Life School is excited to announce that its Lancaster campus has been renamed Life School Innovation Academy for the 2025-2026 school year. Along with the new name, the campus will adopt the Mustang as its new mascot, replacing the Bears. This change aligns the campus with the Ellis County feeder pattern, joining Life School Red Oak Elementary, Life Middle School Waxahachie, and Life High School Waxahachie under the Mustang banner.
A New Era of Innovation and Learning
The transition to Life School Innovation Academy marks more than a name and mascot change—it signals a new flavor of innovative, student-centered learning. The campus will introduce a variety of new curricular offerings that are designed to foster critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
The official roadmap of new opportunities is still being developed. But, there are a number of ideas under consideration.
Possible Innovation and Project-Based Learning Opportunities:
- Specials Time for Innovation Academy: Students could rotate through clubs such as LEGO Engineering, Design Thinking, and Podcasting each nine weeks.
- Capstone Projects: Upper-grade students will research, plan, and present culminating projects that integrate skills learned throughout elementary school.
- Career Exploration Events: Local innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders will be invited for speaking events, career carousels, and job shadowing opportunities.
- Purposeful Field Trips: Visits to STEM labs, career centers, and industry sites will be planned to align with AVID, CTE, and CCMR pathways.
The district is also assessing how the physical environment could better serve the focus on innovation. That may include initiatives like:
- Flexible Learning Environments: Modular seating, mobile whiteboards, and open spaces to promote collaboration and movement.
- STEM/Innovation Labs: Classrooms could be repurposed into hands-on labs for robotics, coding, design challenges, and makerspace activities.
- Learning Zones: Classrooms could feature zones for small group collaboration, independent research, and hands-on experimentation.
- Student-Led Parent Nights: Open houses could become showcases of student work, with students guiding their families and presenting projects and learning goals.
- Pathway Week: A dedicated week could explore future careers in fields like health science, engineering, and business through themed activities and guest visits.
Supporting Every Student
Life School Innovation Academy will continue to build on its success with an immediate intervention model, ensuring that students who need extra help receive timely support to master key concepts. Students are continuously evaluated for mastery of content. Those who need help receive it in the moment, while students who have already mastered the concept are permitted to explore extended learning activities.
“We are thrilled to launch Life School Innovation Academy and provide our students with even more opportunities to innovate, create, and succeed,” said Dr. Brent Wilson, Superintendent. “The new name, mascot, and expanded programs reflect our commitment to preparing students for the future.”
Innovation Academy Principal Veronica Pelton adds, “At Life School Innovation Academy, our new name reflects our unwavering mission—where character leads and innovation inspires. Together, we’re shaping the future with integrity and imagination.”
Parents who are interested in enrollment can visit lifeschool.net/learn-about-life.
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Life School is a tuition-free, public charter school with campuses in 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.
