Team

Matt Lakis, Principal

Matt Lakis has more than a decade of experience and a track record of success in public education. As Principal of Woodward-Granger High School, he fostered an environment of high academic achievement, with students reporting emotional safety at nearly twice the state average and physical safety at 14% higher than the state average (2024 Conditions for Learning Survey).

Prior to Woodward-Granger, Matt worked in Des Moines Public Schools as an Associate Principal and Literacy Coach, and in Johnston Community Schools as a High School English Teacher and Teacher Leader. When he’s not serving his students and community, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and three children.

Megan Woster, Dean of Academics

Megan brings 13 years of combined teaching and administrative experience in secondary education. She has taught High School English, Written Expression, Executive Functioning, and Career and College Readiness at a private high school in Arizona. For four of those years, she led as Director of Transition, guiding a team dedicated to supporting students in preparing for college and the workforce. Most recently, Megan served as a high school administrator, currently holding the role of Head of High School. In this position, she has worked closely with educators to ensure strong instruction and student-centered learning.

James Troupis, Chief of Schools

James is the Chief of Schools, responsible for leading the development of our growing school network. He brings over 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, district leader, and edtech start-up founder. James was the founder and principal of Gary Comer College Prep on Chicago’s South Side; with 100% college enrollment and city-leading ACT growth, he won the Ryan Award as the nation’s top principal. He was also the Chief People Officer at Noble Schools in Chicago and co-founder of OpenSeat, an organization that helps schools provide personalized, one-to-one, social-emotional support to students.

Nate Evans, Dean of Culture

Nate brings a wealth of experience from West Des Moines Community Schools and Des Moines Public Schools, where he’s served as a Social Emotional Behavior Specialist, SUCCESS Case Manager, At-Risk Coordinator, and Restorative and Safety Coordinator.