Some may think that Cristo Rey St. Martin naturally draws students and families from the northern Lake County community due to its strong reputation, but our admissions team works year-round to promote the school and engage with potential applicants. Admissions Coordinator Daniel Arizmendi and Director of Admissions Noemi Cuesta, along with a dedicated team of staff and student ambassador volunteers, attend local parades, school fairs, community events, and more to highlight CRSM’s mission—helping students prepare for college, the workforce, and lives grounded in faith and justice.
The 2025/26 school year is shaping up to be another busy one for our admissions team. Last semester, they conducted 94 early admissions interviews, and this year’s recruitment efforts are far from over. Currently, we have 247 applications, with an expectation of around 300 by the end of the school year. We’re looking to admit 108 students, a slight increase from the usual 105.
Our admissions strategy includes attending local soccer tournaments, open houses at middle schools, and high school fairs to connect with prospective students. We collaborate with organizations like Heart of the City and work with various athletics programs to draw more students into our community. From posting flyers in local grocery stores and restaurants to leveraging social media and placing ads in local papers like Puro Futbol, our admissions team utilizes a wide range of outreach methods. However, the most impactful method remains face-to-face interaction, as talking directly with families, whether at events or during open houses, proves to be the most effective way to connect.
This is the first year CRSM has fully implemented Finalsite, an online platform where parents can easily submit applications and upload documents. Although some parents are still adapting to the technology, it’s been a successful transition, helping streamline the admissions process.
CRSM’s admissions process goes beyond mere applications, though. We carefully filter students based on academics, attendance, discipline, and financial needs to ensure we’re serving families who can benefit most from our mission. Despite some challenges, like overcoming the perception that we’re too expensive or navigating language barriers, the commitment to engaging with families continues to drive our admissions success. Whether it’s through religious education classes at Most Blessed Trinity, block parties in Park City, or summer open houses, our team remains dedicated to spreading the word about CRSM and ensuring that we’re bringing in students who will thrive here.
As January 27 approaches, early admission candidates eagerly await their results. Meanwhile, the admissions team continues working hard, preparing for two more rounds of interviews and readying for the onboarding of 100+ new freshmen next fall.