Life School News & Notes

• Life School Earns Seven Campus Distinctions

  On Friday August 12th, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released new accountability ratings for the 2021-2022 school year. Accountability ratings are based on end-of-year test scores including STAAR and EOC exams. As a district, Life School received a score of 87 out of 100, earning a ‘B’ rating and improving from a score of 81 in 2018-2019. Students across the district saw growth in all grades and subjects. Four campuses earned a cumulative seven distinctions. Overall, Life School students outperformed their peers in many surrounding school districts.

• Life School Education Foundation Surpasses $1M Raised

  The Life School Education Foundation recently reached a major milestone, exceeding $1,000,000 in funds raised since its inception in 2015. The funds are used each year to award scholarships for graduating Life School seniors and teacher grants to encourage innovative educational strategies and ideas in the classroom.

• Life School Elementary Campuses Celebrate Career Readiness

  In February, Life School celebrated College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) across its elementary campuses. Each campus invited community members, parents and Life School staff members to share their college, career or military experiences.

• Life School Expands to Grades 7-8 at Mountain Creek (Dallas)

  For a decade, Life School Mountain Creek at Spur 408 and Illinois Avenue has served thousands of families by offering kindergarten through 6th grade. In August 2023, the campus is expanding to offer grades 7-8, giving more flexibility and stability to families in West Dallas.

• Life School Holds 2022 District-Wide Science Fair

  Six Life School elementary campuses came together for the Life School District Science Fair at Life School Red Oak Elementary on April 1, 2022. The district also partnered with The Perot Museum for the event. While students waited to present their projects to the judges, they participated in STEM activities with employees from the Perot Museum.

• Life School Holds Annual Gifted & Talented Expo

  Life School held its annual Gifted & Talented (GT) Expo Awards on April 21, 2023. This year, the GT Expo was held at Life School Red Oak. Students, parents and staff filled the campus as GT students competed for the title of “Humanitarian of The Year” and participated in activities that explored the way of life of those in developing countries.

• Life School Holds Annual Gifted and Talented Expo

  Life School held its annual Gifted & Talented (GT) Expo Awards on April 22, 2022. This year, the GT Expo was held at Life School Red Oak. Students, parents, and staff filled the campus as GT students competed for the title of “Humanitarian of The Year” and participated in activities that explored the way of life of those in developing countries.

• Life School Holds District-Wide Science Fair

  Six Life School elementary campuses came together for the Life School District Science Fair at Life School Red Oak Elementary on February 24, 2023. The district also partnered with The Perot Museum for the event. While students waited to present their projects to the judges, they participated in STEM activities with employees from the Perot Museum.

• Life School Hosts 7th-annual Parade of Choirs

  School choirs from across Dallas-Fort Worth gathered in Oak Cliff Sunday evening for the 7th-annual Parade of Choirs. Life School Oak Cliff’s Everlasting Life Gospel Choir hosted the 2022 event on February 27, 2022. The 2020 competition was featured on Channel 5 for its community impact, showcasing Elementary, Middle, and High School choirs, community choirs, and gospel choirs from around DFW.

• Life School Hosts Future Chefs Cooking Contest

  Life School is working to teach students about the importance of making healthy food choices through a cooking contest hosted by its food service provider, Sodexo. The event, called Future Chefs, was held on April 27, where students competed in a competition that allowed students to put their cooking skills to the test.

• Life School Lancaster Supports Troops through Operation Pringles

  This year, in honor of Veteran’s Day, Life School Lancaster Elementary held Operation Pringles, a drive for students and families to bring cans of Pringles to send to U.S. soldiers serving in other countries. From November 11-18, the campus collected donations. Together, students and families supported the initiative by bringing a total of 1,192 containers of Pringles.

• Life School Lancaster Uses 'Bear Buddies' to Inspire Reading

  Reading is crucial for elementary students to build self-esteem, improve concentration, develop critical thinking skills, and learn to make sense of the world. Life School Lancaster Elementary (LSL) is prioritizing growth for K-2 students through a special partnership with high school students. Life High School Waxahachie Dual Credit Students and Student Athletes participate in the Bears Reading Club at LSL to help young students increase reading, communication and social skills.

