ABOUT US: LIFEWISE AND LIFEWISE OLENTANGY

Launching LifeWise

LifeWise Academy is a Release Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) program which allows public school students to leave school during the school day to attend religious classes. This type of program is legal and supported by a 1952 Supreme Court ruling and Ohio law, provided the program meets three criteria: it must be held off school property, be privately funded, and have parental permission. LifeWise was started in 2018 in Van Wert, Ohio by founder and CEO, Joel Penton, to provide students with a foundation of faith-based education within their existing school schedules.

Launching LifeWise Olentangy

Phase 1: Building Community Interest (2020-2021)

The steering committee was formed to support the launch of LifeWise Olentangy. This committee collected signatures and worked with the school district to begin to launch LifeWise classes during school hours.

Phase 2: Obtaining School Approval (Spring 2021)

Jerry Johnson is named Program Director. The launch team obtained school approval by presenting the formal proposal to the Olentangy School Board, showcasing the three criteria (off-site, parental permission, no public funds), and securing the necessary policy updates to allow students to participate in religious instruction during the school day.

Phase 3: The Mission in Motion (Fall 2022 - Present)

The program officially launched in 3 elementary schools and we began serving 52 students weekly with the Word of God. As of the start of the 2026 school year, we are serving almost 1,000 students in 12 Elementary schools and 6 Middle schools. The program is currently offered in 18 of OLSD's 27 schools and continues to grow with God's will.

Our Host Churches

We are grateful for our local church partners who provide a home for LifeWise Olentangy and support our mission in the community.

Select here to learn more about our host churches!

Enrollment & Impact Statistics

Tracking our community growth and the increasing reach of Christ-centered release time instruction.

52 students to kick off the program in 2022

782 students at launch 2026 -2027 school year