President's Message
Embedded Files
Hello,
Hello,
Welcome to Cristo Rey Charleston High School's website! I'm so glad you're here!
I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the greater Charleston community as the Founding President and CEO of Cristo Rey Charleston High School (CRCHS). As a graduate of Berkeley County School District, who began her working career at McDonald's in Moncks Corner, I am honored to return "home" and use my talents to help guide the next generation of leaders in our region.
CRCHS is a college preparatory, Catholic high school, open to students of all faiths. Our mission is to educate young people from underserved communities, helping them to become individuals of faith, purpose, and service.
CRCHS is a college preparatory, Catholic high school, open to students of all faiths. Our mission is to educate young people from underserved communities, helping them to become individuals of faith, purpose, and service.
As the 42nd Cristo Rey High School in the United States, we are excited to welcome our first class in August 2027 and the impact our students will have in Charleston and beyond.
At full capacity, CRCHS will serve approximately 400 students in grades 9-12 from across the tri-county area. A key component of our program is the Corporate Work Study Program, where every student works one day a week for all four years. This program is supported by our corporate partners, who will substantially offset the cost of our private, faith-based, college preparatory education.
For nearly a year, dedicated volunteers from the Charleston area explored the need for a Cristo Rey school and assessed the capacity of local businesses and philanthropic organizations to support the school’s long-term success. The answer was a resounding YES! Following approval from the Cristo Rey national office, I was appointed to lead the team on March 1, 2025.
I'm currently seeking mission-driven, innovative, collaborative, student-focused, and community-centered individuals to join our Founding Leadership Team as our principal, advancement director, finance and operations director, recruitment director, and VP of Corporate Work Student Program. We need team members who are excited about building new processes, systems, and tools, and who can troubleshoot to improve them. We seek those who will lead collaboratively and with an entrepreneurial spirit. As a Catholic high school, we need people who understand and embrace the mission of CRCHS. People of all faiths are encouraged to apply!
Students, parents and families, Cristo Rey Charleston High School has everything your scholar needs for success.
The business community has pledged enough jobs to support our incoming freshman class, and donors have contributed nearly $9 million to support the renovation of the school and its operating costs. Metanoia, one of our exceptional community partners, provided the building that will house our school, the former Chicora Elementary School.
We are actively raising additional funds to complete the renovation and equip the facility with the state-of-the-art resources our students deserve! We are grateful for those who continue to give relentlessly towards our success.
Parents, thank you for allowing us to partner with you in providing a quality education for your students.
Corporate partners and donors, thank you for investing in the future leaders of our communities.
Students, thank you for your desire for a quality education and for giving us the opportunity to help you achieve future success.
With God's help, there's nothing we cannot achieve together!
Shenita B. Vanish
Founding President & CEO
svanish@cristoreycharleston.org
Page updated
Report abuse