Overview

• The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether Oklahoma's St. Isidore Catholic Virtual School can receive public funding as a charter school, potentially becoming the nation's first taxpayer-funded religious charter school.
• Conservative justices, including Brett Kavanaugh, suggested that excluding religious schools from charter programs constitutes discrimination against religion, citing prior rulings on religious liberty.
• Chief Justice John Roberts questioned both sides, expressing concern over the state's comprehensive involvement in charter schools but also drawing parallels to past cases favoring religious organizations.
• Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case, raising the possibility of a 4–4 tie that would uphold the Oklahoma Supreme Court's decision to block the school.
• A ruling is expected by late June 2025, with significant implications for the national charter school system and the balance between church-state separation and religious freedom.