LifeWise Academy Wins Prestigious Heritage Innovation Prize for Empowering Parental Choice Through Release Time Religious Instruction

Released Time Religious Instruction a Solution for Parents who Want Character-Based Bible Instruction Incorporated into Public School Day

(COLUMBUS, OH – June 3, 2025) LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit providing Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under religious release time laws, has been named a winner of the 2025 Heritage Foundation’s Innovation Prize. Heritage awards the Innovation Prizes to financially support innovative solutions to the most pressing issues facing America

“Decades ago, religious education was systematically removed from our public schools,” said Derek Stemen, LifeWise Vice President of Advancement, upon acceptance of the award at a ceremony held today at The Heritage Foundation. “We provide Bible education to public school students during school hours thanks to a little known Supreme Court ruling. We’ve created a plug-and-play model to do this. We’re now in nearly 1,000 communities across 33 states and we’re seeing incredible results. Attendance is up in school districts that implement our program and they’re seeing decreases in out-of-school suspensions. Most importantly, students’ and families’ lives are being transformed by the hope of Jesus Christ.”

According to a recent poll, 78 percent of American voters support teaching moral and character education to public school students and more than two-thirds want that education to be based on the Bible. The results show that demand for Bible-based character education is high at a time when behavioral issues in classrooms have become increasingly problematic. The poll also shows that nearly 60% of voters believe that behavior and discipline in schools have gotten worse.

“Teachers and parents know that behavioral issues disrupt classroom learning, a problem that has become more challenging in recent years,” said Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise. “LifeWise has been an antidote to that issue, and has had a transformational impact on kids and families. That’s why there’s been a robust movement across America to incorporate Bible-based character education into the public school day. We’re honored to receive an Innovation Prize and encourage families to visit lifewise.org to find out how they can get involved and start LifeWise chapters in their communities.” 

KEY FACTS ABOUT RELEASED TIME FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION (RTRI):

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1952 that public school students could receive religious instruction during the school day so long as it is off school property, privately funded and parent-permitted.
• Research by Thomas P. Miller and Associates in 2023 found that schools with LifeWise RTRI programs reported notable enhancements in student conduct, academic engagement and school morale.
• Thirty-nine states have laws clarifying the practice of released time for religious instruction. Twelve states require school boards to adopt RTRI policies for off-site religious instruction, while eleven states have RTRI legislation pending.

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About LifeWise Academy: LifeWise Academy is a nonprofit that provides Bible education to public school students during school hours under released time religious instruction laws. Hundreds of communities have launched local LifeWise programs through a 10-step process that begins with collecting community signatures at lifewise.org.