Albemarle Co Pblc Schs
Step 6 of 10
Obtain School Approval (Step Descriptions)
Signatures

192

People who signed Lifewise's petition

State Law

Virginia is a
"No-Statute" state

Learn more about state laws.

Location Map Charlottesville, VA 22902 Charlottesville city
Lifewise Local Program Website Link (opens in a new tab)
District Poverty Rate 8.0% (data source)
Non-White Students 42.0% (data source)
NCES Link NCES District Info
Last Updated January 20, 2026
Virginia State Law

There is no state statute regulating released time for religious instruction, federal rulings still apply. "No-Statute" states function in theory the same way as "May-Law" states. 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

States with no statute for released time religious instruction are treated like "may" states. Released time programs would need to request approval from the local school board. School districts should not allow a released time program to operate in the district without a specific released time policy.

The federal case laws that mandate how released time functions should be followed. Zorach vs Clauson states:

School districts in states without a statute mandating a released time policy can choose not to allow released time or to coordinate with religious organizations seeking to remove students from school during the school day.

School districts should always have a policy indicating whether they coordinate with released-time religious instruction programs. Not having a policy at all and leaving it up to the released time program should never be the operating standard. This will open the district up to misinterpretation of its intent.

It is suggested that parents approach the school board and request that a released time religious instruction policy be implemented, even before a religious program approaches the district.

This does not encompass all legal requirements, and other legal opinions may exist. Please use this as a guide only.

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 (13)
School Grades Period
Agnor-Hurt Elem
Albemarle High
Baker-Butler Elem
Crozet Elem
Hollymead Elem
Jack Jouett Middle
Mary Carr Greer Elem
MONTICELLO GOVERNOR'S HEALTH SCIENCES ACADEMY
Monticello High
Mortimer Y Sutherland Middle
Murray
Scottsville Elem
Woodbrook Elem
3 schools not shown
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Launch Steps History
Step
Description
Signatures
Date
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
192
January 20, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
191
January 13, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
190
January 9, 2026
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
188
December 21, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
187
December 2, 2025
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
186
November 13, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
157
October 7, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
144
September 17, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
143
August 29, 2024
Step 6
Obtain School Approval
142
August 24, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
141
August 13, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
117
August 1, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
111
July 26, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
109
June 25, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
109
June 20, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
106
May 17, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
105
April 25, 2024
Step 4
Form a Steering Committee
104
March 25, 2024
 
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