Bedford Co Pblc Schs
Step 10 of 10
Open for Enrollment (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

371

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Virginia is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Lifewise Enrollment
Location Map Bedford, VA 24523 Bedford County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 11.0% (data source)
Non-White Students 21.6% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 2026
Virginia 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 (19)
School Grades Period
Liberty Middle 6th, 7th, 8th
BEDFORD COUNTY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CENTER
Bedford Elem
Bedford Primary
Big Island Elem
Boonsboro Elem
Forest Elem
Goodview Elem
GOVERNOR'S HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY
Huddleston Elem
Liberty High
Montvale Elem
New London Academy Elem
Otter River Elem
Staunton River High
Staunton River Middle
Stewartsville Elem
SUSIE G. GIBSON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER
Thomas Jefferson Elem
18 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
371
January 20, 2026
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
372
December 17, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
371
December 4, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
370
December 2, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
369
October 21, 2025
Step 9
Execute the Plan
369
July 28, 2025
Step 8
Train Your Team
362
May 20, 2025
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
357
August 14, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
351
July 25, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
350
July 17, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
349
July 8, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
320
June 30, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
287
June 25, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
56
June 20, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
54
May 14, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
54
May 11, 2024
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
54
April 26, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
 
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