LifeWise Academy

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LifeWise Academy is an American educational program founded in 2018 as a free program that provides evangelical Bible education for public school students during school hours under released time laws.[1]

About[edit]

LifeWise Academy was founded in 2018 by Joel Penton, a former Ohio State defensive lineman,[2][3] as a division of his nonprofit ministry Stand for Truth.[4] The organization was inspired by the weekday religious education program in his hometown of Van Wert, Ohio, in 2012.[2] It is a division of a division of Stand for Truth that promotes Christianity in public schools.[5]

The organization is based in Hilliard, Ohio. As of 2023, the organization anticipates operating in 300 schools across 11 states including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.[2][6] As of 2024, 30,000 students are enrolled in the program.[5]

Penton has said released-time programs are the "single greatest missed opportunity to impact the next generation of public school students with Biblical literacy" and the organization has "received far less resistance than we anticipated."[6] LifeWise Academy programs receive funding from local churches,[7] private donors[4] and businesses such as Patriot Mobile, bringing in $6.5 million in fiscal year 2023.[8]

Programming[edit]

LifeWise Academy operates under released time for religious instruction laws which were upheld in the 1952 US Supreme Court ruling, Zorach v. Clauson.[1][9] This ruling allowed a school district to allow students to leave school for part of the day to receive religious instruction.[9] However, three requirements needed to be met: classes are off school property; it's privately funded; and students participate with the permission of their parents.[2] Release time programs are traditionally locally run and managed, whereas LifeWise Academy is a franchise model working with local steering committees to advocate for the program in their districts, including running for school board.[8]

Programs are staffed by a director, teachers and volunteers, who help transport students and assist in classrooms as needed, paid by LifeWise Academy.[1] Teachers are required background checks, two years of classroom experience (in either a school or church), and agree with the organization's statement of faith.[7]

LifeWise Academy's curriculum is based on The Gospel Project, a Bible study program produced by LifeWay Christian Resources[10] designed for elementary schools as a five-year program covering the full Bible.[1] High school programs offer high school or college credits. In Ohio, the instruction can't take place during a “core curriculum” subject,[1] often meeting at the same time as art or music classes, library periods, or during lunch.[7]

Opposition[edit]

Implementing LifeWise programs have divided communities with parents feeling it was inappropriate for public schools to implement religious studies.[11][12] Other concerns include children unenrolled in the program would not receive instruction during the time other students attend LifeWise's programs and the program is unequitable for children of other faiths.[13]

In 2021, Catholic leaders expressed concerns with the Protestant-oriented LifeWise Academy urging parishioners not to participate in or financially support the program, fearing the LifeWise curriculum could draw children away from the tenets of their Catholic faith.[14]

In 2023, objection letters were dispatched to around 600 school districts in Ohio by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), expressing concerns about the endorsement of LifeWise's released-time Bible classes.[15] The organization had been contacted by Ohioans concerned about how large-scale released time religious programs can negatively impact educational goals and that students have a First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination.[16][17] The organization highlighted a LifeWise goal to convert students, and reported a claim that a student not participating in the program was assigned additional homework.[18] Following the objection letters, Ohio Attorney General David Yost released a statement reaffirming his stance of the legality of LifeWise programs as long as they follow Ohio law.[19][12][20]

School districts with LifeWise programs[edit]

Below is a partial list of school districts who have implemented LifeWise programs:

Ohio[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Serrao, Katie Ellington (September 5, 2023). "LifeWise Academy expanding through Richland County". Richland Source. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Saunders, Jeff. "'Give them hope': How Bible study is becoming part of the day for some public school kids". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  3. ^ "Former Ohio State defensive lineman Joel Penton". The Columbus Dispatch. October 4, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Corvo, A. Kevin. "LifeWise Academy seeks policy to allow off-site religious programming for Hilliard students". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Behrens, Cole (April 29, 2024). "LifeWise taking over Hilliard scuba facility as religious nonprofit sees rapid growth". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Gryboski, Michael (August 17, 2023). "Bible class program for public schools sees exponential growth heading into new academic year". The Christian Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c McClory, Eileen; Blizzard, Nick (February 7, 2024). "Effort promoting Bible education during school day growing locally: Here's how it works". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Hixenbaugh, Mike (March 25, 2024). "How an Ohio group is bringing God back to public school". NBC News. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952).
  10. ^ "LifeWise Sample Curriculum.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Siefert, Kate (September 12, 2022). "Hilliard School board approved religious release policy, discusses LGBTQ badges". WSYX. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Hancock, Aimee (December 4, 2023). "Religious education program wants to expand into Huber Heights schools". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e Walsh, Maeve (September 21, 2022). "Some central Ohio schools let students off-campus for Bible-based education". NBC4.
  14. ^ a b Roberts, Judy (June 14, 2021). "Are Evangelicals' 'Released Time for Religion' Programs a Threat to Catholic Formation?". National Catholic Register. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  15. ^ Gryboski, Michael (September 1, 2023). "Atheist group urges Ohio school districts to reject off-campus Bible class program". The Christian Post. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  16. ^ Fletcher, Gregory. "FFRF urges all Ohio school districts: Don't allow released time bible study - Freedom From Religion Foundation". ffrf.org. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  17. ^ "Constitutional concerns regarding LifeWise Academy bible study program" (PDF). August 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Henry, Megan (February 29, 2024). "LifeWise Academy offers off-site Bible instruction at various school districts across Ohio • Ohio Capital Journal". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  19. ^ a b c "Letter from David Yost to Paul Craft, Superintendent at Buckeye Valley Local" (PDF). November 1, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  20. ^ "OPINION NO. 2019-015" (PDF). April 17, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Lifewise Academy to offer college courses". The VanWert independent. April 8, 2021. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  22. ^ "LifeWise donation". The Crescent News. December 5, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  23. ^ Klemann, Mackenzi (March 25, 2021). "What is LifeWise Academy? Christian Bible school expanding its reach with public-school students". LimaOhio.com. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  24. ^ Corvo, A. Kevin (September 12, 2022). "Hilliard students permitted to receive off-site religious instruction during school day". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  25. ^ "Elida Local - OH". LifeWise Academy. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  26. ^ Klemann, Mackenzi (March 19, 2021). "LifeWise Academy coming to Elida". LimaOhio.com. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  27. ^ a b c d e Corvo, A. Kevin. "LifeWise Academy seeks policy to allow off-site religious programming for Hilliard students". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  28. ^ Miller, Abigail (August 10, 2022). "Nonprofit-ministry LifeWise Academy to launch at Greenville City Schools this fall". Darke County Now. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  29. ^ "Schools introduce Lifewise". Morrow County Sentinel. October 25, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  30. ^ McClory, Eileen. "Bible study during school day offered to local public districts". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  31. ^ "LifeWise Academy expands - Delaware Gazette". www.delgazette.com. September 9, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
  32. ^ "PPEC members donate $13,044 to 8 local organizations". www.hometownstations.com. November 20, 2023. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  33. ^ Cain, Jesse (September 28, 2023). "St. Clairsville's Lifewise Academy expands, offering Bible education to four grades on the 'Big Red Bus'". WTOV Steubenville. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  34. ^ Bowman, Nancy (October 25, 2023). "Lifewise religious education site near Tipp City school upheld on appeal". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Whitehall City - OH". LifeWise Academy. Retrieved September 13, 2022.

External links[edit]

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