Rio Rancho Public Schools
Step 9 of 10
Execute the Plan (Step Descriptions)
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.

Location
Map
RIO RANCHO, NM 87124 Sandoval County
Signatures 69
Lifewise Website Lifewise Website
District Poverty Rate 13.2% (data source)
Non-White Students 72.6% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated October 17, 2025
Enrollment Stats
School Enrollment
202 students

All students in grades open to enroll in Lifewise

Lifewise Enrollment
Not known
School/district enrollment numbers from https://nces.ed.gov/ccd/schoolsearch/
Lifewise enrollment numbers come from social media, newsletters, press, and public record requests. Contact RPS with enrollment numbers.
School Buildings and Grades
School Grades Period
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
State Law and School Board Policy
School District Policy
Policy Notes
New Mexico State Law School districts may allow students to be released for religious study, but they may also not allow it.
Law Notes
Lifewise Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active
Director Michelle Gonzales michellegonzales@lifewise.org Yes
Teacher Brandon Bennett Yes
Teacher Jonathan Martinez Yes

LifeWise Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 9
Execute the Plan
69
January 4, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
66
December 31, 2024
Step 8
Train Your Team
66
October 7, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
0
July 26, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
62
July 22, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
62
June 20, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
56
June 15, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
56
June 1, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
56
May 17, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
55
May 14, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
51
May 11, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
13
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
April 4, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
March 25, 2024
 
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.



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Contact Info
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