PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Supporters have announced plans to open an unusual private Catholic high school in North Philadelphia next fall (see previous story).

The concept for the Cristo Rey High School is this: students go to class four days a week, then spend the fifth day working at a local business.

Cristo Rey Philadelphia president John McConnell (fourth from left in photo) says the school, to be opened at Broad and Duncannon Streets, will only admit students who cannot afford to go to any other private high school.

“They work in real jobs for real wages,” McConnell explains.  “And the wages that they earn come back to the school to pay for their education.  That way we don’t need to charge the parents very much money to come to the school.”

McConnell says 325 students have applied to be part of the initial ninth grade class of 125.

Thirty jobs have been lined up for students, including five at Comcast Corporation and one in the mayor’s office.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio 1060