Meet the People Behind Horizon Prep

Horizon Prep is led by educators and ministry-minded professionals who are committed to academic excellence, Christ-centered formation, and the flourishing of every student.

From school leadership to classroom teachers and support staff, our team works together to create a school community where students are known personally, challenged appropriately, and encouraged to grow in wisdom, character, and confidence.

Founder & President
Lead Pastor of Horizon Church

Dr. Bob Botsford

Horizon Prep began in 2000 as Horizon Christian Preschool, a ministry of Horizon Church, with a heart to provide an academically excellent and biblically based education to the community. Under Pastor Bob Botsford’s leadership, the school has grown into a Preschool–12th Grade classical Christian school serving students at every stage of development.

Today, that founding vision continues: to educate the whole student within a Christian context and prepare students spiritually, academically, socially, and physically for a life of opportunity and service.

Head of Schools

MATT DAVIS

For more than 20 years, Matt Davis has served the Horizon Prep community as both a teacher and Upper School Principal. During that time, he has built strong relationships, earned trust across the church and school community, and helped shape the academic and spiritual culture that makes Horizon Prep distinct.

As Head of Schools, Matt leads with a deep understanding of Horizon Prep’s mission, students, faculty, and classical Christian identity. His leadership reflects a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and the continued flourishing of the school community.

Grammar & Early Education Principal

MICHELE CHAPMAN

Michele Chapman’s career in Christian education began in the classroom, where her love for teaching grew into a calling to help students flourish academically and spiritually. Her experience as a teacher and Early Education leader, combined with advanced study in educational administration, has shaped her commitment to supporting students, teachers, and families well.

As Grammar & Early Education Principal, Michele leads with a deep understanding of how children grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. She is passionate about creating an environment where students are known personally, challenged appropriately, and encouraged to develop confidence, character, a lifelong love of learning, and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Logic & Rhetoric Principal

Mary Mitchell

Mary Mitchell came to education with a missionary heart, originally preparing to teach as a way to serve in hard-to-reach places around the world. At Horizon Prep, she began as a middle school math and science teacher, later taught high school math and Student Leadership, and helped develop the School of Rhetoric’s Prefecture leadership program before moving into administration.

As Logic & Rhetoric Principal, Mary leads students through some of their most formative years. She is passionate about creating a culture where students feel known, valued, and connected while learning to think for themselves, form convictions, develop an authentic faith, articulate what they believe, and live those convictions with confidence.

Early Education Director

Jenn Amerine

Jenn Amerine’s path to Early Education was shaped through years of serving students, children, and families. Before coming to Horizon Prep, she spent 18 years in university residential life, including 13 years in leadership, before stepping away to raise her daughters and serve through children’s ministry and community programs.

As Early Education Director, Jenn oversees Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten while supporting the teachers who guide students through these formative years. She is passionate about creating an environment where children feel safe, loved, and known while developing confidence, independence, curiosity, kindness, and a growing understanding that they are uniquely created and deeply loved by God.

Director of Admissions

Lauren KAESE

Lauren Kaese first came to Horizon Prep as a parent after becoming part of the Horizon Church community and enrolling her own children at the school. After experiencing Horizon Prep firsthand as a parent, she joined the staff in 2020 and now brings that personal perspective into her work with prospective and current families.

As Director of Admissions, Lauren oversees admissions and registrar services and guides families through tours, applications, enrollment, and transition into the school. She is passionate about making the admissions experience welcoming, clear, and personal while helping families understand what makes Horizon Prep distinctive and determine whether the school is the right fit for their child. Contact Lauren

Director of Athletics

Steve Kaese

Steve Kaese’s path to Horizon Prep athletics brings together two significant seasons of his life. After years in the golf industry as a PGA professional, he felt called into ministry and spent a decade serving as Children’s Pastor at Horizon Church. As Director of Athletics, Steve now combines his experience in competition, development, and ministry to help shape an athletics program centered on excellence, relationships, and student growth.

Steve oversees athletics across Logic, Rhetoric, and Little Lions and believes competition provides a powerful setting for students to develop character, discipline, relationships, and resilience. He is passionate about helping students grow in character, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership while creating an experience that meets athletes where they are, whether they are competing for the first time or pursuing opportunities at the next level.