Religious Release Time

Pursuant to Indiana law, when the parent of a student provides written notice, the principal shall allow the student to attend a school for religious instruction that is conducted by a church, association of churches, or an association that is organized for religious instruction and incorporated under Indiana law.

Following receipt of such written notice, the principal shall work in a collaborative manner with the parent or entity offering religious instruction to provide assistance in determining a period or periods for the student to receive religious instruction. An entity offering religious instruction to a student shall work in a collaborative manner with the principal to ensure the period(s) in which the student receives religious instruction are the least disruptive to the student’s instructional time. 

Written notice for religious release time is only valid for the school year in which it was provided.

The period(s) in which a student receives religious instruction under this section may not exceed 120 minutes per week for elementary school students or the equivalent of one (1) elective course per week for secondary school students.

An entity providing religious instruction under Indiana law and this policy shall maintain attendance records and allow inspection of these records by attendance officers; and may not be supported, in whole or in part, by public funds.

An entity that provides religious instruction to a student under this policy must agree to conduct an expanded criminal history check and expanded child protection index check for each of the entity’s employees or contractors likely to have direct, ongoing contact with students of the school corporation in the scope of the individual’s employment or contract services, and to hold liability insurance coverage for services or transportation provided outside school property.

A student who participates in religious release time shall receive the same attendance credit that the student would receive for attendance in the public school for the same length of time.

I.C. 20-33-2-19

I.C. 20-33-8-5

West Lafayette Community School Corporation

Adopted: December 8, 2025

Revised: [date]