Richmond City Pblc Schs
Step 1 of 10
Collect 50 Signatures (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

18

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Virginia is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

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
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.

Share With Others Click to Copy Click to share
Schools in the District (54)
School Step Description Grades Period Signatures
Albert Hill MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
AMELIA STREET SP. ED.Step 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Armstrong HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Barack Obama ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Bellevue ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Binford MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Blackwell ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Broad Rock ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Cardinal ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Chimborazo ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Elizabeth D. Redd ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Fairfield Court ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Franklin Military AcademyStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
G.h. Reid ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
George W. Carver ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
George Wythe HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Ginter Park ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Henderson MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Henry Marsh Iii ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Huguenot HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
J.b. Fisher ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
J.l. Francis ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
John B. Cary ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
John Marshall HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Linwood Holton ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Lucille M. Brown MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Martin Luther King Jr. MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Mary Munford ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Miles Jones ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Oak Grove-Bellemeade ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Open HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Overby-Sheppard ElemStep 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 ALTERNATIVEStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Richmond Community HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
RICHMOND TECHNICAL CENTERStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 2
River City MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Southampton ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Swansboro ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
THIRTEEN ACRES SPECIAL ED. CTR.Step 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Thomas C. Boushall MiddleStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Thomas Jefferson HighStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
THRIVEStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Westover Hills ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
William Fox ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Woodville ElemStep 1 Collect 50 Signatures 18
Martin Luther King Jr Early Learning CenterStep 0 No Progress 0
Maymont Pre-K CenterStep 0 No Progress 0
Patrick Henry School Of Science And ArtsStep 0 No Progress 0
PRE-SCHOOL DEV. CENTERStep 0 No Progress 0
Richmond Career Education & Employment (Charter School)Step 0 No Progress 0
Summer Hill Preschool CenterStep 0 No Progress 0
THE GOVENORS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION ACADEMY FOR STEMStep 0 No Progress 0
44 schools not shown
830
Show/Hide All Schools
Local Personel Download All Lifewise Personel List
Title Name Email Active

Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
18
February 14, 2026
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
16
February 3, 2026
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
15
January 18, 2026
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
14
January 17, 2026
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
13
January 15, 2026
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
12
December 20, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
November 29, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
November 19, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
November 13, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
7
November 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
October 25, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
5
September 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
July 23, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
December 13, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
May 1, 2024
Step 0
No Progress
0
March 17, 2024
 
Associated Organizations
Org Type Org Name Address Website
Submit churches, businesses and non-profits that support Lifewise.

 



Respect Public Schools
Contact Info
keithc@respectpublicschools.com
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2026
Paid for by Keith Comer