Westfield Washington Schools provides clarity on off-site religious education

Westfield Washington Schools officials have received questions concerning students at Shamrock Springs Elementary participating in religious instruction through the LifeWise Academy.

LifeWise Academy partners with parents in this endeavor, not WWS; WWS is not associated with LifeWise Academy, and LifeWise Academy personnel will have no interaction with any students within WWS schools.

Indiana’s House Enrolled Act 1137, passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2024, requires public schools to allow students to receive religious instruction offsite during the school day. The law allows students to leave school for up to 120 minutes per week for religious instruction. The instruction must be voluntary, take place off school property, provide private transportation, and not use public money.

The law specifically states, “The principal shall work in a collaborative manner with the parent or entity offering religious instruction to provide assistance in determining a period or periods, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) minutes in total in any week, for the student to receive religious instruction.”

WWS deeply values the role parents play as their children’s first and most influential educators. The district’s partnership with families is essential in helping students develop critical thinking skills, form their beliefs, and learn how to engage respectfully with others who may hold different perspectives.

Parents who have questions concerning their child’s education are encouraged to reach out to their child’s principal or teacher to engage in healthy and honest two-way communication.