student’s corporate work-study assignments for the school year were revealed.

Carrion will be working at Cristo Rey OKC in the admissions and reception office. Collazo will be working at OU Health Sciences Center.

Some of Cristo Rey OKC’s corporate work-study partners include American Fidelity, the Oklahoma City Thunder, Midfirst Bank, Integris and Lamar. 

For more information about Cristo Rey OKC visit cristoreyokc.org or call (405) 698-1300.

Sally Linhart is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.