Dr. Evonne S. Alvarez is the Superintendent of Lynn Public Schools, the fourth-largest district in Massachusetts. Geographically located in Greater Boston’s Northshore, it is known for its contemporary public art, historic architecture, downtown cultural district, public parks, and open spaces, including the oceanfront Lynn Shore Reservation and Lynn Woods Reservation. Home to an international and multilingual population, Lynn Public Schools services almost 17,000 students across 27 schools. As a linguistically rich community, 68% of students speak two or more languages, and 80% identify as minorities. The top five languages of 55 spoken are Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Arabic, and Khmer. As the superintendent, she is responsible for all areas of curriculum and instruction, professional development, instructional technology, business and finance of a $230M+ budget, data, assessment, accountability, human resources, student supports, and all school operations. She oversees an incredible team of leaders, teachers, and staff to deliver instructional programming. Her focus is reimagining the student experience K-12 to access innovative educational programming. She consistently seeks opportunities to ensure excellence in education for all students.
Her professional experiences have given her a vantage point in the educational arena. Before migrating to the northeast, she served the students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) for 26 years. Her magnet program experiences in Miami-Dade range from overseeing the International Baccalaureate program at Coral Gables Senior High in 2003, being the lead innovator and MSAP Grant writer for the magnet programs at South Dade Senior High School in 2007, leading the South Miami Middle School Center for the Arts as principal in 2010, and as the principal of the nationally recognized magnet high school New World School of the Arts in 2012. At New World, she expanded higher-level course availability through College Board Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses, making students from New World School of the Arts first-choice candidates for some of the country’s most prestigious colleges and universities. This exemplary learning institution earned the Magnet Schools of America National Certification and Demonstration status in 2017. In December of 2021, The Knight Foundation named her a Knight Arts Champion for her contributions to the region’s rich arts and culture scene as a community leader for over a decade in South Florida.
As the Administrative Director for School Choice & Parental Options, District Director of Curriculum, and Project Director for the United States Department of Education’s Office of Innovation and Improvement Magnet Schools Assistance Program in 2018, Dr. Alvarez was part of an incredible team leading the nation in programs demonstrating a high commitment to academic standards, innovative curriculum, diversity and inclusion, and authentic community engagement. As the Project Director for the United States Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) grant, she was responsible for the STEM Pathways Project’s successful implementation and program sustainability for two high schools and one elementary school. The learning spaces resembled authentic professional environments with professional-grade equipment, state-of-the-art computers, industry standards curriculum for each course of study, Career and Technical Education (CTE) industry certifications, and internship programs providing access to careers and entrance to college programs. As a lead innovator for the Schools of Choice & Parental Options team, she was a grant writer for Miami-Dade’s Request for Proposal of MSAP 2021 (2020). MDCPS received $14.1M to redesign the two K-8 STEAM programs that blended STEM with Arts programs, specifically dance & kinetic movement, and visual arts & graphic design. After she relocated in 2022, she led the academics team as the Chief Academic Officer and Redesign Officer for the Providence Public School District in Providence, Rhode Island. Responsible for High-Quality Instructional Materials and MTSS, the Teaching and Learning Department, and Turnaround Performance Measures.
In 2022, she was named a Specialized Director to the Executive Board of MSA. She has advocated for equity in educational choice programs on the MSA Executive Board since 2016 as the Region III Director for three consecutive terms. Dr. Alvarez holds a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Behavior and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park, a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, and a Doctor of Education in Educational Policy, Planning & Leadership K-12 from the College of William and Mary.
Raise the level of performance consistent throughout school districts nationwide and creates a platform from which all magnet schools can flourish. Magnet Schools of America’s national certification process is designed to recognize the hard work of the best magnet schools in the nation and to help them as they grow.
