Supreme Court Blocks Nation’s First Religious Public Charter School

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 4-4 split with Justice Amy Coney Barrett recusing herself, upheld the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision blocking the establishment of the nation's first public religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. This deadlock means the Oklahoma ruling stands but does not set a national precedent. The case, which involved using public funds to finance a Catholic online K-12 school, drew sharp divisions between conservative groups like the Alliance Defending Freedom and civil liberties organizations such as the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who argued that public charter schools must remain secular to protect religious freedom and uphold the First Amendment. Advocates for church-state separation celebrated the decision as a victory for nonreligious Americans and supporters of inclusive public education, warning that efforts to divert public funds to religious schools continue. The decision reflects ongoing national debates about the role of religion in public education amid attempts by some states to introduce religious elements into classrooms. Justice Barrett’s recusal, possibly due to close ties to the Catholic Church, and the lack of a clear majority highlight the contentious nature of religious charter schools in America.