LifeWise Academy Moves to Olivet

The front door of LifeWise Academy.

OLIVET, Mich. — LifeWise Academy is an organization that offers bible education to public school students. Schooling takes place during the school day, and students must obtain permission from their parents to attend. LifeWise was founded through two different churches: Stand for Truth and Cross Over the Hill out of Hilliard, Ohio. The Olivet LifeWise is not affiliated with any church in town, but does partner with them.

The program can succeed due to the concept of Released Time. This came about in 1952, allowing students in public schools to be released from school during the day so they could attend off-campus religious classes. 

“What makes it doable is that: one, it’s off school property. Two, parents approve it. Three, it’s free,” said LifeWise teacher, and former Olivet principal, Brock Peters.

LifeWise has schools across Michigan in cities such as Bedford, Lowell, Whiteford, and Olivet. The city of Olivet was the first city in Michigan to start a LifeWise Academy, which started in 2024. 

“The students are released to us just during their lunch and recess period. So, it’s a very short time,” said Sarah Britton, director.

Olivet schools and LifeWise work together because the students from the Olivet schools are released to LifeWise. Since lessons are during lunch, students can bring their own lunch or lunch from Olivet schools. 

“It’s a good work relationship. We support them, and they support us,” said Shelly Perry, Olivet Middle School administrative assistant.

There has been controversy surrounding the topic of LifeWise, even having an article published in the Detroit Free Press, because of the separation of church and state. This is a principle to make sure the government, and religious affiliations operate independently. 

“Before we even launched at school, we took time to connect with as many community members as possible and inform them of what it is and what they’re doing. Because I think not having full information is why a lot of people say some of the things they do. So again, we were very upfront and open about what we are and why we’re doing it,” said Britton.

LifeWise had to receive 50 signatures of approval. Once those signatures were gathered, they then took it to the superintendent of the school to get approval from the school for release time. 

Currently, the Olivet LifeWise has 170 students spanning from second grade to eighth grade, a director, an assistant director, five members of a leadership board, five different teachers, and 30 volunteers on staff. Every individual has to apply as if it were a job, a background check takes place, and they have to go through training videos.