As of the 2019–20 school year, the school had an enrollment of 210 students and 16.6 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.7:1. The school's student body was 45.7% (96) Black, 45.7% (96) Hispanic, 4.8% (10) two or more races, 1.9% (4) Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander, 1.4% (3) Asian and 0.5% (1) White.[3]
On May 7, 2020, the Archdiocese of Newark stated that the school would permanently close at the end of the academic year.[5]
Christ The King Preparatory School opened in August 2007 and graduated its first class in 2011. It is part of the Cristo Rey Network of high schools nationwide, the original being Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago.[4][6] The president of Christ the King Prep is Fr. Bob Sandoz. Its founding principal was Kevin P. Cuddihy, the former principal of St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City and former dean of students at Xavier High School in Manhattan.
For the 2016–17 school year, the cost per student was $12,835, defrayed through a $7,100 corporate internship and $2,700 in financial assistance provided to all students; the net tuition was $2,700 per student.[1]
Students had to complete 40 hours of voluntary service in each of the first two years and 50 hours of service in both junior and senior years.[7] Various retreat opportunities were offered and all students made a retreat in junior year.[8]
Student ambassadors were selected to represent the school to the public, and there was an elected student council.[9]
On May 7, 2020, the archdiocese announced that "Cristo Rey Newark High School, a member of the Cristo Rey Network®, also will close due to lack of operational viability, as per a resolution adopted by the school’s Board."[5]
^ ab"Archdiocese of Newark announces consolidation of school community and closure of 10 Catholic schools", Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, May 7, 2020. Accessed September 27, 2020. "The Archdiocese of Newark has announced the consolidation of its school community and the closure of nine archdiocesan-operated elementary schools at the end of this school year, the result of archdiocesan strategic planning efforts to strengthen the overall school program and ensure a sustainable future for Catholic education in the Archdiocese. Cristo Rey Newark High School, a member of the Cristo Rey Network®, also will close due to lack of operational viability, as per a resolution adopted by the school’s Board."
Kearney, G. R. More Than a Dream: The Cristo Rey Story: How One School's Vision Is Changing the World. Chicago, Ill: Loyola Press, 2008. ISBN978-0-82-942576-5