Life After Lafayette Academy, a Lake Saint Louis classical school, as alumna Marin McKinney shares how her education prepared her for high-level shooting at Hillsdale College.

In this episode of the LadyK Podcast, KatyMcKinney sits down with Marin to reflect on her journey from Lafayette Academy to collegiate competition. Marin discusses how the habits formed through classical education, discipline, focus, self-command, and clear thinking played a direct role in her athletic preparation and performance.

She also shares how two specific books helped shape her mindset, reinforcing the idea that intellectual formation and reading are not separate from athletics, but foundational to excellence under pressure.

This conversation offers parents and students a meaningful alumni perspective on life after Lafayette Academy and how thoughtful preparation equips students for demanding academic and athletic paths.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

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At Lafayette Academy: A Classical School, manners and etiquette are not simply expectations, they are foundational to how the school day begins and how students are formed.

In this episode, Katy McKinney explains why manners matter beyond social niceties and how classical education treats etiquette as a form of daily formation. From the first moments of the school day, students are taught how to carry themselves with respect, self-control, and attentiveness to others.

Katy shares why these habits are intentionally taught, how they shape a child’s character over time, and why manners are essential preparation for life, not just for the classroom.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download

Classical education can feel unfamiliar to many parents, especially when they first walk into a school without computers, see students handwriting notes, or hear about things like the Paideia or a senior thesis. In this episode, Katy Mckinney breaks down the most common questions parents ask when touring Lafayette Academy and explains why classical education intentionally uses different tools, methods, and materials than modern schools.

From cultural literacy to real books, from paper-and-pencil note-taking to the habits that form deep thinking, Katy shares what makes classical education uniquely powerful at training the mind, cultivating virtue, and preparing students for a life of wisdom and purpose.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download

Show summary here. Join Katy McKinney, founder of Lafayette Academy: A Classical School, as she shares the beginnings of a classical school that’s now home to over 125 children. From a single moment of wonder at the kitchen table to a decade of growth rooted in faith and the timeless Trivium, Katy reflects on what it really means to nurture minds and hearts with beauty, truth, and goodness.

If you’ve ever sensed there’s a deeper, more joyful way to educate children, one that feels like coming home, this conversation is for you. Perfect for parents seeking peace in the midst of today’s education noise.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download

Founder and Head of School Katy McKinney shares “mission moments” from Lafayette Academy: A Classical School, real snapshots where students’ character shines. From a first‑year student who refuses to quit a body‑drag challenge, to a ninth‑grader choosing forgiveness after a creek‑side mishap, to a transfer student advancing four years of math in 18 months, to a spontaneous chorus of “America the Beautiful” in art class—this episode shows how temperance, courage, justice, and prudence form happy, resilient humans. If you’ve wondered how classical education weaves goodness and rigor into everyday life, this one’s for you.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download

Accreditation sounds reassuring—but it doesn’t always mean better learning. In this episode, Katy McKinney shares why Lafayette Academy chose not to pursue accreditation and how the school measures excellence instead. She explains what colleges really care about, how accreditation can distract teachers from their mission, and the practical data Lafayette tracks weekly to stay accountable.

You’ll learn:

• Why mission alignment matters more than a stamp
• What colleges actually look for in applicants
• How Lafayette measures learning and character every week

Listen if you’ve ever wondered: Is accreditation proof of quality or just paperwork?

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download

The LadyK Podcast invites parents, teachers, and community leaders to rediscover the timeless truths that shape strong minds and hearts. Hosted from Lafayette Academy in St. Charles County, Missouri, each episode explores topics like classical education, virtue formation, family culture, and the moral foundations of freedom.

Through stories, history, and faith-filled reflection, LadyK shares how classical learning—rooted in truth, goodness, and beauty—transforms both students and communities. Whether you’re a parent in Lake Saint Louis, Wentzville, or greater St. Louis, or simply seeking a deeper vision for education and family life, this podcast offers wisdom, encouragement, and real-world application.

Join us as we cultivate gratitude, character, and purpose in the next generation—one conversation at a time.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download

In a culture that often fuels comparison and entitlement, what if the real key to joy is something far simpler — gratitude?

In this episode, LadyK explores how practicing thankfulness can transform families, classrooms, and communities. With stories from The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder and insights from The Entitlement Trap by Richard & Linda Eyre, she unpacks why gratitude isn’t just a good habit — it’s a safeguard for freedom and flourishing.

You’ll discover:
•Why gratitude builds resilience and character in children.
•How entitlement robs us of joy — and what to do about it.
•Practical ways to bring gratitude into daily life.
•Timeless wisdom from Scripture and classic literature that point us back to gratitude as the antidote to entitlement.

Listen in and be inspired to plant seeds of gratitude that grow into stronger families and a freer society.

For more information about Lafayette Academy, A Classical School please visit https://lafayetteacademy.org/

For Referenced Resources from the LadyK Podcast Click Here for Download