Photo courtesy of Julie Mietus When Cristo Rey High School opened its doors four years ago, it embarked on a unique program – and with a unique request to the community. Cristo Rey recruited students of limited financial means who had a goal of attending college. Beyond that goal, the students agreed to embrace an innovative work-study program that would help pay for private Catholic high school education that would have been difficult, if not impossible, for their families to afford. Among the key ingredients, of course, were the organizations that would partner with Cristo Rey and put the school’s students to work as part of the work-study program. On June 2, 53 of the school’s first

 The first group of students who completed all four years at Cristo Rey High School graduated Tuesday. Purple and white was the color of the day as 53 students crossed the stage of St. Ignatius' hall, family and friends looking on with pride. Many students will attend prestigious schools, including the University of San Francisco, St. Mary’s and Loyola universities in Chicago. The Cristo Rey High School, which started in 1996 in Chicago and established a Sacramento facility in 2006, is known for accepting students from lower-income families. The school provides employment programs, which pay for up to half of students' tuition, and financial aid.  Through their jobs, students acquire sk