Step into Michael Gotta’s classroom and you’ll often hear him talk about matter – but not just the kind on the periodic table.
“You matter,” he tells students. “You have a purpose. You have skills and gifts and talents.”
As the school’s lead science teacher, Gotta knows those lessons can last far longer than anything learned in a lab.
Welcome to Cristo Rey Fort Worth (CRFW) College Preparatory, a place where education goes beyond academics to prepare students for college, careers and life. It’s a place Regions Bank is proud to serve in more ways than one. But first, let’s look at what sets Cristo Rey apart.
How this Work-Study Program is Helping Students Chart their Path to Success
Cristo Rey Fort Worth proudly calls itself “The School that Works.”
That work ethic extends far beyond students applying themselves in class or while tackling homework. The Fort Worth school is one of nearly 40 Cristo Rey campuses nationwide with a Corporate Work Study Program providing professional experience allowing students whose families face economic challenges to prepare for and help fund their future.
Cristo Rey Fort Worth is delivering impressive results:
- A 100 percent acceptance rate to four-year colleges and universities. Ninety-six percent of those graduates are first-generation college students.
- Students earn over $2 million annually through the Corporate Work Study Program to cover the cost of tuition.
- Graduates were awarded more than $80 million in scholarships and financial aid from 2022-2025.
- 50 percent of students and alumni earn a full-ride college scholarship
- Graduates have a 95 percent college persistence rate (returning to campus for their second year), significantly outperforming their peers.
One Cristo Rey Student’s Journey: Meet Luciana
Luciana Angarita is one of those students realizing that success. Right now, the CRFW senior enrolled in Gotta’s AP biology class is working at a manufacturing plant for vision care solutions as she explores three colleges to study engineering.
Angarita is grateful for the school’s supportive environment encouraging her to pursue her professional aspirations and empowering her to thrive – academically and personally.
“With a community, a person is built up; with community, you are raised – you are raised because of a community,” she said.
Regions Bank is proud to be part of building that community at Cristo Rey Fort Worth’s campus and for its students and teachers.
With a community, a person is built up; with community, you are raised – you are raised because of a community,” she said.Luciana, Cristo Rey student
STEAM Expansion Supporting Student Growth
With investment support from Regions Bank’s New Markets Tax Credit team and Capital Impact Partners providing the NMTC collaboration, Cristo Rey Fort Worth cut the ribbon on a STEAM expansion in late 2025, adding:
- 12 new classrooms and laboratories
- State-of-the-art lab equipment
- Increased natural light and modern learning spaces
- Capacity to serve 100 additional students
“Regions stepped in when we were at a time of not just needing more space, but needing better spaces for our students, and said, ‘Let us help you do that,’” said Dani Ray Barton, CRFW president.
The new STEAM conference room and labs offer an added benefit not appearing in any blueprints.
“It made me feel really proud to see that we have support and we have companies that are looking out for us,” said Angarita.
Doing More to Help Students Achieve More
Along with the STEAM Center investment, the Regions team in Fort Worth presented CRFW with a $22,000 donation in late 2025.
Commercial Banking relationship manager Kyle Sederstrom also volunteers his time as a CRFW board member, leading the school’s Corporate Work Study Jobs Committee. Sederstrom credits Regions’ commitment to supporting nonprofits and schools like Cristo Rey as a key reason he joined the bank back in 2021.
“We live and breathe our mission of giving back to the community,” said Sederstrom.
Something Barton has repeatedly observed.
“We’re very grateful for Regions’ involvement and their continued support – not just with the STEAM Center but being an advocate here in the community in Fort Worth,” she said.
A Culture Where Students Thrive
Walking through the halls of Cristo Rey Fort Worth, there’s no denying it – students and teachers matter here.
“It’s given me so much love,” said Angarita of the school. “I think the important part about Cristo Rey is that everyone is connected somehow.”
Added Gotta, “I love that opportunity of getting to work with the students every day, of getting the opportunity to work with awesome people who care about the students in the same way I do.”