Youth Services

LIFES Academy (Lessons in Fundamental and Essential Skills)

LIFES Academy provides an engaging alternative setting for students with special needs. We help students shape appropriate attitudes, behaviors, and life skills so they can realize their fullest potential both academically and socially.

As its foundation, LIFES Academy embraces a partnership approach. We work with each student, family, and other community partners to ensure each individual student’s success by addressing not only the presenting symptoms but also their root causes. We serve students with developmental delays, emotional and intellectual disabilities, as well as health, learning, speech, and language challenges.

LIFES Academy is licensed by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education and is an accredited member of the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF). Students are referred to LIFES Academy through their Local Education Agency's (LEA's) special education department in cooperation with the locality's Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) and Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT).

Please click here to see the media release regarding LIFES policy for free lunches in the community eligibility program (CEP).   

See a typical day at LIFES!

Please click here for a media release regarding  

Project Discovery

Project Discovery is a college access program offered in grades 9-12 through STEP.  Project Discovery encourages students to stay in and graduate high school, and it provides resources and tools for students to successfully make the transition to education beyond high school.

Through Project Discovery we empower students enrolled at Franklin County High School and LIFES Academy by providing tutoring, educational support, SAT and college application preparation, college visits, and other related assistance to low-income, first-generation high school students who want to go to college.

For more information or to apply, visit Project Discovery of Virginia, or contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

LIFES Academy Private Day School School Wellness Policy

LIFES Academy Free Meal Policy

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Flyer

Frequently Asked Questions About P-EBT

Transferencia Electonica de Beneficios por la Pandemia (P-EBT)

Division de Programas de Beneficios Preguntas frecuentes acerca de la P-EBT

FCPS Mental Health tool kit 

Wellness Policy 2021-2024 Triennial Assessment

Wellness Policy 2020-2024 WELLNESS POLICY 2021-2024 

To make a referral, schedule a tour, or for more information about LIFES Academy or our programs, please contact us:

L. Darnell Moore II, Youth Services Director
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(540) 483-5142, ext. 3047