It is the founding school of the Cristo Rey Network[2] and is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.

[5] Richard R. Murray developed the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP) in 1995 for Cristo Rey Chicago.

The work-study program combines employee leasing and job sharing, giving students the means of financing a private high school education.

[2][7] The goal is for students to acquire job experience and marketable skills, develop a network of business contacts, gain exposure to a wide variety of career opportunities, and improve in their work ethic and self-esteem.

[8] Incorporated as the Cristo Rey Work Study Program, Inc., the CWSP allows each student to earn up to 65% of the cost of their education.