LifeWise Academy Expands Rapidly Across PauldingCounty, Serving Hundreds of Students
LifeWise Academy in Paulding County announced continued growth following a banner 2025-2026 school year marked by strong local demand and expanding participation in Bible-based character education programs.
In Paulding County, LifeWise served 1,317 students during the 2025-2026 school year across all three school districts, reflecting significant growth as more families see the benefits of released time religious instruction.
“Families are clearly looking for ways to support character development and address the many challenges that children face today,” said Traci Koenig, Program Director for LifeWise Academy Paulding County. “We are seeing tremendous momentum as our community comes together to offer students the opportunity to engage with the Bible during school hours.”
Highlights from LifeWise in Paulding County during the 2025-2026 school year include:
• 1,317 students served across 3 school districts
• Wayne Trace Local Schools – 496 students
• Paulding Exempted Village Schools – 600 students
• Antwerp Local Schools – 221 students
• Partnered with 44 supporting churches
• 126 local volunteers dedicated their time to support the students and program operations
New national polling of public-school parents and educators shows overwhelming support for Bible-based character education as a solution to the growing behavioral and mental health challenges facing today’s students.
The survey of 1,000 public school parents and 200 public school educators across the country was conducted by Scott Rasmussen’s RMG Research.
Among the poll’s findings:
• Nearly 90% favor teaching moral and character education to public school students
• Nearly 70% say voluntary, off-campus Bible-based character education programs would be helpful for their child’s school
• Over 85% would favor a released time religious instruction program if it were offered
“Families across Paulding County are looking for solutions that help students build strong character, purpose and values,” said Traci Koenig. “The overwhelming support reflected in this polling mirrors what we are seeing in our area — parents and educators want students to have access to positive moral and character education opportunities, and LifeWise is helping meet that demand.”
About LifeWise Academy:
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1952 that public school students could receive religious instruction during the school day so long as it is off school property, privately funded and parent-permitted.
Thirty-one states have laws clarifying the practice of released time for religious instruction.
Since launching in 5 Ohio schools in 2019, LifeWise Academy has grown to more than 1,000 schools across 37 states — and 11,640% increase in participation. To date, LifeWise has served more than 100,000.
LifeWise Academy is a nonprofit that provides Bible education to public school students during school hours under released time religious instruction laws. Hundreds of communities have launched local LifeWise programs through a 10-step process that begins with collecting community signatures at lifewise.org.
