Grad at Grad

One of the distinctions of a Jesuit High School is the "Grad at Grad" statement that pinpoints goals and characteristics that a graduate of a Jesuit high school should attain by graduation. There are five characteristics shared by all Jesuit High Schools. Cristo Rey has one additional characteristic to reflect the unique nature of the school.

The graduate of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School embodies six characteristics:

Open to Growth

The Jesuit high school student at the time of graduation has matured as a person- emotionally, intellectually, physically, socially, religiously – to a level that reflects some intentional responsibility for one's own growth. The graduate is beginning to reach out in his or her development, seeking opportunities to stretch one's mind, imagination, feelings, and religious consciousness.

Intellectually Competent

By graduation the Jesuit high school student will exhibit a mastery of those academic requirements for advanced forms of education. While these requirements are broken down into departmental subject matters areas, the student will have developed many intellectual skills and understandings that cut across and go beyond academic requirements for college entrance. The student is also developing habits of intellectual inquiry as well as a disposition towards lifelong learning. The student is beginning to see the need for intellectual integrity in his or her personal quest for religious truth and in his or her response to issues of social justice.

Religious

By graduation the Jesuit high school student will have a basic knowledge of the major doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church. Having being introduced to Ignatian spirituality, the graduate will have also examined his or her own religious feelings and benefits with a view to choosing a fundamental orientation toward God and establishing a relationship with a religious tradition and/or community. What is said here, respectful of the conscious and religious background of the individual, also applies to the non-Catholic graduate of a Jesuit high school. This level of theological understanding of a Jesuit High School graduate will naturally be limited by the students level of religious and human development.

Loving

By graduation the Jesuit high school student is continuing to form his or her own identity. He or she is moving beyond self-interest or self-centeredness in close relationships. The graduate is beginning to be able to risk some deeper levels of relationship in which one can disclose self and accept the mystery of another person and cherish that person. Nonetheless, the graduates attempt at loving, while clearly beyond childhood, may not yet reflect the confidence and freedom of an adult.

Committed to Justice

The Jesuit high school student at graduation has acquired considerable knowledge in the many needs of the local, national, and global communities and is preparing for the day when he or she will take a place in these communities as a competent, concerned and responsible member. The graduate has been inspired to develop the awareness and skills necessary to live in a global society as a person for and with others. Although this commitment to doing justice will come to fruition and mature adulthood some predispositions will have begun to manifest themselves earlier.

Work Experienced

The Cristo Rey Jesuit graduate has grown because of his or her work experience. Through reflection the graduate has begun to explore his or her own potential for growth, learning, and accomplishment in particular areas. Work presents an opportunity to discover and demonstrate personal talent, confidence, and capability. The graduate has begun to appreciate connections between learning in the workplace and learning at school. He or she values work because of its personal reward and social benefit.

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