About Galileo Preparatory Academy
Our Vision
To unite passionate learners in a global community where all are welcome, creativity is valued, family is honored, and curiosity never ends.
Our Mission
To prepare learners for a rapidly changing, technology rich, globally focused, people-centric future by instilling in them critical thinking skills, a global perspective, and Galileo’s core values.
Our Purpose
To provide a personalized, flexible, and family-friendly model of active learning that challenges the industrial structure, traditional academic calendar, and one-size-fits-all approach found in most public and private schools.
Our Academic Philosophy
Learning is a lifelong activity. Galileo provides an education that calls upon learners to be the best people they can be and to pursue their own interests while appreciating the interests of others. Galileo guides learners to form a life of learning, creativity, service, and leadership. To think of others before self.
While Galileo plays a significant role in the development of our learners intellectually, socially, and emotionally, we honor the preeminent role of the family in that development. At Galileo, learners apply their knowledge and gain fresh insight through project-based learning, where understanding is expanded, relationships are hewn, and real-world preparation is gained.
The Galileo curriculum is rich in historical facts and cultures covering 70 centuries of world history and 250 years of America’s story; art and literature appropriate for the development of each stage of adolescence; the sciences and mathematics; and community service. A Galileo education is the basis for the next steps in life, for creating hope, and for developing the grit and determination to address individual shortcomings, community problems, and complex issues in pursuit of the American Dream.
The responsibility for developing students is taken seriously at Galileo as is the respect and support held for each family with whom we partner. Students learn by relating new knowledge to something they currently understand or have previously studied. Galileo guides learners to first understand self and family, for only then can they appreciate the community, country, and world in which they live.
Promises
Your child’s success is our top priority.
Your child will learn in a safe environment — both online and in-person.
Your child will be happy in school.
Your child will receive the care and attention necessary to develop the skills to thrive.
Your child will receive a rigorous and real-world educational experience.
Our Values
Galileo leaves an indelible mark on its learners to:
- Do the right thing.
- Never stop learning.
- Improve the local and global community
- Communicate effectively.
- Be focused and fully engaged.
- Think of others before self.

What does it mean to be a Galileo graduate?
Executive Leadership

John McLaughlin
Co-Founder

Mark Claypool
Co-Founder
Mark has been a leader in education for more than two decades and specializes in building learner-centered education models. During the course of his career, Mark has built more than 170 schools and programs in 20 states. He is a frequent speaker at education industry events and for years served as a sponsor and judge for the Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition. Mark has been named one of Nashville’s most admired CEOs and E&Y’s Entrepreneur of the Year for Social Responsibility in 2016. He also has written two books with co-founder John McLaughlin.
Mark began his career working as a child abuse investigator and foster child advocate for the state of Tennessee. In keeping with that, Galileo Prep will support the education of foster children as its charitable mission.

Clara Houin
Chief Financial Officer
Clara brings a diverse background in finance with over a decade of progressive experience ranging from sell-side equity research to mergers and acquisitions, to corporate financial planning and analysis. As CFO, Clara leads accounting, financial planning and reporting, capital formation, acquisitions, tax, treasury, and risk management. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance from Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
In her free time, Clara mentors young women in partnership with Rock The Street, Wall Street/Girls Rock Wall Street to promote diversity and inclusion in finance and is an active member of the Junior League of Nashville and several other women-led organizations in the Nashville area.

Josh Short
Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel
Josh is an attorney with expertise in compliance, regulatory proceedings, and trend and data analysis. He joins Galileo Education as Chief Human Resources Officer and General Counsel after serving public-facing, private organizations as general counsel and head of human resources for 10 years. Josh specializes in recruiting and working with high-value talent, who serve learners in the education and human services fields.