• Life School Oak Cliff Earns Special Distinction for Postsecondary Readiness

  On Friday August 12th, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released new accountability ratings for the 2021-2022 school year. Accountability ratings are based on end-of-year test scores including STAAR and EOC exams. As a district, Life School received a score of 87 out of 100, earning a ‘B’ rating and improving from a score of 81 in 2018-2019. Within the reports is another notable achievement for Life School Oak Cliff – earning a distinction for Postsecondary Readiness.

• Life School Oak Cliff Students Receive ACE Awards from City of Glenn Heights

  Congratulations to Life High School Oak Cliff student Ja’Marion Richardson and Life Middle School Oak student Sharayah Richardson! These students were recognized as ACE (Academic and Citizenship Excellence) Award recipients by Sonja A. Brown, Mayor of the City of Glenn Heights. We are proud of your efforts to display excellence as a LifeLeader in your school and community.

• Life School Preparing Educators for the Future

  At a time when school districts across the country are facing shortages of teachers, one North Texas School is working to create a new generation of educators for the future.

• Life School Preparing Seniors for Life After High School through Senior Life Projects

  Life School seniors from Life High School Oak Cliff and Life High School Waxahachie presented their Senior Life Projects this month, district capstone projects that are required for graduation. Students from both high schools presented their research projects to judges during the month of May. Six total Life School students will receive scholarships for their efforts.

• Life School Receives Dyslexia Grant

  Life School is excited to announce that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has awarded Life School a grant through the Dyslexia Grant Award Program. The total grant of $370,000 provides $260,000 for 2022-2023 school year and $110,000 for the 2023-2024 school year. Funds from the grant will allow staff members to receive further education to serve students.

• Life School Receives Funding for Classroom Library Books

  Life School is excited to announce that The Snapdragon Book Foundation has awarded Life School Oak Cliff Elementary (LSOCE) with a $5,000 grant for in-classroom library books. 

• Life School Secondary Students Participate in Floral Design Course

  Closing the opportunity gap for students is an essential part of Life School’s strategic plan. For secondary students, this means ensuring that every student is fully prepared to enter college, the workforce or military as they graduate from high school. Life School celebrates the diverse population of students’ strengths, abilities and interests by offering a wide variety of College Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) courses. 

• Life School Student-Athletes Give Back Through Community Partnerships

  In the spirit of giving, Life School student-athletes and staff stepped up their volunteer efforts this year to assist those in need throughout the community. From food pantries to clothing closets, and mentorship opportunities - students exercised citizenship and gained hands-on experience while giving back. 

• Life School Students Use Book, Head, and Heart for Literacy

  January 25, 2022 – Reading, and thinking critically, are among the most important parts of learning. But, it can be difficult to help students develop critical thinking skills. They are great at answering questions about what is explicitly stated, but Life School works to help students think beyond the text.

• Life School Technology Goes 1:1

  When the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March, few entities had to pivot harder or faster than schools. Faced with the need to provide online education to more than 5,500 students almost overnight, Life School worked quickly to meet a growing need.

• Life School to Graduate 3,000th Student

  Life School will reach a new milestone on May 27, graduating its 3,000th student. The school district opened its doors in 1998 in Oak Cliff, Texas, with 266 students. In 2004, Life School graduated its first student. Just 18 years later, Life High School Waxahachie has graduated 1,378 students, and Life High School Oak Cliff has graduated 1,383 students. This Spring, another 230 students from Life High School Waxahachie and 121 from Life High School Oak Cliff are expected to receive their diplomas.

• Life School Waxahachie Names New Head Football Coach

  Life High School Waxahachie (UIL 4A-Div 1) has named Sam Riepe as its next head football coach, effective January 13, 2023. Riepe was named the defensive coordinator of the Life School Mustangs last season after serving as Athletic Director and Head Football Coach of the Maypearl Panthers. As Head Football Coach in Maypearl, he led the team to the playoffs in consecutive years; and as Athletic Director, his staff led 31 programs to qualify for state playoffs during the 2020-2022 seasons. Riepe has 13 years of experience in education, has served in a variety of roles, and brings a wealth of experience to Life High School Waxahachie.

• Life School's Athletics Names September's Coaches Of The Month

  Recognized for distinguished leadership, the Life School Athletics Departmenthas selected four outstanding individuals for September's 'Coaches of the Month.'