Laserfiche WebLink
CUP No. 2025-22 – Cristo Rey School (3601 S. Harbor Boulevard, Unit 200 and 3611 S. <br />Harbor Boulevard) <br />November 10, 2025 <br />Page 5 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />college preparatory academics with continuous professional work experience that funds <br />nearly half of the cost of a student’s education. The Network is composed of 40 high <br />schools delivering a career focused, college preparatory education in the Catholic <br />tradition for students with limited economic resources. Cristo Rey Schools’ mission is to <br />serve those who would otherwise be unable to access this type of education. Each high <br />school is independently owned, operated, and funded. Moreover, membership in the <br />Cristo Rey Network is voluntary. <br /> <br />Unlike a traditional secondary school, Cristo Rey offers a professional work experience <br />program, referred to as the Corporate Work Study program (CWS). The program <br />accounts for a minimum of one-quarter (25%) of the Cristo Rey curriculum. The CWS <br />enables students to gain hands-on job experience at over 100 participating professional <br />offices in Orange County and is subject to permitting requirements of the Department of <br />Labor (DOL). There are 41 Cristo Rey schools nationwide utilizing this professional <br />partnership model that is intended to empower students of limited economic resources to <br />college and career success, with the nearest schools located in Los Angeles and San <br />Diego. In addition to providing valuable experience, the CWS allows Cristo Rey to fulfill <br />its mandate of serving students of limited economic means (average household income <br />of $51,400 for a family of five) with monies earned from the CWS offsetting operational <br />costs (in lieu of tuition). To facilitate the CWS, Cristo Rey employs students through an <br />affiliated 501(c)(3), tracks work hours and compensation, and files reports with the DOL. <br /> <br />Project Analysis <br />CUP requests are governed by Section 41-638 of the SAMC. CUPs may be granted when <br />it can be shown that the proposed project will not adversely impact the community. If <br />these findings can be made, then it is appropriate to grant the CUP. Conversely, the <br />inability to make these findings would result in a denial. The purpose of regulating <br />professional schools is to ensure that operation practices and procedures are <br />implemented in a manner that would minimize impacts to surrounding areas. Staff has <br />reviewed the Applicant’s request to establish a professional school at the subject site and <br />has determined that it provides a valuable service contributing to community well-being. <br />Moreover, the proposed use will not harm health, safety, or welfare of nearby residents <br />or workers, complies with Chapter 41 regulations, supports economic stability, and aligns <br />with the City’s General Plan. This conclusion is further supported by a Health Risk <br />Assessment (Exhibit 8), which found that emissions from permitted and non-permitted <br />sources within 1,000 feet of the site would not endanger students or staff, thereby <br />eliminating the need for mitigation measures. Staff provides additional analysis below. <br /> <br />Proposed School Operations <br /> <br />The proposed school operations represent a professional educational and employment- <br />based training program. A significant portion of the program occurs off-campus in <br />professional workplaces, under a federally regulated work-study arrangement, and <br />involves employer oversight and compensation mechanisms that are not characteristic of <br />a traditional secondary educational facility. While Cristo Rey provides academic <br />instruction consistent with secondary education standards, the integral and regulated <br />