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.
Opened in 1998, Life School is one of the longest-running charter school districts in the state. Creating quality programs to produce well-rounded students and leaders is a hallmark trait of Life School. The district’s athletics program, which began in 2002, is an essential tool for leadership and character development.
“We want our teams to compete and do well, but sports are just one way that we are preparing students for Life,” says Life School Athletic Director Scott Thrush. “We are focused on developing character and leadership in our athletes. We want them to learn to be resilient, goal-oriented leaders on and off the field,” says Thrush.
The 2022-2023 school year proved to be a year of wins for Life School. With nearly 80% of athletics teams receiving a bid for playoffs, these goal-oriented athletes are making strides in the 3A and 4A districts in which they compete.
The strategy seems to be working, with 24 out of 31 teams finishing the season last year with a chance to compete further during the postseason.
The women’s cross country teams from Life High School Oak Cliff (LHSOC) and Life High School Waxahachie (LHSW) claimed the district champion title, while the men’s teams from both schools sent runners to the regional meet. At LHSOC, the volleyball and basketball teams all made a postseason runs, and the LHSW boys basketball claimed their 8th district title.
Making school history, the LHSOC women’s soccer team won their first playoff game ever, and the LHSW men’s and women’s soccer teams both won the district title in the same year for the first time since opening in 2016.
Life School track teams were all-stars last season with all four teams winning the district title. They also sent athletes to compete at the regional, area and state levels. The powerlifting, softball and golf teams also did well enough to qualify for the postseason.
The LHSW baseball team continues to grow the program each year. From winning their first playoff game ever in 2021, to winning the first two rounds of playoffs in 2023, the Mustangs are proving they are a baseball program that is competitive year after year.
In addition to team success, several athletes are now continuing their athletic careers at the college level.
From LHSOC, Davonte McCleveland plays football at Southern Nazarene University in Oklahoma. Soccer players Sophia Barron and Melissa Gomez are planning to play at Ranger College, and Marco Ambriz signed with Paul Quinn College to play soccer.
At LHSW, Nathan Moxam will play basketball, and Nicole Solero will play soccer at Cedar Valley College. Track athlete Carson Rogers will continue to compete at Texas Wesleyan University.
“We are very proud of the things we have been able to accomplish in athletics and look forward to continuing to get better every day,” says Thrush. “Our staff is committed to competing with character and class and preparing our student-athletes for Life after LIFE through sports. We feel confident that no matter where they end up after graduation, they will be better prepared to win at the game of Life.”
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Life School is a tuition-free, public charter school with campuses in Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Mountain Creek, Red Oak, Oak Cliff and Waxahachie, TX. Life School develops leaders with life skills through strong academics, character training, and partnerships with parents and the community. Its mission is accomplished in part through the financial support of donors who provide scholarships and embrace making students ready to learn, ready to lead and ready for life.
Parents who are interested in enrollment can visit lifeschool.net/learn-about-life. Partners who would like to support Life School financially can give online at lifeschool.net/give.
