Case
Teaching Notes
Supplementary Resources
Abstract
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Preparatory (CRSM), a school with a unique educational model, has built a culture of accountability and student achievement. Founded in 2004 with a mission of serving “young people of limited economic means,” the school had a rocky start. It was plagued with student failure, high teacher turnover, and a total lack of accountability on the part of both students and teachers. In 2008, a new principal, Michael Odiotti, was hired to turn around the school. During his early years as principal, Mr. Odiotti faced many challenges, including poor academic results, lack of discipline, the threat of bankruptcy, and insufficient employers to support the school’s work-study program. By 2018, the school had overcome some of these obstacles, and its metrics were exemplary. The question CRSM currently faces is how it can bolster a new culture of continuous improvement to avoid complacency while continuing to push accountability to achieve even greater results.
This case was prepared for inclusion in Sage Business Cases primarily as a basis for classroom discussion or self-study, and is not meant to illustrate either effective or ineffective management styles. Nothing herein shall be deemed to be an endorsement of any kind. This case is for scholarly, educational, or personal use only within your university, and cannot be forwarded outside the university or used for other commercial purposes.
2024 Sage Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Resources
Exhibit 1: Old vs. New Facilities
SMdP Exterior
CRSM Exterior
SMdP Hallway
CRSM Hallway
SMdP Classroom
CRSM Classroom
SMdP Assembly
CRSM Assembly
Exhibit 2: CRSM Corporate Work–Study Program
Heading of the image reads “CWSP Jobs.” Number of jobs is plotted along y-axis with a gap of 20. Years are plotted along the x-axis with a gap of 1 year. Information from the graph is given as a table below:
Year | Number of jobs in CWSP | ||
Actual | 90% Paying Goal | Total jobs | |
‘04–‘05 | 19 | 21 | 24 |
‘05–‘06 | 32 | 32 | 35 |
‘06–‘07 | 39 | 39 | 43 |
‘07–‘08 | 42 | 50 | 55 |
‘08–‘09 | 47 | 52 | 57 |
‘09–‘10 | 37 | 52 | 58 |
‘10–‘11 | 41 | 54 | 60 |
‘11–‘12 | 39 | 54 | 61 |
‘12–‘13 | 47 | 65 | 72 |
‘13–‘14 | 64 | 74 | 83 |
‘14–‘15 | 78 | 82 | 91 |
‘15–‘16 | 84 | 88 | 98 |
‘16–‘17 | 87 | 91 | 101 |
‘17–‘18 | 87 | 91 | 101 |
Source: Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
Exhibit 3: College Enrollment Rate
Heading of the graph reads “% of graduates who enrolled in a 4-year college or university.” Percentage of enrollment of students is plotted along the y-axis and the years are plotted along the x axis. Values from the graph are given in the table below:
Year | Enrollment of students in universities (%) |
‘07–‘08 | 23 |
‘08–‘09 | 31 |
‘09–‘10 | 26 |
‘10–‘11 | 55 |
‘11–‘12 | 58 |
‘12–‘13 | 63 |
‘13–‘14 | 63 |
‘14–‘15 | 64 |
‘15–‘16 | 74 |
‘16–‘17 | 82 |
Source: Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
Exhibit 4: CRSM College Completion Rates
Percentage of students completing the course is plotted in y-axis and the years are plotted along the x-axis. The information from the graph is given as a table below:
Years | Percentage of AA completion (%) | Percentage of BA/BS completion (%) |
Class of ‘08 | 14 | 17 |
Class of ‘09 | 7 | 22 |
Class of ‘10 | 3 | 23 |
Class of ‘11 | 3 | 41 |
Class of ‘12 | 7 | 44 |
Class of ‘13 | 7 | 58 |
Source: Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
Exhibit 5: CRSM AP Data
Heading of the graph reads “Total Number of AP tests scoring 3+”. Number of students is plotted along the y-axis and the years are plotted along the x axis. Information from the graph is given as a table below:
Years | Number of students scoring 3+ in AP tests |
‘10 | 14 |
‘11 | 27 |
‘12 | 15 |
‘13 | 29 |
‘14 | 24 |
‘15 | 22 |
‘16 | 78 |
‘17 | 86 |
Source: Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep.
This case was prepared for inclusion in Sage Business Cases primarily as a basis for classroom discussion or self-study, and is not meant to illustrate either effective or ineffective management styles. Nothing herein shall be deemed to be an endorsement of any kind. This case is for scholarly, educational, or personal use only within your university, and cannot be forwarded outside the university or used for other commercial purposes.
2024 Sage Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved