José D. Jiménez served as the principal of the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics for 15 years. Before assuming this role, he was a mathematics teacher and the Assistant Principal of Mathematics at the High School for Environmental Studies. One of his proudest achievements was transforming his school, increasing the graduation rate from 70% to 99%. He attributes this success to fostering a strong school culture where every member of the community shared a common vision and viewed themselves as integral contributors to a grand social project.
During his tenure, Jiménez spearheaded the development of internationally recognized science research programs, robotics teams, an aviation program equipped with professional flight simulators, and highly competitive mathematics and chess teams. He also significantly expanded student involvement in internships with top universities, research institutions, and leading corporations such as BlackRock, NBC, CBS, NASA, and Columbia Presbyterian.
Upon his retirement in 2022, Jiménez pursued his passion for aviation, earning his pilot’s license and flying across the United States and abroad. He is currently working on his first book, which focuses on school leadership and his experiences in education.