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Tucked into a renovated two-story building at the edge of Brophy College Prep is a tuition-free middle school for boys from across Maricopa County.

Loyola Academy opened in 2011 to prepare boys from underprivileged families for Brophy College Prep, a nationally recognized private Jesuit high school in central Phoenix.

For Nelson Martinez De Los Santos who was part of the founding class of sixth-graders, it was an opportunity of a lifetime.

Now a freshman at College of the Holy Cross in Boston, Martinez De Los Santos said he spent 40 minutes each day commuting to Loyola. The 10-hour school day and 11-month school year propels students forward academically and socially. Once they complete middle school, the boys earn a full-ride scholarship to Brophy, which is about $15,000 annually.

鈥淚 still remember like it was yesterday,鈥� said De Los Santos. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a unique experience. It鈥檚 a paradise, they really take care of you there. It鈥檚 like a family.鈥�

Rigorous, but supportive, Martinez De Los Santos said at the heart of the school is its founding director 鈥� Kendra Krause.

鈥淢s. Krause is like my second mom. She never waits to be supportive or lend a helping hand, she鈥檚 always there,鈥� said Martinez De Los Santos, whose family immigrated to the U.S. when he was one-year-old. 鈥淪he鈥檚 really dedicated her life to make sure students who have come from situations like mine鈥� are successful. I honestly wouldn鈥檛 be in college without her.鈥�

Krause said Brophy鈥檚 leadership saw that even with increased financial aid, some students 鈥渨ould still struggle when they got here, sometimes academically, sometimes socially, usually both.鈥�

So, the idea was born to create a feeder middle school to equip these young boys with the academic and social foundation to succeed at Brophy.

鈥淲e want to help eliminate anything that might keep a boy from being successful and focusing on school,鈥� Krause said. 鈥淚 do think that it鈥檚 more than just money to go to a private school. We try hard to provide a whole experience that benefits a boy and his family.鈥�

Fifth-grade students qualify to attend Loyola based on recommendations, academic potential and financial need. Beyond tuition, Loyola provides students with uniforms, technology, transportation, meals and support for families.

Brophy鈥檚 mission is to transform young men into leaders committed to service and social justice, or Men for Others, said Brophy President Adria Renke.

鈥淟oyola Academy lives our mission. It truly is men and women for and with others. It鈥檚 the best thing Brophy College Prep has done since 1928,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e are all different because of Loyola Academy, no question. It has changed the fabric of our school.鈥