Audra May, Head of School, Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy

Invest: spoke with Audra May, head of school of Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy, about rising interest in private and faith-based education, the school’s parent-centered model, and how it is preparing students for college, careers, and life. “We want our students to understand both their calling and the practical paths available to them,” May said.

What major changes in Houston’s private and faith-based education sector have most affected Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy over the past year?

One of the biggest factors has been growth in our area, especially in Montgomery County. It remains a strong and safe community, and while many families still have confidence in public schools, we are seeing more parents take a closer look at what their children are learning and how they are being formed. That has created more interest in schools like ours.

Our model has been in place for almost 30 years and is built around partnership with parents. We are a parent-based school, so family involvement is central to the educational experience. More families are looking for greater visibility into their children’s development, which has naturally drawn attention to what we offer.

Another important factor has been the growing conversation around school choice. That has encouraged some families who may not have previously considered private education to begin exploring whether this kind of school could be an option for them.

What recent milestones stand out for the school?

One of the most exciting developments has been the construction of a new performing arts center. We already have strong athletic facilities and a thriving STEM program, so this project helps round out the opportunities we offer students.

The new center will have about 350 seats and is expected to be completed around July or August. It was made possible by an anonymous donor, which was a tremendous blessing for our campus community. We have a growing performing arts program, and this gives those students a dedicated space to develop their gifts.

That addition reflects something important about our philosophy. We want our students to be well-rounded.

How do you balance academic excellence with character development?

We believe that values and morals begin with the parents. Parents are the first teachers in a child’s life, and our educational model is built on that foundation. The younger the child, the more directly involved the parent is in the learning process. As students grow older, that balance shifts, but the partnership remains essential all the way through graduation.

In the classroom, we emphasize a biblical worldview because we want students to understand what they believe and why they believe it. We also want them to be able to articulate that clearly. Academics matter, athletics matter, and scholarships matter, but our highest goal is deeper than any of those things. We want to graduate students who are grounded in their faith and able to carry that into every area of life.

That is why we start with the end in mind. We want students to leave our school prepared to evaluate ideas, make decisions, and move into adulthood through the lens of Scripture.

How does that approach prepare students for life after graduation?

A major part of that preparation is helping students build a strong foundation before they leave our campus. Once they graduate, they are going to encounter many different perspectives and ideas. Our job is to make sure they are ready for that, not surprised by it.

For example, our seniors take an apologetics class where we discuss major social and cultural issues and examine them through Scripture. The goal is to help students think carefully, engage thoughtfully, and understand how their faith applies to real decisions in the real world.

We want them to know how to evaluate everything from public issues to personal relationships with wisdom and conviction. That kind of formation is just as important as academic preparation because it shapes how they live, lead, and contribute once they step into college or the workforce.

How is Legacy preparing students for workforce readiness and leadership?

That is an area we have been intentional about. We want our students to understand both their calling and the practical paths available to them.

Beginning around eighth grade and continuing through 12th grade, we provide students with exposure to different careers and industries. We bring in parents and professionals from healthcare, finance, insurance, business, and the skilled trades. Students are able to speak directly with them, ask questions, and get a better sense of what those career paths look like in practice.

We also introduce them to military options, college pathways, and technical careers because one size does not fit all. Not every student is going to follow the same route, and we want them to understand the choices in front of them.

What does that preparation look like in practice?

It includes a mix of reflection and hands-on preparation. Students participate in exercises that help identify their strengths and interests, whether that points them toward teaching, engineering, architecture, nursing, or another field.

We also guide them through practical steps such as resume writing, letters of interest, and interview preparation. In some cases, they dress for an interview and go through the process with staff members as if they were applying for a job. That gives them confidence and real experience before they have to do it professionally.

In addition, we offer classes that include business math, financial concepts, and business plan development. Students are not only hearing about opportunities; they are also gaining foundational skills that can serve them in college, entrepreneurship, or employment.

How do you approach technology and innovation in the classroom?

That has probably been one of the most challenging topics we have faced over the last couple of years, especially with the rise of AI. We want students to understand technology and know how to use it, but we do not want technology to replace their own thinking, creativity, or reasoning.

There is still tremendous value in writing by hand, working through ideas directly, and learning how to think before turning to a device. We have tried to reinforce that by incorporating more in-class writing and more spontaneous exercises where students have to respond in the moment without relying on a computer.

At the same time, we do have a strong STEM culture. Students are learning coding and programming, working with robotics, using 3D printers, and engaging with advanced tools and systems. It is not a question of rejecting technology. It is about using it wisely.

How do you preserve the school’s values while embracing new tools?

For us, it comes back to purpose. Technology should support learning, not replace the student’s own mind or identity. We want students to understand that their ability to reason, create, and discern has value, and those gifts should be developed rather than outsourced.

That balance is especially important in a Christian educational environment. We want students to be equipped for the modern world, but we also want them to remain rooted in who they are and what they believe.

What are your priorities as Houston’s education landscape continues to evolve?

School choice is going to be one of the major forces shaping the future. If education freedom initiatives continue to expand, I believe that will create more options for families and ultimately raise the standard across the board.

Competition is not something I view negatively. I think it pushes all of us to improve. Families are not all the same, students are not all the same, and one model is not going to serve every child equally well. Giving parents more ability to choose can create a healthier, more responsive educational environment.

For Legacy, our priority is to grow carefully and stay true to our culture. Interest in the school may increase, but we are committed to making sure families understand who we are and why we do what we do.

What is your broader outlook for education in Texas?

I believe the landscape can improve if more families are empowered to find the right fit for their children. When parents have real options, schools have to work harder, communicate better, and deliver stronger outcomes. That can benefit the entire system, not just one segment of it.

At Legacy, we regularly compare our results to broader state and national benchmarks. What matters to us is not simply that our students perform well, but that the overall level of education rises and more young people leave school well prepared, well-rounded, and ready to contribute positively to society.

That is the bigger goal. If schools across the state continue improving and more families are able to access the environment that best fits their children, that is a good outcome for everyone.