National School Choice Week Kicks Off, with Survey Showing Parents Want Faith-Based Schools but Still Can’t Afford Them

Category: Featured Press

Author: Jacob Wachtel

LifeWise Academy is a Solution to Growing Demand for Bible-based Character Education During Public School Hours

(COLUMBUS, OH – January 27, 2025) As National School Choice Week is celebrated throughout the country this week, a new survey by the National School Choice Awareness Foundation reveals that 60% of U.S. parents searched for new schools for their kids last year, with 36% of them considering private or faith-based schools. 

Yet experts responding to survey results said that while many parents want private or faith-based schools for their child, they simply can’t afford them, even with the expansion of education savings accounts and school choice programs.

LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit providing Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under religious release time laws, is a simple and effective solution for public school families who want the freedom to incorporate faith in their child’s school day.

“LifeWise gives families the option to allow their children to continue to attend their current public school, while also learning character lessons from the Bible, such as respect, gratitude, obedience and patience,” said Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise Academy. “In this way, it is the perfect example of school choice, and families don’t have to leave their public school. What’s more is that any community has the ability to get a LifeWise program started in their area. Thousands of communities already have, which is a testament to the effectiveness and growing demand for our program.”

A survey conducted last year shows that 76% of Americans are in favor of teaching moral and character education to public school children. More than half support teaching public school students biblical values. A Thomas P. Miller study supports the positive impact of Bible-based character education, showing that students who participate in LifeWise have improved attendance and behavior. 

LifeWise Academy now serves 50,000 students across 29 states and is growing. Those interested in learning how to start a local LifeWise program should visit lifewise.org.

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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.

LifeWise Academy | PO Box 1179 Hilliard, OH 43026 | Copyright 2025