Life Middle School Oak Cliff News & Notes

• 4-Day School Week May Yield Mental Health Benefits for Life School Students and Families

  Over the past few years, Texas school districts have seen an increase in demand for new approaches to learning. In 2023, Life School was one of a few districts to have made the switch to a 4-day school week. Among the motivators was a goal to attract experienced teachers during an ongoing Texas teacher shortage. Teachers are known to be one of the biggest contributors to overall student success in the classroom. While 4-day did make an impact on average years of experience among teachers, it also made a big impact elsewhere. Parents repeatedly emphasize its effect on childrens’ mental health and overall well-being.

• Board of Directors Approves $1.5M in Pay Increases

  Life School is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the allocation of approximately $1,500,000 for increases in staff salaries for the 2022-2023 school year. This allocation will result in an average increase of 5% for certified teachers, $750 increase for non-certified teachers and 2% increase for all other Life School staff.

• Charter School Pioneer Life School Celebrates 25th Anniversary

  In 1995 the Texas Legislature authorized the establishment of charter schools in Texas. Just 3 years later in 1998, Life School opened its doors in Oak Cliff, TX, with a small team of 15 staff members to serve 266 students. Sparked by the vision of Dr. Tom Wilson, the school was established to “provide a quality education and give parents educational choice regardless of their ability to pay.” Today, Life School employs more than 600 staff and serves more than 5,500 students across the Dallas area.

• Continued Safety Efforts at Life School

  Dear Life School Families,

  Ensuring the safety and security of students and staff is always Life School’s top priority. Last year, we formed the Life School Safety & Security Committee. This committee is responsible for reviewing and approving Life School’s Emergency Operations Plan as well as makes recommendations for necessary security improvements across our district.

  As a result, Life School has spent the past year making significant improvements and investments toward keeping our students and staff safe while on campus. Some of the recently enhanced safety and security measures include:

  • Increased security presence on all campuses
  • Improved access control on several campuses
  • Additional security cameras at multiple campuses
  • Upgraded radios and communication on campuses

  The Life School security team has been working closely with local law enforcement in the communities in which all of our campuses are located. If we should encounter an emergency situation, these agencies are prepared to provide the necessary support to our campuses. Additionally, Life School has expanded our integrated school safety software system, Raptor, to include emergency management and communication capabilities.

  All of these efforts allow Life School and local law enforcement to respond quickly and efficiently in the case of any campus emergency. 

  Every month our security team publishes a security bulletin to inform you of any security updates and provides resources for parents and teachers to help keep our students and staff safe. Please be sure to stay up to date with all security measures by clicking here.

  We hope everyone has a safe, fun and relaxing spring break! We look forward to finishing the year strong when we return!

  Sincerely, 

  Dr. Brent Wilson, Ed.D.
  Life School Superintendent

• Education Foundation Raises $71,000 in Fairways for Life

   More than 120 golfers teed off during Life School's eighth annual Fairways For Leaders (FFL) Golf Tournament on June 13, raising $71,000 for the Life School Education Foundation (LSEF). This year marked a record year with the most funds raised, surpassing the previous 2016 record by $11,000. More than 45 businesses and individuals participated to support Life’s Schools mission – to develop leaders through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community.

• How to Save a Seat Before the Lottery at Life School

  With the launch of a 4-day school week, Life School has attracted quite a bit of interest in the Dallas area. The district already serves families from 47 cities, and this fall may experience longer wait lists than normal. However, there is a strategic way for new families to save a seat for August enrollment and avoid long waits when the summer rush hits, and it requires urgent action.

• Life High School Oak Cliff Names Cole Orrick New Head Football Coach

  Life School Oak Cliffhas named Cole Orrick as its new Head Football Coach, effective January 4, 2022. 

• Life Middle School Oak Cliff Receives Generous Donation from Dallas Winds

   Life Middle School Oak Cliff (LMSOC) is delighted to announce that it has received a significant donation from the prestigious organization, Dallas Winds. This donation includes a variety of instruments, including flutes, alto and tenor saxophones, trumpets and trombones.

• Life School Achieves Record Enrollment of 5,797 Students

  Life School, a leading K-12 school district committed to providing exceptional education and fostering student success, announced a groundbreaking milestone: a record-breaking enrollment of nearly 5,800 students. This unprecedented achievement is attributed to the implementation of the innovative 4-day school week, which has garnered significant praise from students, parents, and educators alike; along with a continued focus on character development.

• Life School and Mentors Care Partner for Student Success

  Preparing students to be “ready for life” is a top priority for Life School, a charter school district serving more than 5,000 students in the North Texas Area. The district is now partnering with a like-minded partner, school-based mentoring program Mentors Care. Together, they will help students graduate and prepare them for what comes next – life.

• Life School Appoints New Members to the Board of Directors

  Life School, a public charter school district operating in North Texas, has recently appointed three new members to serve on the Board of Directors.

• Life School Athletics Keeps Students on Winning Track

  Life School is one of the few charter school districts that competes in UIL activities. As an open-enrollment district, students come to Life School from all over the Dallas area. And while winning on the field is fun, it’s not the main driver of success taught at Life School.

• Life School Athletics Names April 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During April 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Michael Boyefio and Heath Askew for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names April Coach Spotlight Honorees

  During April's Coach Spotlights, Life School's athletic department recognized Braylon Birdowand Jasmine Sanchez for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names February 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During February 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Thomanique Hubbard and Chris Collett for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names February Coach Spotlight Honorees

  During February's Coach Spotlights, Life School's athletic department recognized Cole Orrick and Alexandria Scales for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names January 'Coaches Spotlight' Honoree

  During January's 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Dewayne Volentine for his sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names January 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During January 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Lena Lilly and Jennifer McCord for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names March Coach Spotlight Honorees

  During March's Coach Spotlights, Life School's athletic department recognized Welton Johnson and Logan Houser for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names November 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During November 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Ashley Jackson and Caleb Veteto for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names November 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During November 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Welton Johnson and Kyle McCalla for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names October 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During October 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Andrew Duzyk and Colten Oder for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names October 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During October 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Marquis Stimpson and Reid Brunner for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names September 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During September 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Nicholas Perkins and Haleigh Boyce for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.

• Life School Athletics Names September 'Coaches Spotlight' Honorees

  During September 'Coaches Spotlight,' Life School's athletic department recognized Lauren Wright and Michelle Martin for their sacrifice of time and passion for Life School athletics.