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A photo display in Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School shows the class of 2014 and their career goals. (Edward T. Bowser | ebowser@al.com)
Alabama's education system has long been under fire.
We know the struggles and we've read about the shortcomings - but amid the often-publicized failures, there are success stories.
Those successes can be found in places some may consider unlikely, at the address of 2001 19th Street Ensley.
Yes, Ensley.
Birmingham's Ensley neighborhood unquestionably has its problems with violent crime and poverty, but those headlines cloud the innovations happening daily at Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School.
It's a type of education that's producing strong results, thanks to its unwavering commitment to their students and their community.
"Our mission is to be part of a community, to serve the poor," said Anne Thompson, the school's interim chief executive officer. "Instead of running from challenges, we stay and confront those challenges. We have an important role in community stability."
It's working. Holy Family boasts a 100 percent gradation and college acceptance rate since opening its doors in 2007.
And the students? They're just as remarkable.
Each student I met during a recent visit looked me in my eyes and greeted me with a firm handshake. They were articulate, punctuating every sentence with "yes, sir."
Sure, they're polite but those students are so much more than that - they're confident in who they are. You can tell by their poise, their assurance in meeting new people.
Credit a nurturing environment.
Holy Family is one of 28 Catholic high schools affiliated with the national Cristo Rey Network. It offers a college preparatory curriculum and a work-study program that allows students to help cover tuition. One day a week, students work with one of the school's 90 corporate partners - including UAB Health System, Regions Financial Corporation - to receive real-world work force experience.
Holy Family is a private schools but the foundation for its success - its investments in its community and student body - are lessons that can be applied to both public and private institutions.
The students, the teachers, the faculty - everyone is committed to achievement.
"To maintain this 100% graduation rate, it takes understanding students and their families,"school councilor Pamela Cowan said. "We don't have limits, we open (students) up to what's not familiar so they can see their value. We open the door so they can see their own greatness.
"That means faculty can't run out of the door at 3:20," she added. "It might mean staying until 7 or 8. It might mean opening doors on the weekend. This is what helps the students see their value."
Thanks to Holy Family, RJ sees his value.
Robert "RJ" Jones is an aspiring chef who has been working alongside Frank Stitt of Highlands Bar and Grill. RJ said the experience was invaluable, learning about health codes and standards along with meal preparation.
When I asked what he enjoyed so much about the culinary arts, he said, without flinching: "Cooking allows others to enter your soul through your plate."
That's passion.
"We set a high bar," said David B. Hodges, the school's vice president for external affairs. "If you raise the bar, students will work up to it."
"Just because (students) are from challenged socio-economic backgrounds doesn't mean they're limited to that," Thompson added. "Our job is to move them beyond their circumstances."
And it's working. There's no easy fix for Alabama's schools but while we bicker over leadership, funding and other issues, the one fix that can occur right now is increasing our levels of commitment.
You don't need a budget or a search committee for that.
All you need is a staff working to help their students see their worth. The proof is in Ensley.
Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School's Advisory Council Junior Board meets Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at Cahaba Brewing Company. For more information, contact David Hodges at dhodges@hfcristorey.org