A high school that gives financially strapped students a private education and real-world work experience is growing. And to make room, the school is moving to a larger location.

St. Peter Claver’s Cristo Rey High School will move into the old Lithia Ford dealership at 51st and L. They are currently housed in the former St. Mary’s elementary school building at 36th and Q.

All of the students at the school spend one day a week working mostly off-site in the corporate world as part of a work study program. The jobs give the students actual work experience and help pay for their tuition.

The new facility will give the school the additional classroom and parking space it needs as it continues to expand. The school, which is in its third year, currently has 187 students. School president Father Jim Keiter says eventually they would like to have an enrollment of 500 students.

The main building at the site will house classrooms, offices and a cafeteria. The former parts warehouse towards the rear of the property will become and sports practice facility and activities building.

"Our most immediate needs are classroom space, office space, and parking space,” says Father Jim Keiter. “And that new campus gives us that. And being able to use that middle building, if you will, for a field house, for activity space, allows us to at least have a place for our kids to practice."

The school has already purchased the former Ford dealership. Father Keiter hopes that actual renovation will begin in two to three months, and the school can begin moving in sometime next school year.

The total price of the move is about $8.2 million. If you would like to donate towards the project, you can contact the school at (402) 734-1802.