Oak Park Schools is honored to introduce Nova's new Principal Mario Evans

With 20 years of experience in education, Mr. Mario Evanshas dedicated his career to advancing student success, equity, and achievement. He began his journey at Southfield Public Schools, where he taught for 12 years and built a strong foundation in instructional practice, student engagement, and curriculum design.

Transitioning into school leadership, he has served as an administrator for the past eight years. His leadership journey includes four years at Denby High School in Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and three years at Oak Park High School, where he focused on credit recovery, culture building, restorative practices, and preparing students for college and careers.

Now, as the Principal of NOVA Academy, Mr. Evans brings a deep commitment to collaboration, innovation, and student-centered leadership. He believes in the power of strong relationships between educators, families, and communities to transform schools into thriving learning environments.

Looking ahead, Mr. Evans is committed to building a school culture rooted in academic excellence, equity, and empowerment. His vision is to ensure that every student graduates prepared not only for college and careers, but also for leadership in their communities. This vision includes expanding opportunities for advanced coursework, hands-on learning, and career pathways, while embedding social-emotional learning, restorative practices, and mentorship into the daily fabric of school life.

At the heart of his vision is the belief that students thrive when they feel seen, supported, and challenged. By cultivating strong teacher collaboration, engaging families as true partners, and fostering innovation in the classroom, Mr. Evans is dedicated to leading NOVA Academy into a future where every student can succeed with confidence, purpose, and pride.