Cristo Rey Charleston High School to Open in 2027
The new North Charleston campus will serve high school students through a work-study model starting in 2027.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Cristo Rey Charleston High School is set to open in North Charleston in 2027, becoming the 42nd institution in the national network. Located in the Chicora Cherokee neighborhood, the school will provide college preparation for students from families of limited economic means.
Why it matters
The school aims to increase educational accessibility by utilizing a unique model that combines professional experience with classroom instruction. By offsetting tuition through paid internships and philanthropy, the institution creates a path to higher education for local families facing economic barriers.
The school serves students in grades 9 through 12 and requires four years of theology classes. It occupies a 58,000-square-foot renovated facility in the Chicora Cherokee neighborhood.
The players
Cristo Rey Network
This is a national association of Catholic high schools that integrates professional work experience into their academic curriculum.
Metanoia
This is a local nonprofit organization that partners with schools and communities to support development and educational initiatives.
The details
Students at the new school will participate in professional paid internships one day a week throughout their four-year high school career. To facilitate this, 25 companies in the Charleston area have already committed to providing these work opportunities, with the renovation project managed in partnership with the nonprofit Metanoia.
Timeline
January 2026: Renovation work began on the former Old Chicora Elementary School building.
2027: Cristo Rey Charleston High School is scheduled to open its doors to students.
Culture Shift
The school’s arrival marks a broader move toward integrated work-study models that challenge traditional secondary education structures. This shift positions the Cristo Rey work-study model as a practical alternative for students seeking professional development alongside their core academic coursework.
Local families will gain access to a tuition-offset model that allows students to gain professional experience while attending classes. The community will see the revitalization of the former Old Chicora Elementary School building as it is transformed into a functional 58,000-square-foot campus.
The takeaway
This school offers a unique approach that prioritizes workforce readiness through early professional exposure for its student body. Interested families should monitor future enrollment windows to take advantage of the internship-integrated curriculum.
Further reading
For more context on local academic opportunities, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by South Carolina Public Radio.
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