For Immediate Release: April 1, 2014

Contact: Mike MeCey, (916) 203-7517

NOVA Academy Early College High School Announces New Principal

SANTA ANA, CA – NOVA Academy Early College High School and its Board of Directors are pleased to announce the selection of Maria Vorgias as our new Principal. After a two-month search to fill the position, Ms. Vorgias has been chosen and will serve as Principal at NOVA Academy starting on April 1st.

A special meet and greet will be held at the school auditorium at 6:00 pm on April 1st introduce Vorgias to students, parents and staff.

“We are excited to select Maria Vorgias as the new Principal at NOVA Academy,” said Renee Lancaster, Executive Director of Education for NOVA Academy. ”This is the result of a highly participatory effort by our school community and I cannot imagine a better outcome for NOVA Academy. Maria comes with a wealth of experience and is committed to the well being of our students and their academic success.”

A seasoned educator, Vorgias graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with Certificates in Educational Leadership and Charter School Management. Vorgias has her administrative credential and her single subject teaching credential in English. Vorgias’ previous students and staff commented on how they benefited greatly from her leadership and appreciated her caring heart for the families and community at large.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with the students and staff of NOVA Academy,” said Vorgias. ”My recent conversations on campus left me impressed with the dedicated staff, supportive parent community, and great school spirit at NOVA Academy. I look forward to a positive and productive experience on behalf of students and to leading the continued development of an exceptional school.”

In addition to announcing its new principal, NOVA Academy Early College High School was recently recognized by the Orange County Register as a BRONZE medal recipient high school with an Overall Ranking of #11 and an Academic Ranking of #2. NOVA Academy Early College High School is a charter school whose mission is to provide a collegiate environment for underrepresented students with academically rigorous, blended high school and college curriculum. Students attending NOVA Academy Early College High School have the opportunity for dual enrollment in both high school and college classes.

Currently, students are attending Santa Ana College and University of Irvine college classes. The school’s culture and guiding principles are high expectations, persistence, .responsibility, compassion and a class called “family.” The small learning environment centers on each student’s individual success. The administration, teachers and staff are not only concerned about the academic success of each student, but on how they are preparing students to be successful in life.

“It is not just how much they know and learn that is our focus, it is on who they become in life. Caring about their lives and building relationships with each student is one of our primary focuses to success as a school community. We’re extremely proud of this special academic recognition and the uniqueness of our school,” said Lancaster. “Over the past 9 years, a foundation has been laid which has led NOVA Academy Early College High School to become the school we are today, a school that is dedicated to our students. Be assured that our new principal and staff will continue to work towards helping all of our students continue to grow and thrive.”

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