Posted January 29, 2016 in Press Releases
Cleveland, OH- January 29, 2016 – Saint Martin de Porres High School will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, February 6th at 10 o’clock in the morning as they begin construction on a $26 million investment in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood.
Saint Martin has served nearly 1,000 students in the former St. Vitus Parish school building on East 61stand St. Clair for the last decade. With an average household income of $26,000, over 80 percent of Saint Martin students are the first in their family to attend college. Despite their economic challenges, 100 percent of Saint Martin’s 586 alumni have been accepted into colleges. 88 percent of Saint Martin graduates directly enroll into college, which is 13 percent higher than the national average, and Saint Martin students are earning bachelor’s degrees at a rate six times their peers.
Saint Martin’s three-story building will connect to the historical building located at Norwood Avenue and St. Clair Avenue. The new building includes a first-floor commons, multi-use labs, and modern flexible classroom spaces that will allow teachers to implement a variety of pedagogical strategies to meet each student’s unique needs. “We are building a space that communicates love, respect, and hope for our students and the community,” said Rich Clark, Saint Martin’s founding President.
About Saint Martin de Porres High School
Founded in 2003, Saint Martin de Porres High School is a member of the Cristo Rey Network. Saint Martin currently serves 401 young men and women from economically disadvantaged families of Cleveland. Saint Martin delivers a distinctive approach to education that equips students with the knowledge, character, and skills to transform their lives. From freshman year, Saint Martin establishes a culture of high-expectations by blending rigorous academics, four years of professional work experience, Catholic values, and support for students to and through college. The school’s alumni base is nearly 600 men and women, many of whom were the first in their families to attend or graduate from post-secondary education.
About the Cristo Rey Network
The Cristo Rey Network comprises 30 Catholic, college preparatory high schools for underrepresented urban youth across the United States. Through rigorous academics, coupled with real world work experience, Cristo Rey students graduate high school prepared for success in college and in life.
