LIFES Academy

LIFES (Lessons In Fundamental and Essential Skills) Academy was introduced in 1995 through a partnership with Franklin County and the Franklin County Public School System to provide an alternative educational setting for Franklin County students who need assistance in managing their behavioral patterns.

The mission of LIFES Academy is to assist students in developing their attitudes, behaviors and life skills so that they can transition back to their home schools and succeed socially and academically. Student referrals to LIFES Academy must be initiated by the student’s home school staff.

LIFES Academy is a true partnership success story. Our staff works with the student, the family and other community partners, such as Piedmont Community Services, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys and the Franklin County Family Resource Center, to ensure that each student is able to transition back into their appropriate home school once their goals are achieved. Franklin County Public Schools employees the teachers and STEP employees the Program Director and the Teacher’s Assistants. Franklin County Public Schools also provides training and support from the Special Education staff. Progress reports are submitted on a quarterly basis to the Family Assistance Planning Team (FAPT) and the Community Policy Management Team (CPMT).

Formerly called ASEP (Alternative and Special Education Program), the staff was challenged to change the name in 2006 to reflect a more positive connotation of the program and our students. Before LIFES Academy, children from Franklin County had to be transported to Roanoke to attend school. It’s not only beneficial for the students to attend school in their own County, but there is a huge economic impact as well. STEP saves Franklin County more than $300,000 annually by providing LIFES Academy in Franklin County (compared to paying tuition and transportation costs outside of the County).

LIFES Academy currently operates an elementary program (K-5) and a secondary program (6-12). The suggested maximum length of attendance at LIFES Academy is 2 years. Each classroom has one teacher and two teacher assistants. One of the reasons for the success of LIFES students is the small classrooms; each classroom can hold a maximum of 10 students for a teacher/student ration of less than 4:1. Each student is eligible for the entire spectrum of services that the Franklin County Public School System offers if the services are appropriate for that particular student.