About Agape Adventure Academy | St Louis Christian & Nature School
Agape Adventure Academy is a St Louis Christian nature school led by April Maura. Our story begins with a simple belief, that learning rooted in faith and adventure can raise courageous leaders.
Why I Started a St Louis Christian School
My journey in education began in first grade when I discovered my gift for teaching, playing pretend teacher with a chalkboard and stuffed animals. That passion continued through college at ASU, where I earned a degree in elementary education, enriched with a unique ESL endorsement. Immersed in non-traditional approaches like Montessori and project-based learning, I longed for a more unconventional educational environment that could nurture every aspect of a child.
Life’s path took me through diverse experiences—homeschooling six children, teaching in China, and exploring my artistic side through wedding photography. But everything shifted when my firstborn arrived. I embraced homeschooling, Montessori, and the Acton Academy philosophy, recognizing the vital importance of holistic education. This led me to life coaching, focusing on daily habits that extend beyond academics. This revelation ignited a passion within me to create something truly transformative—a place where children could grow not just academically, but in every facet of their being.
The Beginnings of a St Louis Nature School
And so, Little Leaders Academy was born—a Nature-Based Microschool right here in St. Louis. As I navigated the frustrations of the traditional school system, I envisioned a place that nurtures the whole child—heart, mind, body, and soul. Little Leaders Academy became that dream, offering a space where children develop an entrepreneurial spirit, embrace growth, and explore diverse learning approaches.
But as we’ve grown and evolved, so too has our identity. Today, we are excited to announce our rebranding from Little Leaders Academy to Agape Adventure Academy. This new name reflects our deeper mission: to develop the whole child, rooted in Christian values, and to provide an environment where every child can flourish—mind, body, heart, and soul.
Now, as Agape Adventure Academy, we continue our commitment to nature-based and holistic education. With a fresh start in our new space within a church, we are ready to welcome more families into our community. Here, nature is more than just a backdrop; it’s the classroom without walls where children learn and grow.
Our Mission at Agape Adventure Academy
In January 2020, God placed a calling on my heart that changed everything. With His guidance, I opened the doors of this school in February 2020, just weeks before the pandemic altered the world. By God’s grace, I’ve faithfully led this school, witnessing incredible growth in our learners. And now, as we move forward under our new name, I am filled with excitement for this new chapter.
Agape Adventure Academy is now enrolling for Fall 2026/27 for pre-kindergarten through 6th grade. Join us on this incredible journey, where faith, nature, and a holistic approach to education come together to create future leaders. At Agape Adventure Academy, nature isn’t just a place to visit—it’s home. Learn more and apply at agapeadventureacademy.com.
Meet the Agape Team
Denny — Co-Founder & Guide
Denny is a co-founder of Agape Adventure Academy and has a deep passion for transformation, leadership, and helping young people discover who God created them to be. He believes education should develop the whole child—spiritually, intellectually, physically, relationally, and practically—and that children are capable of becoming confident, courageous leaders when they are given meaningful responsibility, strong mentorship, and opportunities to grow.
Denny earned his degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University and brings years of entrepreneurial experience into the Agape community. He is also part of Warrior Week, a leadership and personal development community focused on growth across every area of life. His experience working with children includes serving at the YMCA and a Christian summer camp, along with years of coaching, mentoring, and building businesses.
As a father of two Agape learners and husband to April, Denny loves sharing his passion for entrepreneurship, adventure, leadership, and Christ-centered personal growth with the next generation.
Paula — Guide
Paula is a Guide for Agape’s youngest learners and loves watching children discover new things, develop confidence, and realize what they are capable of. Becoming a mother herself has given her an even greater appreciation for the wonder of early childhood and the privilege of being a trusted adult alongside children as they learn and grow.
Paula graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a major in Psychology and a minor in Educational Studies. She has four years of experience teaching classical guitar to students ages five and up and also coached beginner and intermediate youth rock climbing teams at Upper Limits while in college.
She is especially drawn to hands-on, learner-driven environments where children can explore, ask questions, move, create, and develop at their own pace. Outside of Agape, Paula loves music, food, rock climbing, spending time outdoors, and adventures with her family and young son.
Shelly — Guide
As a homeschool mom for the past five years, she has experienced firsthand the value of giving children room to explore, grow in confidence, and take ownership of their learning. In addition to teaching her own children, she teaches physical education through her homeschool co-op and brings a love of movement, community, and hands-on learning to Agape.
Her experience with children also includes working with CCLS preschool summer camp, substitute teaching in CCLS Early Childhood, and providing childcare through her church’s weekly women’s Bible study.
At Agape, she is especially excited to help cultivate an environment where children are curious, confident, and increasingly capable of leading themselves and serving others. She looks forward to watching each learner discover new strengths and grow as a leader throughout the year.
