Cristo Rey Fort Worth students, family, staff welcome school’s growth with new STEAM center
Cristo Rey student Vanessa Rodriguez cuts the ceremonial ribbon for the new STEAM center that added several classrooms, science labs, and a black box theater to Cristo Rey Fort Worth College Prep, on November 5, 2025. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — Sixteen-year-old Julia Lopez eyes the now-completed construction project on the campus of Cristo Rey Fort Worth College Prep with enthusiasm and gratitude. The $5.5-million new STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) center, funded by capital campaign donations, gives the innovative Catholic high school 12 spacious classrooms, four integrated science labs, a conference room, and black box theater for the performing arts.
“I’m excited because it provides our growing student body more room,” observed the 10th grader from Burleson. “It may not seem connected to learning but having classroom windows with natural sunlight makes a difference.”
Under construction since March, the 10,000-square-foot space adds a second floor to the high school’s existing blueprint. Engineers helped administrators envision a way to make room for more classrooms by converting an existing auditorium.
Cristo Rey purchased the 4.47-acre property on Altamesa Boulevard — once home to an interdenominational church — in 2019. The entrepreneurial work/study school opened in 2018 with 75 students and now welcomes more than 300 ninth through 12th graders. Administrators hope the expansion will allow Cristo Rey to accept even more economically disadvantaged youth over the next few years.
The goal to serve 425 students would make Fort Worth one of the larger schools in the Cristo Rey network. Currently, there are 41 Cristo Rey schools in 24 states providing a college preparatory, Catholic education for adolescents with limited economic resources. By combining rigorous academics with professional jobs supplied by corporate partners, the program allows students to earn a portion of their tuition while gaining valuable work experience. The remaining cost of education is covered by philanthropy and family contributions.
Four senior classes have graduated from Cristo Rey Fort Worth with 92 percent of alumni persisting through college.
Students with GRIT
Dani Ray Barton, Cristo Rey Fort Worth president since 2023, is looking forward to next May when the first class of alumni will earn college diplomas.
“People in the community are seeing results,” said the school’s founding work/study director, noting one-third of the freshman class are siblings of current or former students. “Families are happy with what their older children are accomplishing, and our corporate partners value the program and value the students as individuals.”
Cristo Rey began its mission to educate young people with 20 corporate participants. Today, the work/study program boasts 75 partnering businesses and firms.
“It’s amazing to see the impact it’s had on the kids. They grow quickly in these corporate settings,” said Barton, calling the work relationships formed and confidence gained “our secret sauce.”
The newly minted STEAM Center is key to Cristo Rey’s continuing success.
“This is the first true capital investment we made, and our students, families, and staff deserve that,” she added. “Like a lot of schools, we had humble beginnings. You grow, figure out what’s needed, and find resources in the community to help you do that. This space reflects the good work our team is doing.”
The student body was surveyed to assess what improvements they wanted. Swimming pools and rock-climbing walls didn’t make the list.
“They asked for lab spaces, bigger lockers, and wider hallways. They’re teenagers, but they [understand] what’s most important,” the administrator acknowledged. “Hopefully, having more classroom space to serve more families provides the momentum to do other things.”
Adding a kitchen and renovating the gym so the school can host home basketball games are targeted goals and part of Cristo Rey’s ongoing journey.
Barton is eager to show prospective students and their families the light-filled classrooms, inspiring murals, and state-of-the-art science labs that are now part of the Cristo Rey Fort Worth experience.
“Our students, parents, and team are GRITTY,” Barton insisted, referring to the school’s core values of Grace, Responsibility, Integrity, and Tenacity. “They don’t deserve anything less than other schools and students.”
A game changer
The new STEAM addition is a game changer for students, according to Debbie Morrison, chairman of Cristo Rey Fort Worth’s board of directors.
“It lets our students stay on track with their peers in public school who have the advantage of quality facilities,” said the longtime Cristo Rey supporter. “True science labs allow them to become familiar with procedures they’ll use in college. It will give them confidence.”
Even before the remodel, Cristo Rey students were excited to come to school every day, Morrison enthused.
“They do the extra work it takes to come to Cristo Rey and are grateful to the generous community giving them this opportunity,” she said. “The impact it’s having is immeasurable.”
Martin Muñoz wanted to attend Cristo Rey because it’s Catholic and the work/study curriculum offered “an experience unlike any other.” The 15-year-old hopes to become a cardiologist.
“I think the STEAM center will help me do that,” said the Holy Name parishioner. “More space and new equipment will make studying easier.”
Coming to Cristo Rey also allowed Munoz to grow in faith.
“My parents noticed changes in my behavior,” said the sophomore, who comes from a religious family. “They say I’ve matured.”
His classmate, Julia Lopez, has similar hopes for a career in the medical field. She believes the enhanced science labs will help her achieve the goal of attending college and earning a nursing degree.
“Our school is smaller than most, but the opportunities are large,” said the St. Joseph Catholic School alumna who will become the first member of her family to enroll in college.
A lot of her peers at Cristo Rey grew up thinking an education beyond high school wasn’t possible.
“This school not only helps you get into college, they make sure you stay in college,” Lopez continues. “Counselors care where you are in life. They want you to succeed.”
Many Cristo Rey alumni are first generation college students, but academic achievement is not the school’s only objective.
“Yes, we want our students to get a college degree. Yes, we want them to be doctors, lawyers, and engineers, but we also want them to be good people,” Barton asserted. “We want them to be men and women of faith, purpose, and service. That’s our ultimate goal.”