advocacy
LifeWise Academy
LifeWise Academy is an Ohio-based Christian educational program founded in 2018 by Joel Penton to provide off-site Bible education for public school students during school hours under released time laws, operating as a division of the nonprofit ministry Stand for Truth.
The record
- Founded
- 2018
- Founder
- Joel Penton, a former Ohio State defensive lineman LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
- Parent organization
- Division of the nonprofit ministry Stand for Truth, where Penton serves as executive director LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
- Scale
- By the 2025-26 school year, expected to serve approximately 100,000 students across 34 states, employing 1,600 staff members LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
- Largest FY2024 donation
- $13,168,399 from the donor-advised fund American Endowment Foundation LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
- Funding sources
- Local churches, private donors, and grants from organizations such as the National Christian Foundation LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
- Legal basis
- Operates under released time for religious instruction laws upheld in the 1952 US Supreme Court ruling Zorach v. Clauson LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
- Recognition
- In September 2025, the Heritage Foundation recognized LifeWise Academy with an Innovation Award LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
People
- Joel Penton, Founder of LifeWise Academy; Executive Director of Stand for Truth LifeWise Academy: Wikipedia
In our reporting
Sources: en.wikipedia.org