Cynthia Trigg, Superintendent, Founder & CEO of Evolution Academy Charter Schools.

A Visionary Principal Leading the Way: Mrs. Trigg is an exceptional educational leader whose passion for student success knows no bounds. With a background in education that spans more than 20 years, she has created an environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive. A product of Beaumont, Texas, she received her Bachelor’s from Texas Woman’s University, Master’s in Education Administration from Prairie View A&M University, and Superintendent Certification from the University of Texas at Tyler. A former secondary school teacher, director of student activities, assistant principal, principal, and educational specialist, Mrs. Trigg has served in Beaumont Independent School District, Aldine Independent School District, Fort Worth Independent School, Wilmer Hutchins Independent School, and Region V Education Service Center in Houston before opening the doors of Evolution Academy. Mrs. Trigg has successfully led Evolution Academy to the front of the educational industry, as they champion a student-centered approach, empower teachers to innovate in the classroom, and forge strong community and dual enrollment partnerships that extend beyond the classroom walls.

Mrs. Trigg brings a unique blend of educational expertise and entrepreneurial vision. As CEO, she manages a staff of more than 90 and serves over 800 students. As a proven leader in her professional pursuits and community service endeavors, Mrs. Trigg has been at the forefront of service for more than 20 years. Mrs. Trigg embraces accountability and demands that the entire staff focus on keeping student performance as the main objective. At Evolution Academy, an organization with a student population that is 95 percent at risk of dropping out of school, this means accepting no excuses and focusing on every student who walks through the doors of each campus every day.

Can you tell us about your background and what led you to a career in education, particularly as a principal and educational leader?

Before the formation of Evolution Academy Charter School, I served in school districts and an educational center across Texas. I received my Master’s in Education Administration and served in a diverse array of roles such as secondary school teacher, director of student activities, assistant principal, principal, and educational specialist before launching a nonprofit created to serve as a charter high school, so education is where both my heart and passion to serve lives.

Evolution Academy has a unique approach to education. Can you elaborate on the student-centered approach and the innovative methods you employ in the classroom?

While we keep the students’ performance the main priority, we also focus on accountability from our students. It’s crucial to do both when there is a 95% chance that our school’s population is at risk of dropping out. At Evolution Academy we pride ourselves on teaching our students that excuses don’t lead to success, so we offer one-on-one attention to all enrolled young adult students. This helps us determine what each student needs so we can equip them with the proper tools necessary to accomplish their goals, which in turn helps them thrive and advance to the next level.

Furthermore, we have several innovative programs at Evolution Academy, such as a four-hour school day so they can balance their school schedule, studies, jobs, and personal commitments. There are also online learning programs available that pre-date 2020 and opportunities for students to accelerate their learning, which affords them the chance to graduate early. In addition, all students have access to a range of career and technical education programs along with dual enrollment classes in industries like digital media and cyber security. To ensure our students are on a successful path, we continuously add opportunities for our students to gain industry-based certifications through training in the fields of entrepreneurship, education, community healthcare, pharmacy tech, real estate, and other high-demand careers within the communities we serve.

You’ve served in various roles within different school districts before founding Evolution Academy. How have those experiences shaped your approach to educational leadership?

More than 20 years ago, the dropout rates were astonishingly high. During my time in various school districts serving in different capacities, I noticed a gap between the education system and students. To fill in what was missing, I created Evolution Academy. Although the dropout rate of minority students, who are the majority of students we serve, has steadily decreased over time,  it’s still a crisis we believe needs to be addressed.

Evolution Academy focuses on at-risk students. How do you and your team address the specific challenges these students face and ensure their success?

At Evolution Academy, we know having a high school diploma is not enough, so we encourage our students to seek out higher education institutions. I feel we’ve been making great strides in that area, and we have kept our commitment to support our students in numerous ways by providing the fundamentals they need to build the life they desire beyond the walls of our campuses.

Our goal is not just to see students receive a high school diploma but also graduate with an Industry Certification and or Associate Degree. This way they have the skill set to be productive citizens, which is the ultimate goal for us as educators.

As both an educational expert and an entrepreneur, how do you balance these roles in your day-to-day responsibilities as the CEO of Evolution Academy?

As the CEO, I manage more than 90 faculty members and serve more than 800 students every year, but I don’t accomplish this alone. Each campus offers something unique as the needs of our students are different. I have to thank my amazing and dedicated staff across all three of our campuses because they are instrumental in the success of our students and in ensuring scale.

In your journey as an educational leader, what has been the most rewarding aspect, and what drives your passion for student success?

To see our students start way behind, due to a wide range of reasons, for their grade level, quickly catch up, and graduate with the possibility of simultaneously earning an Associate degree or industry-based certification, we can’t help but always tell our kids that “you may have thought you were behind, but you’re leaving us ahead of the game.” It is exciting for us, it’s a monumental moment for the students, and lives are being changed.

Witnessing students evolve from the day that they walk through the door, sometimes not having an understanding of what they’re going to do or how our particular program will help, is beyond explanation.

What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
A “Pretty Woman Who Hustles” typically refers to a woman who is not only physically attractive but also possesses a strong work ethic and determination. She is ambitious, driven, and hardworking, often juggling multiple responsibilities or pursuing her goals with vigor and dedication. This term emphasizes both external beauty and inner strength, highlighting the combination of charm and ambition in a woman.