Now Accepting Applications for the 2021-2022 School Year
Valiant College Prepatory
At Valiant College Preparatory, we strive to offer challenging courses and the best environment for high achievement in Academics.Guided by relentless focus on our educational principals, we will constantly strive to implement the critical initiatives required to achieve our vision. In doing this, we will deliver operational excellence in every corner of our school and meet or exceed our commitments to every student that enters our domain. All of our long-term strategies and short-term actions will be molded by a set of core values that are shared by each and every member of our team.
Customized Education
VCP customizes a student’s educational program based on individual abilities, strengths, needs, and interests. We utilize ability groupings in the four core academic areas: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. This unique system allows us to meet each student at their ability level and challenge them individually. Our goal is to ensure the academic success of every student, while we prepare them for college and beyond.
VCP follows a curriculum set out by Arizona State Standards. VCP High School follows a curriculum based on Arizona Graduation Requirements and NCAA Eligibility requirements with courses in Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and Foreign Language, as well as elective courses. VCP offers a variety of levels in different courses including AP and Honor's.
VCP is Accredited by both Cognia and WASP. We are also reconized by the National Association of Independent Schools.
VCP graduates are college-bound students who have developed an appreciation for life-long learning. VCP strives to mold students into you adults who realize their character, integrity, and hard work in a larger, global community.
Meet Our Staff
At Valiant College Preparatory, we strive to offer challenging courses and the best environment for high achievement in Academics.
In the 2018-2019 school year Valiant College Preparatory surpassed the average AZ Merit scores. Our scores included all highly proficient in English and an amazing 4 perfect scores in the math portion.
Eric Pawlak
Principal / Co Founder
Mr. Pawlak has worked in Public, Charter and Private Schools as a Principal, Assistant Principal, and Teacher for the last 25 years. Mr. Pawlak earned a teaching degree from NAU in 1995 and a Masters degree in Educational Administration from ASU in 2001. Mr. Pawlak has been the Principal and Co-Founder of VCP since it inception in 2018.
Melissa Larkin
Foreign Language Department Head / Teacher
Melissa has Bachelor of Science degrees in both Child Development and Nursing from A.S.U. and is now a licensed Registered Nurse. She is originally from Tucson but moved to the Valley to study at A.S.U. Before coming to us at VCP, she worked as an Early Intervention Specialist for Spanish-Speaking families.
Eric Larkin
Jr. High Coach / Co Founder
Eric Larkin is one of Valiant's co-founders and currently serves as a Valiant College Preparatory wrestling coach. Athletics and coaching has been his passion for 20+ years. Coming from a college wrestling career at Arizona State University he has witnessed the positive impact that athletic participation can have on the mental, physical, spiritual development, and maturation of students. He is able to help VCP offer a collegiate-model athletic program aimed at developing competitive student-athletes.
Mike Douglas
Athletic Director / Operations
Mike Douglas serves as the Valiant College Preparatory athletic director. Athletics and teaching have been a passion of his for 15+ years. He is committed to the safety and well-being of our athletes first. He is honored by this tremendous responsibility.
Jami Watters
Vice Principal / Social Studies Director / Swim Coach
Jami Watters has over a decade of teaching experience. She holds her first degree in History, with an emphasis in US government and military history. A Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She later earned her 2nd degree in religious studies and a certificate in religion and conflict. Ms. Watters is also a competitive swimmer and has traveled the country to compete with the best.
Scott Weeks
English Department Head / Track and Field Coach
Scott Weeks holds a Masters degree in English and has taught for 10 years Arizona. He has a passion for English studies. He is known through out Arizona for his teaching techniques. He encourages students to think critically and analytically through discussion and introspection. A class with Mr. Weeks is a way for any student to learn more about themselves and connecting with writers of all time periods. Mr. Weeks played baseball in college.
ReBekah Watters
Math Department Head / Teacher
ReBekah Watters comes to Valaint From Atlantic National Trust, a real-estate investment company. She holds a degree in Finance a minor in Math and a Multicultural studies certificate from the University of Missouri. She was a basketball player throughout her academic career. Ms. Watters has 36 credits of upper level Math courses and is a Highly Qualified Math Teacher for the state of Arizona.
Jim Popham
Science Department Head / Golf Coach
After 25+ years of teaching Science and coaching golf and wrestling in Northern Arizona, Mr. Popham brings his enthusiasm and passion for education to Valiant. He holds Degrees in educations with multiple certificates including Science, PE, and Driver Ed.
Mario Meza
Spanish Teacher
Mr. Meza graduated from the University of California Irvine in 1981 with a degree in Bilingual Education/ Spanish Literature and English Teacher Certification by the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico ( UNAM) . He has taught at JoCombs Highschool, Adult Education/ Coconino County Superintendent Office (Flagstaff), Adult Education / Maricopa County, Head Start Family Support Specialist, Adult Education Coordinator at Catholic Social Services of Orange County, Spanish Immersion Teacher/ Newport /Mesa School District, English Teacher/ Universidad Autonoma de Mexico ( School of Foreign Language) and Preparatoria # 3.
Angel Cejudo
Head Wrestling Coach
Angel Cejudo is the Head Wrestling at Valiant College Preparatory. Angel grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and attended Maryvale High School where his passion for the sport allowed him to go undefeated all four years carrying a 152-0 record, bringing home four state championship titles, and making him one of the most decorated wrestlers from Arizona. After high school he continued his career in wrestling at the Olympic training center.
In 2005 he went on to the FILA Junior Freestyle World Team and in 2008 Angel represented the U.S. winning at the Dave Schultz Memorial International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament. Later that year he entered the U.S. Olympic trials where he trained with his brother Henry Cejudo, who himself went on to win the Olympic Gold Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In 2009 Angel joined the Army where he wrestled for the World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) and in 2010 he took bronze at the Military World Championship. Angel has had the opportunity to train with some of the best coaches in the world, such as Terry Brands, Kevin Jackson, and Sergei Beloglazov. Through the many trials and tribulations of Angel’s wrestling career has kept focus on his family and learned from his many tournaments, mentors, and experiences how to develop an outlook that allows him to contribute this knowledge towards VCP wrestling team!
Andre Morgan
Jr. High Teacher
Mr Morgan is entering his 25th year in education. He has 18 years at the high school level including experience teaching junior high and elementary with 10 years in Special Ed. A graduate of Governors State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Art. For six years he was also an accomplished writer for the Chicago Sun Times newspapers sports department. Mr. Morgan in 2016 was elected to his high school, Chicago Vocational’s Hall of Fame as a successful athlete and coach. He also has been inducted into the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association Hall of Fame as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for his 20 year wrestling broadcasting and reporting career. Mr Morgan looks forward to the challenge of teaching the bright minds at VCP.