Overview

Overview

Validus Preparatory Academy is a 9th-12th-grade public, non-charter Expeditionary Learning school devoted to academics, health and fitness. Located in the Bronx, we are operated by NYC Outward Bound in partnership with the NYC Department of Education.

Mission

The mission of Validus Prep is to develop students who understand the importance of health and fitness, who demonstrate the character traits of Responsibility, Collaboration, Compassion, and Commitment, and who achieve mastery in academics to prepare them to be successful in life after high school.

Academics & College

As an Expeditionary Learning School, Validus Prep students learn by doing. We motivate students to get out of the classroom and into the action of solving real-world problems. Students conduct field work, alongside the help of experts, and create and share meaningful work with public audiences, all of which makes learning relevant and which results in students achieving at higher levels than they ever thought possible. This approach to learning is not only adventurous, it is also rigorous, standards-based and prepares students for state and citywide tests – and for their college careers.

Validus Prep’s Expeditionary Learning curriculum meets college entrance requirements and provides students with a broad range of choices after they graduate. Our college advisors support students by setting up internships, taking students to visit colleges, and helping students with the college application and financial aid process.

Our graduates attend colleges that include: NYU, UMass, University of Rochester, Howard University, The New School-Eugene Lang, University of Portland, St. John's, Colby Sawyer, Boston College, LIU, St. Joseph's, Bridgeport, Mercy College, Elmira College, John Jay, Oswego-Binghampton, SUNY New Paltz, University of Vermont, University of Maryland, Syracuse, Genesee...and more!

Adventure, Health & Fitness

As a NYC Outward Bound network school, Validus Prep offers unique and intensive adventure and fitness courses, such as our five-day, overnight Outward Bound backpacking course in upstate New York, which is required of all first-year students and faculty, and free climbing trips to NYC Outward Bound’s 5-story rock climbing wall. As a health and fitness-focused school, nutrition and fitness programs for students and faculty alike are integrated into academic work and the physical education curriculum. Our school community continually monitors individual and collective health and fitness progress, and the school was awarded the 2009 Blue Apple Award for excellence in health education.

PSAL Sports

Validus Prep offers PSAL and intramural/club sports, including Cross Country, Basketball, Wrestling, Baseball, Double-Dutch club Volleyball, Softball, Tennis, Rock Climbing, and Track.

Extracurricular Offerings

Validus Prep offers many additional extracurricular activities, including:

• After school & summer literacy programs
• Tutoring
• Student Crew Leader Assembly
• PSAL Athletics
• Tech Squad
• Video Production
• Taibo, Dance Squad
• Drama Club
• Red Cross Lifeguard & CPR training

Partnerships with New York University, Asphalt Green, Citizens Advice Bureau, Brooklyn Harbor Conservatory & Bronx Lebanon Hospital

School code: X07R

“There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps, for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling
to settle for less.”
—Kurt Hahn, Founder of Outward Bound