Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoraida Villanueva.
Zoraida, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in the small town of Homestead, FL. Homestead is known for great things like its agriculture, rural lifestyle, and many nurseries. Sadly, it is also known as one of the most dangerous cities in Florida, low-income housing developments, and underperforming schools. My parents decided to move to homestead 1982 after they arrived from Cuba. Homestead was their only choice because housing in Miami was over their budget. Both of my parents escaped Cuba during the Mariel Boat Lift in 1980. Coming to the United States was a very big accomplishment for them. They knew that they wanted to start a family in the United States. 4 years after their arrival I was born!
I am the 2nd oldest child out of 4. Growing up I attended my local public school. I was always an average student when being compared to students within my own community. I never made it to honor roll. I never cared too much about school because I knew my parents weren’t nagging me or requesting that I do any better then a C and I was perfectly fine with that. Throughout my school years, I can honestly say that I lost interest in school in high school. I remember going to school and sleeping in class. Never having an engaging teacher. Never having something to look forward to other than seeing my friends. I also remember never having a counselor to talk to or an advisor to even tell me I should go to college. I somehow managed to pass the FCAT and graduate high school. There I was 18 years young and out of school. I decided to get pregnant and become a wife and mother.
One day, I just sat in my mother’s living room and saw my older sister getting ready for college and I just thought, “why don’t I go to college”. I was just sitting at home doing nothing but waiting for my daughter to make her grand debut. I decided to go to Miami Dade and take the College Placement Test. I bombed it so bad. I literally ended up in 6 remedial classes, three classes for reading/language arts and 3 for mathematics. I remember crying and just thinking how dumb I was. It was at that moment that I met a professor that changed my life. She took me to her office and told me I need to stop crying and that I need to make things happen for my daughter. That day my life changed. I signed up for all my classes, passed all of them, graduated Miami Dade within two years and transferred to Florida International University where I majored in Exceptional Student Education. I made up my mind that I wanted to make sure that no child was ever left behind. I wanted to make sure that no student’s education would be determined by the zip code they live in. I did just that, I graduated FIU with a Bachelors in Exceptional Student Education.
I taught for one year with Miami Dade County Public Schools and opened up a Tutoring Agency in my hometown where my children in my community were able to receive free tutoring. I ended up providing services to over 1,900 students in the community of Homestead. Through this opportunity, I was able to see the need in my community for a school of choice. In 2012, I opened up Villa Preparatory Academy. VPA is a Non-Profit Private School located in Homestead, Fl. All of the students who attend my school pay no tuition. These children are provided with a high-quality education which is implemented through the use of researched-based curriculum and taught by State Certified Teachers. Students at VPA are performing above district level students as per the IOWA test of basic skills and SAT scores. Students at VPA follow the same curriculum as Miami Dade Public Schools and are expected to perform at or above their grade level. VPA works on developing the whole child. Not only do we focus on their education we also help them become well-rounded individuals in society. We encourage our students to talk to each other and adults. We provide students with monthly and yearly field trips. Students have gone to Washington, DC., New York City, Hawaii, and this year we will be going to Colorado.
Overall, for the last 12 years, I have been able to live out my dream. I have been changing lives and most importantly breaking cycles in the same community I grew up in. It is with great pride that I say that my first 8th-grade class will be graduating from high school next year! None of them have dropped out, none of them ended up pregnant, all of them plan on attending college, all of them have passed their state test. This alone is my motivation and my drive daily. To be blessed to see how one school, one dream is changing the lives of so many children. Children who are our future. VPA has been one of the largest accomplishments of my life. I can only hope that I can encourage others to continue believing in their dreams. Dreams do come true.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. No one ever offered help. The help I did receive was very over the top. Some of the struggles were just dealing with permits and actually getting everything up and running. Lucky google was my best friend and I was able to get through those hick-ups.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I am the Founder of Villa Preparatory Academy. As the Founder overlook all academic programs and all school day to day operations. I have always followed the same system and requirements Miami Dade Schools has. I just have the ability of modifying it to meet the needs of the students and teachers in my school. I specialize in students with emotional and behavioral issues and students with specific learning disabilities. I provide these students with the same services they would receive in the public school. These students tend to have either a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Plan. I am well known in my community to serve as an advocate for students in my school and for students who are not in my school but parents have very little understanding of the IEP or 504 process. Many parents do not know their child’s rights when it comes to the services they are entitled to. That’s where I come in and assist. I make sure that all students are receiving the support and tools they need in order to be successful in school and in order for each of them to reach academic success.
I would have to say that what I am most proud of is the fact that I have been able to turn children’s lives around. Children who were failing before and now at VPA they have found a home. VPA really works hard to be a risk-free environment for all children. At VPA everyone is family and children ask for help without the fear of being laughed at. Our students are taught that through conversations and hand on learning they will reach their full potential.
What sets VPA apart from others is the simple fact that we take our time to get to know each child and their family. Children are not a number at VPA. Each child that attends VPA knows that they are part of a family and that everyone is here for them.
Do you feel luck has played a role in your life?
I think good luck played a role in the fact that I am from this same community so I know the needs very well. Growing up here gives me the advantage of really applying everything I wished my school had when I was growing up.
Contact Info:
- Address: 14112 SW 288 ST
Homestead, FL 33033 - Website: WWW.VILLAPREPACADEMY.COM
- Phone: 305-247-5858
- Email: VILLAPREPZV@GMAIL.COM
- Instagram: VILLAPREPBOBCATS_HOMESTEAD
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
