Cristo Rey Fort Worth
Cristo Rey Fort Worth has never been the kind of school to sit still. Nestled along Altamesa Boulevard, the college prep campus has spent the past six years rewriting what a small, mission-driven high school can accomplish in a city where nearly one in five students grows up in poverty. Now, with the unveiling of a $5.1 million STEAM Center, the school is making a bold statement: opportunity, creativity, and determination can reshape futures.
The new facility stretches across the south side of campus, adding 12 classrooms, a black box theatre, and a suite of state-of-the-art science labs. Designed by Javier Lucio of RPGA Design Group and constructed beginning in March 2025, the center is built for hands-on learning — from engineering prototypes to conducting experiments, from coding workshops to theatrical productions. Every corner of the building is intended to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Cristo Rey’s approach has always been innovative. Students follow a rigorous college preparatory curriculum while gaining professional experience through the nationally recognized Corporate Work Study Program. That combination of academics and real-world work equips students with skills, connections, and confidence to pursue college and career pathways that might otherwise feel out of reach. The STEAM Center extends that philosophy to science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics — preparing students for the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century.
So far, enrollment has climbed roughly 15 percent each year, reaching 300 students, and more than 140 alumni are now enrolled at universities across the country, according to a release. Within the next three years, Cristo Rey anticipates serving over 400 students. The STEAM Center ensures that expansion is met with the space, inspiration, and tools students need to thrive. For families and students who have faced systemic barriers, this isn’t just a new building — it’s a tangible sign of possibility.
For Christina Jimenez, Cristo Rey Fort Worth’s Director of College Initiatives, the STEAM Center embodies everything the school strives for. “The STEAM Center is a symbol of what’s possible when faith, determination, and opportunity come together,” she said in a statement. “Our students are dreaming bigger, working harder, and achieving more than ever before.”
Inside the classrooms and labs, students are discovering new passions and talents. The black box theatre hosts performances that blend creativity and collaboration. The science labs invite experiments that merge imagination with technical rigor. And beyond the classroom, students’ corporate work placements reinforce lessons in responsibility, professionalism, and perseverance.
The opening of the STEAM Center isn’t simply a celebration of architecture and design. It’s a testament to what happens when faith, hard work, and opportunity intersect. It signals a commitment to breaking cycles of poverty and expanding horizons — not just for today’s students, but for generations to come.
“This isn’t just a building — it’s a promise to our students,” said Dani Ray Barton, President of Cristo Rey Fort Worth. “Every new lab and creative space brings our students closer to achieving their dreams through education, experience, and faith.”