Outside of teaching, she can often be found in a gym watching volleyball or spending time outdoors with her family.
Taylor — Guide
Taylor brings a genuine love for children and the unique personalities, creativity, and imagination they bring into the world. Her experience with children includes working in daycare, serving as a nanny, and, most importantly, being a mother herself.
She loves having the opportunity to walk alongside children as they discover new interests, develop confidence, ask bigger questions, and grow into who God created them to be. At Agape, Taylor is excited to help create an environment where learners feel known, encouraged, and continually challenged to become more curious, capable, and confident.
Taylor also has a creative side and especially enjoys writing poetry—she published her own poetry book last year. Above all, her favorite way to spend her time is with her daughter, who is also part of the Agape community. She is excited to grow alongside the children and families who make Agape such a special place.
Growing Faith, Courage and Curiosity
As a mom with over 12 years of guiding children’s development and education, let me spill the beans on what makes our St Louis nature-based Microschool a true gem. We’re not just about nature; we’re rooted in it. Whether it’s winter chill or summer warmth, we’re outside, soaking up the world’s wonders. Our meals happen al fresco, story times unfold under the open sky, and we even turn academics into an outdoor sushi-making adventure. Because let’s be real, life is just better outdoors. But it’s not just about the great outdoors; it’s about nurturing habits that last a lifetime. Daily affirmations, mindful breathing, and a sprinkle of crossfit. We’re all about blending the wonder of Montessori and Reggio-Emilia, adding a touch of Waldorf storytelling with props. STEM and Spanish? Oh, yes, they’re on our regular menu. Culture and entrepreneurial skills take center stage here. We jet-set to a new country each month, transforming our backyard into a global lab. Our learners become financial wizards, running their shops from concept to customer service. It’s not just education; it’s a hands-on journey through the world. In our learning community, connection trumps performance. We believe magic happens when a child and a guide truly connect. Emotions? We welcome them, embrace them, and make space for them because learning is as much about the heart as it is about the mind. Now, here’s the cherry on top. With a background in owning a wedding photography company and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit, I weave my photography skills into being a content creator. Why? To bring the best Montessori and nature-based goodies to our little learners. And finally, a massive shoutout to our incredible learning community. Your trust, your smiles, and your support fuel our journey. I’m immensely grateful for this path, for finding my calling, and for parents who believe in a holistic learning experience for their precious leaders.
Book a Personal Tour
Families across St Louis are rediscovering what education can be. Schedule a tour of Agape Adventure Academy, a Christian nature school where faith and curiosity grow side-by-side. Schedule here.
As we continue to nurture and refine our educational offerings, I'm thrilled to share the exciting news about the next phase of our journey at Little Leaders Academy.
Our St Louis Christian Nature School Expansion | Embracing Growth, Preserving Intimacy
Our brand-new location at the Episcopal Church of the Advent (9373 Garber Rd, Sappington, MO 63126), with its proximity to Whitecliff Park in Crestwood, is indeed a source of great excitement. Kindly note, while we are relocating and leasing their space, we remain independent and are not affiliated with the church. What captivates me most about this location is its proximity to Whitecliff Park in Crestwood (just 4 minutes from our current location). Imagine the enriching forest days and the plethora of opportunities it presents for our children to explore, discover, and learn!
Here's a glimpse of what awaits:
Outdoor Oasis: Utilizing the expansive outdoor space at this location, we aim to immerse our learners in nature's wonders, fostering a deep connection with the world around them.
Playground Paradise: A new, state-of-the-art nature playscape is in the works, designed to inspire imagination, exploration, and unbridled joy.
Garden Growth: Our budding garden will be a hands-on classroom, teaching our young leaders about sustainability, patience, and the miracles of nature.
Expanding Our Family: While our family grows, our commitment to maintaining a close-knit community remains steadfast. We are excited to welcome more families and learners into our fold, ensuring each child benefits from personalized attention, thanks to our continued emphasis on maintaining a favorable guide-to-learner ratio.
Team Expansion for Enhanced Guidance
To ensure every child receives the attention and mentorship they deserve, we're excited to welcome a few more Guides to our passionate team. This addition will further personalize the learning journey, making the whole experience even more enriching and efficient.
Benefits of This Expansion:
- Enhanced Outdoor Learning: A larger outdoor space means more hands-on nature experiences, encouraging curiosity and fostering a love for the environment.
- Personalized Attention: With a few more Guides onboard, each child will benefit from tailored guidance fostered by my leadership, ensuring holistic development.
Our Vision & Growth Plan:
Our aspiration is clear: a nurturing environment where learners thrive under the guidance of dedicated guides
Looking ahead, our vision extends to gradually expanding our offerings. The roadmap includes introducing grades up to high school age, though this will be a thoughtfully paced journey to ensure quality and alignment with our core values.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Agape Adventure Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships, or school programs.