Berrien Springs Public Schools
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State Law

Michigan is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI 49103 Berrien County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 13.4% (data source)
Non-White Students 42.5% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 2026
Michigan State Law

School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

380.1561 Compulsory attendance at public school; enrollment dates; exceptions.
Sec. 1561.

(3) A child is not required to attend a public school in any of the following cases:
(d) The child is regularly enrolled in a public school while in attendance at religious instruction classes for not more than 2 class hours per week, off public school property during public school hours, upon written request of the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis.

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

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Schools in the District (20)
School Grades Period
Berrien Springs Discovery Academy
Berrien Springs High School
Berrien Springs Middle School
Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
Link Learning EdmoreMontabellaVestaburg
Link Learning Escanaba
Link Learning Grand Rapids Alger Heights
Link Learning Grand Rapids Fuller Ave
Link Learning Howard CityTri County
Link Learning Kenowa Hills
Link Learning Lakeview
Link Learning Menominee
Link Learning Merrill
Link Learning Schoolcraft
Link Learning St Louis
Link Learning StantonCentral Montcalm
Mars Elementary School
Sylvester Elementary School
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek HS
West Michigan Virtual Battle Creek MS
10 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
7
November 13, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
June 15, 2025
Step 1
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4
May 20, 2025
Step 1
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3
March 29, 2025
Step 1
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2
February 5, 2025
Step 1
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1
July 31, 2024
Step 0
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0
March 17, 2024
 
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