This month, we’re proud to highlight an inspiring Dad of the Month who is making a real impact in the Cypress community. Meet Arturo Neto, owner and operator of Lightbridge Academy Cypress and a dedicated father who’s passionate about creating a nurturing, high-quality early learning environment for local families.

In this special feature, Arturo shares a personal letter about why he chose to open a preschool right here in Cypress, how the decision has shaped his family, and what it means to serve the community through education and care.

His story is full of heart, purpose, and vision—and it’s one you won’t want to miss.

👇 Read Arturo’s heartfelt story below and see how one local dad is helping build a brighter future for our youngest learners.

Why I Chose to Open a Preschool in Cypress—And What It Means to My Family

Hi, I’m Arturo Neto—a Towne Lake dad, husband, and soon-to-be preschool owner here in Cypress. And while I never imagined I’d be writing something like this a few years ago, I want to share the personal journey that led me and my family to open a preschool, and why it means so much to us.

Back in 2020, our family was hit with a tough challenge—my wife, Liz, was diagnosed with breast cancer. At that moment, our perspective on everything shifted. We realized that our income, our careers, our day-to-day lives were all built around what our intellectual capital —skills, experience, and effort that were entirely dependent on us being ‘present’. But if something happened to either of us, that could all disappear, as is the case for many other hard working parents. 

I started looking for a new kind of opportunity. One that could support our family even if we couldn’t be hands-on every day. That search eventually led me to the idea of opening a franchise, specifically, a preschool.

We live in a growing, vibrant community here in Cypress, and I couldn’t help but notice how many families, just like ours, were looking for trustworthy early childhood education. And honestly, what really pushed me in this direction was watching our daughter, Maya, thrive in her own preschool experience. The social confidence, curiosity, and communication she gained in those early years shaped who she is now.

Over the years, I started noticing something. When we’d meet kids who were a little less confident socially, or who struggled to express themselves, we’d ask their parents where they went to preschool. The answer? Many hadn’t. They stayed home with a parent or grandparent. And while that can absolutely be full of love and there are philosophies that highlight the benefits of doing so, it often lacks the structured learning and social environment that preschool provides – and for our family at least, that’s what we wanted, and we knew other families are looking for the same. 

So I spent nine months researching every preschool franchise I could find. Some required the owner to be there full time—something that didn’t work for us. Others didn’t have locations available in Cypress.
Then I found Lightbridge Academy, and everything clicked.

When I visited their home office in New Jersey, I felt like I had found the right fit. Their Circle of Care philosophy felt exactly like the way we live our lives. At the center is the child—just like Maya is the center of our world. Around that child are the parents, teachers, owners, and the community—all working together to raise happy, confident little humans.

One of their core values is “the pursuit of continuous improvement,” and that really resonated with me. I believe we can all get a little better every day—whether it’s being kinder, more patient, or learning something new. That’s the kind of environment I want to create for the children and families in our community.

After searching for just the right spot, I’m excited to share that we’ll be opening our preschool this fall on Barker Cypress Road, across from the Berry Center. It’s more than a school to us—it’s our way of giving back, of building something lasting for our daughter, and for the families around us.

If you’re curious about what we’re building, I’d love to invite you to stop by! Our Center Director and Assistant Director are already on-site and would be happy to meet you. We’re set up in a mobile office right in front of the school—come by, say hello, and get a sneak peek at what’s to come. We’d love to hear what you’re looking for in a preschool and share how we hope to support you and your little one.

Thanks for letting me share our story. I hope to meet many of you soon!

Warmly,
Arturo Neto
Parent, Local Business Owner, and Soon-to-Be Preschool Operator

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