Life Schools

Member Schools: Life School Oak Cliff (K-12), Life School Red Oak (K-12), Life School Lancaster (K-6), Life School Cedar Hill (K-4)

District Characteristics: Character Education: Life School seeks to develop the whole person. Character education is foundational to the development of student leaders and is not limited to a “program” or “curriculum.” Character development includes modeling from teachers and staff. Life School seeks qualified faculty and staff who are not only outstanding employees but stellar individuals and role models. Through the consistent application of the discipline system, Life School teaches students appropriate behavior and character qualities. Strong Academics: Intellectual development is a critical concept for future success. Life School prioritizes academics through providing qualified teachers, effective teaching strategies, continual professional development, a safe and orderly learning environment, and vertically and horizontally aligned curriculum. Parent Involvement: Strong parent participation makes Life School unique with parenting seminars and parent-teacher update sessions scheduled regularly throughout the school year. Parents partner with teachers and administrators in their children’s development. This partnership brings order and peace to the classroom and enhances the learning environment.

History:

Life School began in 1998 to serve students and families in southern Dallas. It is through the vision of the Chancellor and founder, Dr. Tom Wilson, that Life School opened its doors with 15 faculty and staff members serving 266 students at the Oak Cliff campus.

Since its inception over a decade ago, Life School has experienced substantial increases in enrollment without any form of advertisement. Testimonies from parents to friends, neighbors, and co-workers have fueled rapid growth. Today, Life School serves over 3700 students at four campuses. Dr. Wilson’s vision was to provide a quality education and give parents an educational choice regardless of a parent’s ability to pay. He envisioned a tuition-free school with the quality of an expensive private school. After enactment of charter school legislation, Dr. Wilson realized that a charter school was the avenue to fulfill this vision. Through the help of friends, educators and other professionals the charter was drafted and approved by the TEA in the spring of 1998, and the doors opened only a few months later in August 1998.

Athletics: Life School offers athletics programs at both K-12 campuses - Life School Oak Cliff and Life School Red Oak. Each campus offers 10 varsity sports, most of which compete in UIL.