Traverse City Area Public Schools
Step 4 of 10
Form a Steering Committee (Step Descriptions)
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62

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State Law

Michigan is a
"May" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map TRAVERSE CITY, MI 49686 Grand Traverse County
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 8.3% (data source)
Non-White Students 12.7% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 18, 2026
Michigan State Law

School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text Link to State Law

380.1561 Compulsory attendance at public school; enrollment dates; exceptions.
Sec. 1561.

(3) A child is not required to attend a public school in any of the following cases:
(d) The child is regularly enrolled in a public school while in attendance at religious instruction classes for not more than 2 class hours per week, off public school property during public school hours, upon written request of the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis.

What Can My School District Do?

All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time, should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith. A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.

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Schools in the District (16)
School Grades Period
Blair Elementary School
Central Grade School
Central High School
Cherry Knoll Elementary School
Courtade Elementary School
Eastern Elementary School
Interlochen Early Childhood and Innovation Center
Long Lake Elementary School
Silver Lake Elementary School
Tcaps Montessori School
Traverse City High School
Traverse Heights Elem School
West Middle School
West Senior High
Westwoods Elementary School
Willow Hill Elementary School
6 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
62
January 16, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
61
January 12, 2026
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
60
December 25, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
59
December 20, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
58
November 14, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
57
November 11, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
55
November 9, 2025
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
54
November 6, 2025
Step 2
Join a Kickoff Meeting
52
November 5, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
30
November 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
29
November 1, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
28
October 30, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
27
October 11, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
26
October 3, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
24
September 23, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
23
September 18, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
22
February 9, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
21
February 2, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
19
January 18, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
16
October 9, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
15
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
13
March 25, 2024
 
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