© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Show 1415

Richard F. Clark
President, St. Martin de Porres High School

In 2003, Mr. Clark left Saint Ignatius High School to begin a new high school in Cleveland. The mission of Saint Martin de Porres High School is to provide a first rate college preparatory, Catholic high school experience to those students who in no other way would have access to such an education. In August of 2004, 104 ninth graders began their education at the new high school. The school started with a Freshmen class in 2004. In 2008, the first graduating class of Saint Martin de Porres High School emerged. The school continues to grow with projected enrollment to reach 500 students in the near future.

Saint Martin’s is part of a national network of schools which provide this quality education through a unique work study program which places students at real, entry level office jobs for a fee, acting as an employment agency. Each student works five days a month in teams of four. Each team earns $25,000 which is paid to the school and supports 70% of the school’s operation. This year’s student body is composed of 65% African American, 25% white, and 10% Latino students. It is a co-ed school. The average family size is 4 and the average family income is $25,500 with 90% of the student body qualifying for free or reduced lunch.