Leadership team
The leadership team at VPA is comprised of experienced and dedicate professional who are committed to serving a community of diverse educators through tenants of adult development. Our leadership team supports staff, who in turn are better positioned to support students in all phases of student development.
Jonathan Clayton, Principal
Email: jclayton@schools.nyc.gov
Dear students and families of Validus Preparatory Academy,
Welcome to VPA! At Validus, we have three core values: Vision, Preparation and Accountability and we strive to ensure that both our staff and students embody these values. Our goals are to have all of our students find purpose in their education, and develop a clear sense of who they would like to become. In their time with us, we help students find their voice and we make sure our students play an active role in planning out both short and long term goals. Then, we hold students and ourselves accountable to actualizing these goals. Our measure of success is what becomes of our alumni after graduation.
I am honored to serve as your Principal and to be part of the VPA community. We are here to serve all children, maintain high expectations and advocate for the needs of the community. We are also actively seeking to strengthen and increase our partnerships, so that we can bring valuable opportunities to our students. Feel free to explore our website, set up a visit or contact us.
On behalf of the VPA staff, I welcome all of you to an exciting, successful and purposeful school year.
Principal Jonathan Clayton
Steven Cruz, Assistant Principal
Email: scruz22@schools.nyc.gov
Mr. Cruz was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and is a product of the NYC public and private school systems. Mr. Cruz spent his first 9 years in education serving the DreamYard Preparatory High School community as both a teacher and Assistant Principal. In this 2023-2024 school year, Mr. Cruz will be serving his first year as an Assistant Principal at Validus Preparatory Academy. Mr. Cruz has a Bachelor’s degree in History from the City College of New York, a Master’s degree in Adolescent Development from Stony Brook University, a Master’s degree in Special Education from the City College of New York, and finally, an advanced certificate in School Building Leadership from the City College of New York. In addition to his love for working with and connecting with young people, Mr. Cruz is a BIG sneakerhead and lover of streetwear and can be seen teaching in a different pair of sneakers everyday.
Latasha Frisco, Assistant Principal
Email: lfrisco@schools.nyc.gov
Latasha Frisco is a dedicated education leader who proudly serves as the Assistant Principal at Validus Preparatory Academy in the Bronx. With more than 25 years of service in District 9, she has committed her career to supporting student success and strengthening school communities through thoughtful leadership, strong instructional practices, and a deep focus on school safety.Born in Queens and raised in the Bronx since her teenage years, Ms. Frisco has a strong connection to the community she serves. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from The City College of New York, followed by a master's degree in School Administration from Mercy College. She also obtained her School District Leader certification through the CITE program at The College of Saint Rose.
Known for her approachable leadership style, Ms. Frisco enjoys connecting with students and building meaningful relationships with families, believing that strong school-family partnerships are essential to student success.
