First Religious Charter School

The US Supreme Court appeared open to green-lighting the country's first religious charter school in oral arguments yesterday. A decision is expected by early July.

St. Isidore is a proposed virtual K-12 Catholic school in Oklahoma. In 2023, it received school board approval to operate as a charter school, applying to receive $2.7M in state funds. At issue is whether state funding would violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits states from endorsing a religion. Also at issue is whether barring the school from the charter school program is a violation of the Free Exercise Clause, given that secular schools can apply.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case without explanation. Chief Justice John Roberts may hold the deciding vote, with other Republican-appointed justices appearing to side with the school, and Democratic-appointed justices siding with the state attorney general.

About 8% of US students—4 million children—are enrolled in charter schools. Learn more about the history here (w/video).