More than 40% of Ohio school districts have active LifeWise Academy chapters, with more on the way
A Secular Education Association organizer says students who opt out face bullying and isolation, comparing the program's spread to cancer.
LifeWise Academy
Ohio men previously involved with LifeWise Academy charged with sex crimes involving minors
The cases surface safety questions about LifeWise's vetting, which operates in 331 Ohio school districts and enrolls nearly 100,000 students nationwide.
3 former LifeWise affiliates charged with sex crimes against minors in Ohio cases
The cases renew scrutiny of LifeWise's background-check standards as the program prepares to launch in Tiffin City Schools this fall.
Freedom From Religion Foundation asks Ohio school district to stop religious time on school property
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking Elmwood Local Schools to stop allowing LifeWise Academy to operate on district property during the school day, citing constitutional concerns.
LifeWise Academy raised more than $39 million last year, but profit dropped to $11.1 million
LifeWise Academy raised $39.2 million in fiscal year 2024-25 but saw profits drop $6 million. The controversial religious program now operates in 260+ Ohio school districts after spending $208K on lobbying.
More on LifeWise Academy
More than 100 Ohio school districts add LifeWise Academy in 2025 after religious release law passed
LifeWise Academy now operates in more than 260 Ohio school districts after a new release-time law, but parents and advocates warn of bullying, religious pressure, and conflicts with family beliefs as the program rapidly expands.
LifeWise’s big red bus is driving thorny questions about church and state
As LifeWise Academy grows in Ohio schools, parents and educators raise concerns about student pressure, lost class time, and blurred church–state boundaries, even as lawmakers push mandatory access for religious instruction.
LifeWise Academy Ohio programs take trips to Kentucky museums that promote young Earth creationism
At least nearly a dozen LifeWise Academy Ohio programs have taken public school students on field trips to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter in Kentucky, which claims humans lived alongside dinosaurs and the Earth is only 6,000 years old.
Ohio lawmakers move to override local control and mandate mix of religion with public school time
Funny how Republicans running red states have done a 180 on indoctrination of students in public schools — as long…
Westerville school board rescinds religious release policy: What’s next for LifeWise Academy?
Westerville City Schools Board of Education voted 4-0 last week to end a religious release time policy that allowed LifeWise…
How Project 2025’s education policies mirror Ohio bills and universal private school vouchers
From universal private school vouchers to stripping away diversity and inclusion requirements, censoring classrooms, and targeting LGBTQ students — some…
