18
People who signed Lifewise's petition
Virginia is a
"No-Statute" state
| Location Map | Richmond, VA 23219 Richmond city |
| Lifewise Local Program Website | Link (opens in a new tab) |
| District Poverty Rate | 25.0% (data source) |
| Non-White Students | 88.4% (data source) |
| NCES Link | NCES District Info |
| Last Updated | March 4, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albert Hill Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| AMELIA STREET SP. ED. | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Armstrong High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Barack Obama Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Bellevue Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Binford Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Blackwell Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Broad Rock Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Cardinal Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Chimborazo Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Elizabeth D. Redd Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Fairfield Court Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Franklin Military Academy | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| G.h. Reid Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| George W. Carver Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| George Wythe High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Ginter Park Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Henderson Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Henry Marsh Iii Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Huguenot High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| J.b. Fisher Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| J.l. Francis Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| John B. Cary Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| John Marshall High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Linwood Holton Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Lucille M. Brown Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Martin Luther King Jr. Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Mary Munford Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Miles Jones Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Open High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Overby-Sheppard Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| REAL SPECIAL ED. CTR. | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| RICHMOND ACCELERATION PRGM. | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| RICHMOND ALTERNATIVE | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Richmond Community High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| RICHMOND TECHNICAL CENTER | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 2 | ||
| River City Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Southampton Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Swansboro Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| THIRTEEN ACRES SPECIAL ED. CTR. | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Thomas C. Boushall Middle | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Thomas Jefferson High | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| THRIVE | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Westover Hills Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| William Fox Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Woodville Elem | Step 1 | Collect 50 Signatures | 18 | ||
| Martin Luther King Jr Early Learning Center | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| Maymont Pre-K Center | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| Patrick Henry School Of Science And Arts | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| PRE-SCHOOL DEV. CENTER | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| Richmond Career Education & Employment (Charter School) | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| Summer Hill Preschool Center | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| THE GOVENORS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ACADEMY FOR STEM | Step 0 | No Progress | 0 | ||
| 830 |
| Title | Name | Active |
|---|
| Org Type | Org Name | Address | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise. | ||||
