About
From the President’s Desk:
Mission-Based Work, Faith Moments, Español & How We’re Just Getting Started
Someone asked recently what surprised me most about Detroit Cristo Rey High School since taking over as president at the start of this year.
Two thoughts come to mind. First, I didn’t fully appreciate just how strong of a community bond there is in Southwest Detroit. Whether it is schools, community service providers or businesses — the collective energy and support the community shows for the people who live and work here is extraordinary and I look forward to being part of this incredible community.
The second is the breadth and the depth of the electives, college preparatory, advanced placement and honors courses that Detroit Cristo Rey offers. That’s impressive for a school of our size. What’s also notable is the fact they are full of students who are excelling in the course work. That speaks to the motivation of our dedicated faculty as well as the character of the young people we are so fortunate to serve.
I enjoyed connecting with many of you at our Meet and Greet in February. I want to take this opportunity to tell you a bit more about myself, some things you might not know, and how I like to work.
As some of you heard, I’m a lifetime metro-Detroiter, a supporter of all things Detroit sports, including being an almost 30-year Lion’s season ticket holder, and also a proud alum of University of Detroit Jesuit High School. After graduating from Marquette University in Milwaukee, with a degree in International Business, I spent the next 20 years in corporate business development. My first job took me to Mexico City, where I lived and worked for three years. Si crees que eso significa que hablo español, tienes razón. Pero ha pasado mucho tiempo, así que por favor ten paciencia mientras recupero mi nivel de español.
In 2015, Loyola High School in Detroit was looking for someone who would elevate and expand their fundraising activities. Studying and analyzing a situation, developing a strategy and setting plans to carry out the vision are what I do. I offered to help Loyola sort their fundraising approach, then get out of the way. Ironically, the one piece of the puzzle I missed was the possibility they would ask me to lead the effort.
My first response was a polite decline. Leave a steady career in a comfortable Birmingham office for a job I didn’t even know I could do at an inner-city high school? As they say – not on my bingo card.
But the more I reflected, I kept coming back to the Jesuit teaching of “Men and women for others.” The idea that we are called to use our talents to support a greater good. I realized I was having one of those “faith moments” that happen in life. I took the Loyola job because something was telling me that’s where I was supposed to be.
Fast forward to now. It didn’t take a faith moment to draw me to Detroit Cristo Rey. I have witnessed the power that mission-based education has on young people. I see being president of Detroit Cristo Rey as a culmination of my experience helping businesses grow with what it takes to make faith-based schools thrive.
As I immerse myself in my new role, here’s what you can expect from me:
- I love our morning prayer. I will be a part of it as often as my schedule allows.
- I like getting out and meeting new people. Is there a donor, community member or corporate work study partner we should be talking to? Let me know.
- My management style is built around collaboration and making sure those who are closest to the work have their voices heard.
- Dream big. Help us discover how we can get the best use of our resources to have the biggest impact on our students.
- Ayúdame a practicar mi español
The mission-based work we do isn’t always easy. But our students are worth it. Thank you for being on this journey with me and I look forward to ensuring that Detroit Cristo Rey remains a vibrant Beacon of Hope & Opportunity for the young men and women that we serve.
Un Salud–
Bill McGrail
From the President’s Desk:
Mission-Based Work, Faith Moments, Español & How We’re Just Getting Started
Someone asked recently what surprised me most about Detroit Cristo Rey High School since taking over as president at the start of this year.
Two thoughts come to mind. First, I didn’t fully appreciate just how strong of a community bond there is in Southwest Detroit. Whether it is schools, community service providers or businesses — the collective energy and support the community shows for the people who live and work here is extraordinary and I look forward to being part of this incredible community.
The second is the breadth and the depth of the electives, college preparatory, advanced placement and honors courses that Detroit Cristo Rey offers. That’s impressive for a school of our size. What’s also notable is the fact they are full of students who are excelling in the course work. That speaks to the motivation of our dedicated faculty as well as the character of the young people we are so fortunate to serve.
