Bible2School Expands Access to Religious Education

The program offers off-campus religious instruction for public school students during the school day.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Homeschooling

Bold vector editorial illustration of a simple leather-bound book and wooden blocks, symbolizing supplementary educational programming. — Bible2School is expanding its reach with the release of 'Backpack Faith,' offering off-campus religious education to public school students during the school day. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local public schools allow students to leave campus for weekly religious instruction?

Bible2School CEO Kori Pennypacker released the book Backpack Faith as her organization continues to provide one-hour religious classes for public school students. The program operates by transporting children off school grounds for instruction with parental permission.

Why it matters

The organization aims to reach families who otherwise have no church connection, providing religious education that remains separate from public school tax funding.

Last year, 54% of participating children came from households without a church home. Following their participation in the one-hour classes, 22% of these families began attending church regularly.

The players

Kori Pennypacker

She serves as the CEO of Bible2School and authored the book Backpack Faith.

Bible2School

This organization has been involved in ministry work for 45 years and provides religious instruction for public school students.

The details

Bible2School functions as a release-time religious instruction model, ensuring classes occur off-site to comply with legal precedents regarding school-day religious activities. The organization requires that all programming operates without the use of public tax dollars.

1914: Release-time instruction began in Gary, Indiana.
1948: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down on-campus religious classes.
1952: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld off-campus religious programs.
Last year: Data was collected on student and family church attendance.

Culture Shift

The program operates in alignment with the 1952 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on off-campus religious programs, which permits students to leave school for religious instruction. This framework allows Bible2School to maintain a legal distinction between public education and religious engagement.

Parents interested in the program must provide specific permission for their children to leave school grounds during the day. Families can utilize these off-site classes as an alternative religious education option that does not require public funding.

The takeaway

Religious instruction models like Bible2School provide a specific bridge for families disconnected from traditional church environments. Parents looking to supplement public school curriculum can explore these community-based programs as a viable path for faith-based learning.