Is Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School a Catholic high school?

Yes. Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama.

Catholic high school

Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School

LocationBirmingham, AL
Type and sizeIndependent Catholic school · Grades 9–12 · 156 students

Cristo Rey Birmingham (formerly Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School) is an independent Catholic high school in Birmingham, Alabama, endorsed by the Passionists of Holy Cross Province. Its Mission & Ministry Office lists a director and a Passionist chaplain, and the school calendar lists an all-school Mass each month in fall 2026. Students are required to complete 40 Christian service hours over four years and take religion each year.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church — 0.3 mi
Saint George the Great Melkite Greek Catholic Church — 0.7 mi · 425 16th Avenue South, Birmingham
Saint Elias Maronite Church — 0.9 mi · 836 8th Street South, Birmingham
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church — 1.5 mi · 1460 Pearson Avenue Southwest, Birmingham
Saint Stephen the Martyr Catholic University Chapel — 1.6 mi · 1515 12th Avenue South, Birmingham
Saint Margarets Catholic Church — 1.8 mi

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Faith scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

N/A

Sacramental life

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

Partly:
All-school or class Masses during the school yearMonthly (The school calendar lists an all-school Mass on October 13, November 2 and December 8, 2026, one in each month.)
Sources (2)
1. Events Calendar | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/events · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “All School Mass 8:15 AM–9:15 AM”
  An all-school Mass is on the school calendar for October 13, 2026.
  “Mass: All Saints/Día de los Muertos 8:15 AM–9:15 AM”
  A Mass is on the school calendar for November 2, 2026.
  “All-School Mass: Immaculate Conception 8:15 AM–9:15 AM”
  An all-school Mass is on the school calendar for December 8, 2026.
2. About Cristo Rey Birmingham | Our Mission & Storycristoreybhm.org/about · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. (second from left) and Fr. Phil Paxton, C.P. (second from right) regularly celebrate Mass with our students”
  Passionist priests regularly celebrate Mass with students.
Not enough information:
Daily Mass available to students on campusNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Confession offered to students during the school yearNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Eucharistic adoration offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Priest chaplain serving the schoolYes (Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. is listed as the chaplain.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. Chaplain frhugo@cristoreybhm.org”
  Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. is the school's chaplain.

Theology and curriculum

100 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Years of theology or religion requiredFour years (The graduation table lists Religious Education at 4 credits. English is 4 credits for four years; a year course is 1 credit and the requirement is four years. Religion 9, 10, 11 and 12 are listed.)
Sources (1)
1. Academics | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Religious Education 4 Electives 3”
  The graduation table lists 4 credits of Religious Education.
  “Religion Courses Religion 9 Religion 10 Religion 11 Religion 12”
  Religion courses are offered in each of grades 9 through 12.
Not enough information:
Theology courses follow the USCCB Curriculum FrameworkNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Philosophy, apologetics, or ethics course offeredNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Faith integrated across the curriculum (stated in the program of studies or mission)Yes (The academics page says Catholic social teaching is integrated into coursework across all grade levels and subjects.)
Sources (1)
1. Academics | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Across all grade levels and all subjects, we integrate the principles of Catholic social teaching into coursework”
  Catholic social teaching is integrated into coursework across all grades and subjects.

Campus culture

90 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
RetreatsA retreat for every grade (Retreats are planned for students at each grade level.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “These retreats are planned and executed by the Ministry and Mission team for students at each grade level.”
  The school plans retreats for students at each grade level.
Yes:
Campus ministry staffTwo or more (Two ministry staff are listed: the Director of Ministry & Mission and the chaplain.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Mr. Daniel McCormick Director, Ministry & Mission dmccormick@cristoreybhm.org”
  Daniel McCormick is the Director of Ministry & Mission.
  “Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. Chaplain frhugo@cristoreybhm.org”
  Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. is the school's chaplain.
Partly:
Faith-based student groups or clubsOne (One voluntary sacramental preparation group (Journey with Christ) is listed. Small Groups are a school-wide program and are not counted as a club.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Participation is always voluntary and driven by student interest in the Catholic faith.”
  The Journey with Christ sacramental preparation group is voluntary.
  “The group meets biweekly and is led by the Director of Ministry and Mission in collaboration with the religion department chairperson.”
  The Journey with Christ group meets every two weeks.
Yes:
Daily prayer and liturgical life built into the school dayYes (The Mission & Ministry page describes daily and weekly opportunities for prayer and worship.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Faith in Action: Students have daily & weekly opportunities for prayer, reflection, and worship experiences that honor our community's cultural and religious diversity”
  Students have daily and weekly opportunities for prayer and worship.

N/A

Service and Catholic social teaching

Not enough information: official sources cover less than 60% of this area.

Yes:
Required service hours40 or more hours over four years (Each student must complete an average of 10 service hours a year, for a total of 40 hours over four years, to graduate.)
Sources (2)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “each Cristo Rey student is required to complete an average of ten (10) Christian service hours per year, for a total of forty (40) hours over four years, in order to graduate.”
  Students must complete 40 Christian service hours over four years to graduate.
2. Academics | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Community Service 40 hours”
  The graduation table requires 40 hours of community service.
Not enough information:
Catholic social teaching taught in theology coursesNot enough information: not found in official sources.
Not enough information:
Pro-life engagement (club, March for Life, or similar)Not enough information: not found in official sources.
Yes:
Justice and solidarity programs (immersions, service trips, justice clubs)Yes (The Christian Service Program organizes advocacy events on social justice.)
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Advocacy events are also organized, aligning with the school’s commitment to social justice.”
  The service program organizes advocacy events on social justice.

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

A priest, Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P., is listed as the school's chaplain.
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. Chaplain frhugo@cristoreybhm.org”
  Fr. Hugo Esparza, C.P. is the school's chaplain.
Students must complete 40 service hours over four years, and four years of religion are required.
Sources (2)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “each Cristo Rey student is required to complete an average of ten (10) Christian service hours per year, for a total of forty (40) hours over four years, in order to graduate.”
  Students must complete 40 Christian service hours over four years to graduate.
2. Academics | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/academics · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “Religious Education 4 Electives 3”
  The graduation table lists 4 credits of Religious Education.
Retreats are planned for students at each grade level.
Sources (1)
1. Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
  “These retreats are planned and executed by the Ministry and Mission team for students at each grade level.”
  The school plans retreats for students at each grade level.

Concerns

None recorded.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

Campus ministry home

Mission & Ministry Office, Cristo Rey Birmingham

Address: 1832 Center Way South, Birmingham, AL 35205
Location: On campus

View on map ↗

Source: cristoreybhm.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026, cristoreybhm.org, verified Oct. 13, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 0 off campus, 5 location not published

Faith formation 2

Small Groups
Bi-weekly
School-wide faith-focused small groups led by trained faculty and staff. Students are placed in a group in freshman year and stay with it through all four years.
cristoreybhm.org
Journey with Christ
Biweekly
Voluntary group for students interested in being baptized, confirmed or receiving first Holy Communion, led by the Director of Ministry and Mission with the religion department chairperson.
cristoreybhm.org, cristoreybhm.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

All-School Mass
October 13, November 2 and December 8, 2026, 8:15 to 9:15 AM (school calendar)
All-school Masses on the school calendar. Passionist priests regularly celebrate Mass with students.
cristoreybhm.org, cristoreybhm.org, cristoreybhm.org, cristoreybhm.org

Retreats 1

Student Retreats
Retreats planned by the Ministry and Mission team for students at each grade level.
cristoreybhm.org

Service 1

Christian Service Program
Service with Cristo Rey Partners in Mission, planned by the Ministry and Mission team. Students complete 40 service hours over four years, and advocacy events on social justice are organized.
cristoreybhm.org, cristoreybhm.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Campus ministry

Mission & Ministry Office

Sources (1)

Campus Ministry | Cristo Rey Birminghamcristoreybhm.org/campus-ministry · verified Oct. 13, 2026
“Faith in Action: Students have daily & weekly opportunities for prayer, reflection, and worship experiences that honor our community's cultural and religious diversity”
Students have daily and weekly opportunities for prayer and worship.
“the purpose of our Mission & Ministry Office is to create a place of belonging”
The Mission & Ministry Office states its purpose as creating a place of belonging for students.
“Physical Address 1832 Center Way South Birmingham, AL 35205”
The school's physical address is 1832 Center Way South, Birmingham, AL 35205.
“the purpose of our Mission & Ministry Office is to create a place of belonging”
The Mission & Ministry Office states its purpose as creating a place of belonging for students.

Reach out

Contact details for Mr. Daniel McCormick (Director, Ministry & Mission) and 5 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

75 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduates going to four-year colleges 75% of score87%
Students per teacher 25% of score8.5 to 1

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed. Federal data on private high schools is limited to these two measures.

Source: NCES Private School Survey (2023–24 school year)

School facts

Type	Independent Catholic school
Diocese	Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama, AL
Grades	9–12
Students (all grades)	156
Students in grades 9–12	156
Coed or single-sex	Coed
Student–teacher ratio	8.5 to 1
Graduates going to 4-year colleges	87%
Setting	City

Source: NCES Private School Survey 23-24 public-use file (school year 2023–24). The college-going rate and student–teacher ratio feed Academic Excellence; nothing here changes the faith grades.

Your state may help pay for this school

Alabama has 2 programs that help families pay private school tuition. Ask the school whether it takes part.

Education savings accountCHOOSE Act education savings accountsAlabama families with income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (new families for 2026-27; all families from 2027-28).Official page, amounts and how to apply
Tax-credit scholarshipAlabama Accountability Act scholarship tax creditLower-income Alabama students who attend a participating private school; families receive scholarships from approved scholarship granting organizations.Official page, amounts and how to apply

Not tax, legal or financial advice. More about each state’s programs at our sister site, ChooseAPrivateSchool.com.

Local Church

Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama

The Most Reverend Steven J. Raica, Bishop of Birmingham in Alabama

Formal address: “Your Excellency”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

About this school’s data

NCES school ID 00000237
1832 Center Way S, Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 787-9437
Report an error or a newer source
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Questions families ask

Is Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School a Catholic high school?: Yes. Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School is a Catholic high school in the Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama.

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