Who We Are
LaFontaine Preparatory School was founded by Gus and Kristin LaFontaine in 2011. Gus, a lifelong resident of Madison County, had just returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Kentucky Army National Guard.
Instead of returning to work as a public school teacher, Gus along with Kristin decided to open a small-business and provide a new, unique approach to educating early learners. In its first year, the school served 13 half-day, pre-kindergarten students at LaFontaine Preparatory School.
At the same time they were growing their small business, they were also growing their family by having 5 kids in 5 years and adding grades, staff, and services to the LaFontaine Preparatory School team.
In 2012, Jeff and Abby McIntier relocated to Kentucky from Utah to continue to grow the school. Jeff was a recent graduate of BYU Law and Abby would continue her work as a dance teacher in Kentucky.
Later, Brian and Narayana Pennington joined the team with an investment that allowed growth to continue. Brian is a life-long friend of Gus’. The Pennington family lives in South Riding, Virginia where Brian serves as an active-duty Army officer and Narayana works as a family nurse practitioner.
What started as a tiny, local small business has now grown to become a non-profit private school that serves over 150 students, a preschool that serves another 50, a child care center that serves 150 infants and toddlers, and finally, our very first Nature School!
AMONGST ALL THE GROWTH, OUR VISION REMAINED THE SAME
WE SET THE FOUNDATION
At the same time, our mission expanded to include language that reflects the outdoor-centered activities of The Nature Schools.
We partner with families to create positive, nature-based learning experiences for young children while fostering an environmental ethic and independence in a safe and transparent setting.
