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4d ago

Supreme Court Signals Support for First Religious Charter School

Oral arguments suggest a conservative majority may allow Oklahoma's St. Isidore Catholic Virtual School to receive public funding, with Chief Justice Roberts positioned as a key vote in the eight-member court.

Charter school supporters Pamela Smith of Sterling, Virginia, left, and Tammy-Kay Williams of Fountain Hills, Arizona, right, rally outside of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in Washington.
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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch speaks at the Nixon Presidential Library & Museum in Yorba Linda, Calf., on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024.

Overview

  • The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on April 30, 2025, over whether Oklahoma can fund St. Isidore, the nation's first religious charter school, with taxpayer money.
  • Conservative justices appeared open to allowing the school, framing its exclusion as discrimination against religion, while liberal justices raised concerns about entanglement between church and state.
  • Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself, leaving Chief Justice John Roberts as a potential swing vote in an eight-member court; a 4-4 decision would uphold the Oklahoma Supreme Court's ruling blocking the school.
  • A decision in favor of St. Isidore could redefine charter schools as private entities, potentially prompting states to either expand religious charter schools or restrict charter programs entirely.
  • The ruling, expected by the end of June, could have nationwide implications for the balance between the First Amendment's Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses in public education funding.