More than 100 Omaha students returned to high school Monday. The early trip back to school was part of a first-of-its-kind program in Nebraska and Iowa.

Jim Pogge, director of the Cristo Rey work/study program, told students, "This is the first day of opportunities for you to learn and grow. These next three weeks will form everything you do in your school life, work life and your personal life."

It's boot camp, Cristo Rey style.

Father James Keiter says, "The students have to experience success."

Fr. Keiter, president of St. Peter Claver in South Omaha says, "It was three years ago this week I was asked to meet for coffee at McDonald's."

That meeting focused on the success of a pilot school in Chicago. It has kept those most likely to drop out of high school from doing so -- children of low-income families.

It's not just math and language taught there but life skills -- everything from tying a tie to phone etiquette.

Business skills are needed since every freshman will be working a real job this school year. For every four days, they'll be in class for three of them and on-the-job on day four. It's mostly clerical work with Omaha insurance companies, law firms, banks, hospitals. They are real jobs for real money and a lot of responsibility.

The companies will pay $21,500 a year for four students. That money will go toward tuition.

The boot camp runs for three weeks. Then school and work begins at the Catholic high school