133
People who signed Lifewise's petition
Virginia is a
"No-Statute" state
| Location Map | Chesterfield, VA 23832 Chesterfield County |
| Lifewise Local Program Website | Link (opens in a new tab) |
| District Poverty Rate | 8.0% (data source) |
| Non-White Students | 57.1% (data source) |
| NCES Link | NCES District Info |
| Last Updated | March 6, 2026 |
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:
- The public schools should be neutral. “School authorities are neutral in this regard, and do no more than release students whose parents so request.”
- No announcements in the school with regard to the released time program.
- Released time classes are held off of school property
- No public funds or employees are used to facilitate the released time program.
- Parents give their signed consent form to the administration.
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.
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.
Share With Others Click to share| School | Step | Description | Grades | Period | Signatures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A M Davis Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Alberta Smith Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Bailey Bridge Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Bellwood Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Bensley Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Bettie Weaver Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Beulah Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Bon Air Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| C C Wells Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| C E Curtis Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| CARVER COLLEGE AND CAREER ACADEMY | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Carver Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| CHESTERFIELD CO GOV'S HEALTH/SCIENCE ACADEMY | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Clover Hill Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Clover Hill High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Cosby High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Crestwood Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Ecoff Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Elizabeth Davis Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Elizabeth Scott Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Enon Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Ettrick Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Evergreen Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Falling Creek Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Falling Creek Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Grange Hall Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Greenfield Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Harrowgate Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Hopkins Road Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| J A Chalkley Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| J B Watkins Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| J G Hening Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Jacobs Road Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| James River High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Lloyd C Bird High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Manchester High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Manchester Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Marguerite F Christian Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Matoaca Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Matoaca High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Matoaca Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Meadowbrook High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Midlothian High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Midlothian Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Monacan High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| MOSELEY ELEM | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| O B Gates Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Old Hundred Elementary | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| PHOENIX CENTER | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Providence Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Providence Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Reams Road Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Robious Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Robious Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Salem Church Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Salem Church Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Spring Run Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Swift Creek Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Swift Creek Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Thelma Crenshaw Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Thomas Dale High | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Tomahawk Creek Middle | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| W W Gordon Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Winterpock Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| Woolridge Elem | Step 6 | Obtain School Approval | 131 | ||
| ACADEMY 360 | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| Ccpsonline | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| CHESTER EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING ACADEMY | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| CHESTERFIELD CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER AT HULL | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| CHESTERFIELD CAREER AND TECHNICAL CENTER AT COURTHOUSE | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| GOVERNORS CAREER AND TECHNICAL ACADEMY FOR ENGINEERING STUDI | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| 8515 |
| Title | Name | Active |
|---|
| Org Type | Org Name | Address | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise. | ||||
