Rapides Parish
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People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Louisiana is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Alexandria, LA 71301 Rapides Parish
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 24.2% (data source)
Non-White Students 51.7% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated April 17, 2026
Louisiana State Law

There is no state statute regulating released time for religious instruction, federal rulings still apply. "No-Statute" states function in theory the same way as "May-Law" states. 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

States with no statute for released time religious instruction are treated like "may" states. Released time programs would need to request approval from the local school board. School districts should not allow a released time program to operate in the district without a specific released time policy.

The federal case laws that mandate how released time functions should be followed. Zorach vs Clauson states:

School districts in states without a statute mandating a released time policy can choose not to allow released time or to coordinate with religious organizations seeking to remove students from school during the school day.

School districts should always have a policy indicating whether they coordinate with released-time religious instruction programs. Not having a policy at all and leaving it up to the released time program should never be the operating standard. This will open the district up to misinterpretation of its intent.

It is suggested that parents approach the school board and request that a released time religious instruction policy be implemented, even before a religious program approaches the district.

This does not encompass all legal requirements, and other legal opinions may exist. Please use this as a guide only.

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 (50)
School Step Description Grades Period Signatures
D.f. Huddle ElementaryStep 1 45
J.b. Nachman Elementary SchoolStep 1 45
J.i. Barron Sr. Elementary SchoolStep 1 45
L.s. Rugg Elementary SchoolStep 1 45
Acadian ElementaryStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Alexandria Middle Magnet SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Alexandria Senior High SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Ball Elementary SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Buckeye Elementary SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Buckeye High SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Caroline Dormon Junior High SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Glenmora High SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Mary Goff Elementary SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Pineville Junior High SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Ruby-Wise Elementary SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Tioga Elementary SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Tioga High SchoolStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 45
Alma Redwine ElementaryStep 1 No Progress 45
Arthur F. Smith Middle Magnet SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Bolton High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Carter C. Raymond Junior High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Cherokee Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Forest Hill Junior High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Hayden R. Lawrence Upper Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Horseshoe Drive Elementary New Vision AcademyStep 1 No Progress 45
Jackson Head Start No Progress
Julius Patrick 6th Grade AcademyStep 1 No Progress 45
Lee Head Start No Progress
Lessie Moore Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Mabel Brasher MontessoriStep 1 No Progress 45
Martin Park Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
McKeithen Head Start No Progress
North Bayou Rapides ElementaryStep 1 No Progress 45
Northwood High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Oak Hill High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Paradise Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Peabody Magnet High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Peabody Montessori Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Phoenix Magnet Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Pineville Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Pineville High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Plainview High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Poland Junior High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Rapides Alternative Positive Program For StudentsStep 1 No Progress 7
Rapides High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Rapides Training AcademyStep 1 No Progress 45
Rosenthal Montessori Elementary SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
Scott M. Brame Middle SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
The Pines Head Start No Progress
Tioga Junior High SchoolStep 1 No Progress 45
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
17
April 17, 2026
 
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