Monica Villafuerte

Principal / School Leader

Monica Villafuerte is the Founding Principal of Cresthaven Academy Charter School. She has over 20 years of urban public school experience across a variety of disciplines including dance, mathematics and world language education in New York City and New Jersey. She has taught elementary and middle school grades, working with at-risk students, students with disabilities, and English language learners. Ms. Villafuerte has extensive administrative experience having served as dean of students, school programmer, staff developer, and adult high school coordinator. Most recently she served as Assistant School Leader at People’s Prep, a charter high school in Newark, New Jersey. During Monica’s tenure, People’s Prep grew from 7 teachers to a staff of 70, and from 95 to 380 students. In June 2015, People’s Prep graduated their first class with 90% of students accepted to 2 or 4 year colleges. Monica completed her undergraduate work in Dance Education at New York University. She received her M.Ed. from Cambridge College in Education and her Ed.M. in Educational Leadership from Teachers College, Columbia University. Monica is eager to bring her passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to effective school leadership and serve the children and families of Plainfield.

Meghan Pipchick

School Business Administrator

Meghan Pipchick is the Founding School Business Administrator/Board Secretary at Cresthaven Academy. Prior to working at Cresthaven Academy, she worked for a financial services company as a project manager and business analyst implementing various financial systems projects. Meghan holds a BS in Business Administration from Fordham University and an MBA from New York University. She is grateful to be part of the Cresthaven family and to make a difference for scholars in Plainfield.

Daniel Croson

Dean of Students

Daniel Croson is the Dean of Students at Cresthaven Academy Charter School. Daniel previously served as the Founding Executive Director of Cresthaven Academy Foundation. During his tenure, the Foundation created a dynamic on-site after-school program for Cresthaven scholars and worked collaboratively with the school on all things outside of direct classroom instruction, including academic enrichment, family outreach, fundraising, operations, and capital projects.

Before joining Cresthaven Academy, Daniel worked as Director of Community Development for the Borough of Carteret and as a School Board member of the same district. In those roles, Daniel planned and oversaw numerous enrichment programs for students, including a free homework help program at the local library and the expansion of the local Boys & Girls Club. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kean University and has spent over 12 years working in both youth and children's ministries. Daniel’s work is rooted in the belief that each person has greatness within them and, with access to a high-quality education, can use that greatness to transform the world around them. He enjoys iced coffee, running, and watching Friends with his wife, Anjli.