Life School students learned first-hand about the value of long-term investing thanks to the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game. The game is an educational program used by hundreds of Texas teachers to “boost students’ math, economics, and personal financial knowledge, while also improving their test scores and instilling essential skills for financially-independent futures.”

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, a charter school district in North Texas, is on mission to not only educate, but also prepare students for a pathway in college, career or the military following graduation. Under the umbrella of Career and Technical Education (CTE) is the Education and Training program at Life High School Waxahachie (LHSW). The program of study consists of 2 years of study and 2 years of hands-on classroom experience and is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching beyond high school.

Life School develops students with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. The fruit of those efforts can be seen in how the district engages with its surrounding communities. Life School Lancaster (LSL) Life Skills students recently partnered with Jonathan’s Place to donate essential items to others in need.

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.

The District 11-4A/12-4A area track and field championships were more of the same on Thursday, with Life High School Waxahachie flashing more bling at the end of the day.

On Friday, April 18, the Life High School Waxahachie (LHSW) boys golf team made school history by placing third overall at the 4A Regional Tournament and advancing to the state tournament. The Mustangs shot a two-day total score of 656 at The Van Zandt Country Club.

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.

On Friday, May 6th the Life High School Waxahachie (LHSW) varsity baseball team won the Region 2 Bi-District playoff game in an authoritative manner over North Dallas High School. This week, the Mustangs will face off once again against the Celina Bobcats in the Area round of playoffs.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

This spring has been an exciting competition season for the Life High School Waxahachie (LHSW) choir. Scoring the highest scores of their last ten competition seasons, the group ended the Region 20 University Interscholastic League (UIL) Concert and Sight-reading contest by making school history.

Senior Nolan De Los Santos of Life Waxahachie won the individual bronze medal as the Mustang boys’ golf team finished in 10th place in the team’s first-ever state competition at the University Interscholastic League Class 4A boys’ tournament on Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10 at Legends Golf Course.

Life School is pleased to announce that Mrs. Quanesha Stovall has been selected as principal for Life School Oak Cliff Elementary (LSOCE). Stovall is an Oak Cliff native and a 10-year veteran educator who began her educational career at the Life School Oak Cliff Elementary campus. She spent 5 years teaching before accepting the role of Assistant Principal.

L Life School is pleased to announce that Mrs. Anita Sanders has been selected as principal for Life School Cedar Hill Elementary (LSCH). Sanders joined Life School Oak Cliff Elementary (LSOCE) in 2014 as assistant principal. She became principal in 2016 and has proudly served the Oak Cliff community since.

Life School is pleased to announce that Mrs. Veronica Pelton has been selected as principal for Life School Mountain Creek Elementary (LSMC). Pelton began her career in education in 2008 at Dallas ISD. Throughout her many years in education, she has served as a special education teacher and a 3rd and 5th-grade teacher.

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.

Dear Life School Family,

It is with sadness that I inform you that Life School Board Member and treasured friend Joan Butler passed away on Saturday morning, June 18. Joan was appointed to the Life School Board of Directors in 2021 and was a longtime supporter of Life School. Joan and her husband, Gordon Butler Sr., served on the pastoral staff of Oak Cliff Assembly of God when Life School was established in 1998.

Joan was retired from a long career in finance and administrative support, most recently with Southwestern Assemblies of God University. She also served on the SAGU Board of Regents.

We will miss Mrs. Butler’s wisdom and heart for Life School.

Visitation will take place at Jeter and Son Funeral Home at 332 Cedar St. Cedar Hill, TX, 75104, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM on Monday, June 27th. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 28, at Crossroads of Life Assembly of God at 123 W. Hwy 67 Duncanville, TX 75137.

Thank you for joining in our sympathy for her family.

Sincerely,

Brent Wilson

Superintendent

 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.

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. 

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 High School Waxahachie (LHSW) was recognized as a member of the inaugural Accelerating Women’s Success and Mastery (AWSM) in Computer Science Honor Roll at the 2022 WeTeach_CS Summit. Life High School Waxahachie achieved this award because young women made up at least 50% of computer science (CS) course enrollment in the 2020-2021 school year. The statewide average is just 27%.