Fr. Joseph P. Parkes, S.J., President, Cristo Rey New York High School

“To and through” college graduation! This is the goal at Cristo Rey New York High School (CRNYHS). To ensure that graduates receive two diplomas – high school and college – Cristo Rey offers a Graduate Support Program. Through this Program, the School provides direct support to its graduates and seeks to build a community where the students feel comfortable to return to CRNYHS for help with classes, social transitions, and any other issues they face during college.

Yasi Mahallaty, the Director of Graduate Support Program, works closely with the Cristo Rey graduates.  Her role is to help these students achieve college success. She visits them on campuses, assists with financial aid questions, and checks in with them regularly. This year, Yasi has visited 78% of the class of 2015 (93 students) with hopes of reaching 100% by the end of the spring. Through Yasi’s work and the tenacity of our students, 99% of the class of 2015 has matriculated in a four-year college, with an additional 363 alums enrolled in four-year institutions. The Graduate Support Program has become an integral part of the Cristo Rey experience and is allowing the school to fulfill its ultimate goal of “to and through!”