A proud product of the Prep for Prep program, in 2019, José became the first alum to be appointed head of an independent school when he joined Chicago’s Lake Forest Academy. 

The Excellence in Academia feature details José’s educational journey from his arrival in New York City as a six-year-old from Puerto Rico and attending P.S.75 to accepting the HoS position at Dalton last year.   

Established in 1978, Prep for Prep strives to develop future leaders by creating access for young people of color to first-rate educational, leadership development, and professional advancement opportunities.

During the first summer of Preparatory Component, Prep for Prep assigns all students to a subschool. This past summer, the program honored José by renaming one of its two subschools in his name.

Overjoyed to receive the honor, José told his alma mater, “I felt like I was literally flying in so many ways and just blown away by that honor. I’m deeply humbled. I want to continue to make the program proud and make those kids proud. That’s a big inspiration for me.”