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Texas charter schools are free public schools, and enrollment is open to all students. They are independently operated schools that run with more flexibility than traditional public schools in exchange for increased accountability.

The “charter” that establishes each school is a contract detailing the school’s mission and methods of assessment. Every public charter school has to be authorized by the state. Authorizers are responsible for holding charter schools accountable for compliance with their operating agreements or “charters.”

Like all public schools, charter schools are:

• Tuition-free and part of the free public school system
• Held to state and federal academic standards
• Open to all students, including those with disabilities
• Funded primarily through a combination of federal and state tax dollars
• Not affiliated with or restricted to a particular religious group

Yes. Life School is a free public charter school open to all students. There are 10 Life School campuses in 7 locations in the Dallas area, educating elementary, middle, and high school students.

Every Life School campus is approved to operate by the State of Texas to ensure that the school is living up to the commitments in its charter and is in compliance with relevant federal, state, and local requirements. Life School is primarily funded through public federal and state dollars, along with supplemental funding through charitable donations.

Like traditional public schools, charter schools receive state funds based on the number of students who attend. However, charter schools do not receive any local tax dollars. Life School raises special funding for student college scholarships and other special projects through charitable gifts made to the Life School Education Foundation.

Life School offers K-12. We have elementary schools in Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Mountain Creek, Oak Cliff and Red Oak. We also have middle schools in Oak Cliff and Waxahachie, and high schools in Oak Cliff and Waxahachie. Families who enroll at any Life School elementary can transition their child into middle school and high school at the Oak Cliff or Waxahachie campuses.

Any K-12 student can attend Life School. There are no admissions requirements. Life School is a free public school open to all students including English Language Learners and students with special education needs.

Life School is limited in the number of students we can accept per grade level by campus. When there are more applicants than spots available, we are required by law to hold a lottery for random selection.

When demand exceeds enrollment capacity for each grade at a school, students are admitted through a lottery. Lotteries are normally held in early spring.

If students apply after the date of the lottery, they are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, as spaces become available.

Immigration status is not required. Texas state law prohibits us from asking that information.

The application consists of basic information including parent/guardian names, contact information, student’s name, date of birth, and the grade to which the student is applying. The process is simple and should take you less than ten minutes. When your child begins school, you will need to provide proof of address (i.e. water bill).

Yes. Once your child is enrolled at Life School, you are eligible to transfer between campuses for the next school year. For example, some choose to begin at Life School Lancaster Elementary and then continue into middle or high school in Red Oak and Waxahachie.

Life School is open to all students. There is no selection process. Any student can attend as long as there is space available at his or her grade level. You can apply online in under 10 minutes.

If you are applying for the current school year, you can apply online at any time. If you are applying for next school year (upcoming August), the application period begins the preceding January 1.

Yes! Families interested in multiple schools can select a first, second and third choice on the application. We recommend that families only apply to schools that they are willing to drive to and from on a daily basis and in case of emergencies.

Enrollment is for new students. Re-enrollment is for current Life School students choosing their campus and grade for the next school year.

Life School Oak Cliff was founded to provide quality education and give parents an educational choice regardless of their ability to pay. You can read about Life School's history online. You can also explore our Mission, Vision and Values.

Life School believes that our students need both a strong academic foundation and well-developed character to succeed in college, careers or military service.

Our approach to character is grounded in the development of 15 LifeLeader attributes.

• Critical Thinking
• Information Literacy
• Global Perspective
• Collaborative
• Ethical Leadership
• Effective Communicator
• Humility
• Problem Solver
• Social Awareness
• Citizenship
• Financial Literacy
• Goal-Oriented
• Resilient
• Self-Aware
• Self-Managed

LifeLeader articulates the attributes that we want to develop in our students and ourselves. It is a common language that makes it easier for us to understand each other and focuses our efforts. Character education is not something that we pause instruction to do – is integrated in everything we do. You can explore our 15 LifeLeader attributes online.

Life School creates a culture in which students can focus their energy on their academics and not on what they are wearing. Uniforms help create equity in the classroom.

Class sizes vary by grade level.

Life School offers K-12. We have elementary schools in Carrollton, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Mountain Creek, Oak Cliff and Red Oak. We also have middle schools and high schools in Oak Cliff and Waxahachie. Families who enroll at any Life School elementary can transition their child into middle school and high school at the Oak Cliff or Waxahachie campuses.

Yes! Parents are encouraged to be involved in their child’s Life School experience. Families are welcome to visit their child’s classes, and we encourage open communication with our teachers.

Yes. Life School offers athletic programs in basketball, baseball, cross country, cheerleading, golf, soccer, softball, track and field and football. We also offer wide-ranging clubs and extracurricular activities that vary by campus.

At this time, Life School does not offer virtual learning.

We’re happy to help if you still have questions. Sign up for information.

Life School communicates with parents by email, phone, text message, website and social media messaging throughout the year. Most parent messages are also published to our Central Office Announcements page online.

Life School only offers transportation for families continuing from the Cedar Hill and Mountain Creek campuses who wish to continue into middle school in Waxahachie. A transportation form is circulated before the start of the school year for families to sign up to participate.