I enjoyed connecting with many of you at our Meet and Greet in February. I want to take this opportunity to tell you a bit more about myself, some things you might not know, and how I like to work.
As some of you heard, I’m a lifetime metro-Detroiter, a supporter of all things Detroit sports, including being an almost 30-year Lion’s season ticket holder, and also a proud alum of University of Detroit Jesuit High School. After graduating from Marquette University in Milwaukee, with a degree in International Business, I spent the next 20 years in corporate business development. My first job took me to Mexico City, where I lived and worked for three years. Si crees que eso significa que hablo español, tienes razón. Pero ha pasado mucho tiempo, así que por favor ten paciencia mientras recupero mi nivel de español.
In 2015, Loyola High School in Detroit was looking for someone who would elevate and expand their fundraising activities. Studying and analyzing a situation, developing a strategy and setting plans to carry out the vision are what I do. I offered to help Loyola sort their fundraising approach, then get out of the way. Ironically, the one piece of the puzzle I missed was the possibility they would ask me to lead the effort.
My first response was a polite decline. Leave a steady career in a comfortable Birmingham office for a job I didn’t even know I could do at an inner-city high school? As they say – not on my bingo card.
But the more I reflected, I kept coming back to the Jesuit teaching of “Men and women for others.” The idea that we are called to use our talents to support a greater good. I realized I was having one of those “faith moments” that happen in life. I took the Loyola job because something was telling me that’s where I was supposed to be.
Fast forward to now. It didn’t take a faith moment to draw me to Detroit Cristo Rey. I have witnessed the power that mission-based education has on young people. I see being president of Detroit Cristo Rey as a culmination of my experience helping businesses grow with what it takes to make faith-based schools thrive.
As I immerse myself in my new role, here’s what you can expect from me:
- I love our morning prayer. I will be a part of it as often as my schedule allows.
- I like getting out and meeting new people. Is there a donor, community member or corporate work study partner we should be talking to? Let me know.
- My management style is built around collaboration and making sure those who are closest to the work have their voices heard.
- Dream big. Help us discover how we can get the best use of our resources to have the biggest impact on our students.
- Ayúdame a practicar mi español
The mission-based work we do isn’t always easy. But our students are worth it. Thank you for being on this journey with me and I look forward to ensuring that Detroit Cristo Rey remains a vibrant Beacon of Hope & Opportunity for the young men and women that we serve.
Un Salud–
Bill McGrail
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Detroit Cristo Rey High School provides an excellent college-preparatory Catholic high school education, in the Cristo Rey model, to students with limited economic resources in Detroit. The school emphasizes faith, morals and service to the community. Through its Corporate Work Study Program, the school fosters skills and attitudes important in the workplace, such as responsibility, determination and respect for self and others.
In the finest tradition of Catholic outreach, we welcome families of all denominations. With a challenging and supportive college preparatory program, we equip students with the core knowledge and competencies needed for college and the workplace. Our ultimate goal is to enable students to gain the skills to be successful in life and the commitment to make a difference in their families, their neighborhoods and the world.
Our Vision
Creating access to and participation in life-changing experiences in faith, academics, professional work, service and personal growth that help Detroit’s youth realize a lifetime of success on their journey to, through and beyond college.
God, grant us the grace to dream wildly, act boldly, and love generously. Teach us goodness, discipline, and knowledge that we may grow in love, faith, and courage. Empower us to take the gifts you have given us out into the world in service to all for your greater glory. Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for us. Cristo Rey, hear our prayer. Amen.
Mission Effectiveness Standards
The Mission Effectiveness Standards articulate the shared mission and identity of the Cristo Rey Network of schools. Taken as a whole, these Standards establish the intent to which schools agree to operate, and by which they can fulfill their mission and empower students to succeed in college and life as productive, faith-filled individuals.
A Cristo Rey School:
Core Educational Beliefs
The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Congregation of St. Basil foster excellence in education by urging commitment to these deeply held beliefs:
