Photos

Cristo Rey St. Martin High School converts Kmart into state-of-the-art space

A student walks to the front door of Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep's new location in Waukegan on Feb. 13, 2018. It was the first day of classes in a repurposed former Kmart store. The renovated 53,000 square-foot building feature 18 classrooms, three science laboratories, administrative offices, a cafeteria and a library commons area. The school is part of the Chicago-based Cristo Rey Network that serves low-income communities around the country. Students participate in a work-study program at area corporations during school hours gaining valuable experience and earning part of their tuition.
A student walks to the front door of Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep's new location in Waukegan on Feb. 13. It was the first day of classes in a repurposed former Kmart store. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A student smiles as he watches a monitor during an assembly at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep's new location in Waukegan on Feb. 13. It was the first day of classes in a repurposed former Kmart store. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students, teachers and staff watch monitors during an assembly on the first day of class in their new school building. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students react to information displayed on monitors during the assembly. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
President Preston Kendall addresses students during an assembly on Feb. 13. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students watch monitors and clap during the morning assembly. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
President Preston Kendall addresses the students during the assembly. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students listen during an assembly in the new school. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, speaks with Auxiliary Bishop George Rassas in one of the school's common areas. Bishop Rassas founded the school in 2004. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Students put their bags in their new lockers. The building is painted inside and outside in the school colors of green and blue. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Teacher Stefanie Goy gives out locker combinations to students. (Karen Callway/Chicago Catholic)
Students make their way to the new classrooms. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Oswaldo Bahena high-fives teacher Elizabeth Partenach as Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan began classes at its new location. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A student examines her new ID card. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Theology teacher John Dragicevich holds up his ID card during class. (Karen Callway/Chicago Catholic)
Students listen to a teacher during class. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
A student examines his ID card before class begins. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
The repurposed Kmart store is painted in the school's colors. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

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