SCOTUS will hear case that could result in country’s first taxpayer-funded religious charter school

The Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments in a case that could lead to the creation of the country’s first religious charter school.

The case concerns efforts to create an online Catholic charter school in Oklahoma known as St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.

“It would be operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa,” according to The Oklahoman. “Its operators have previously said the school would be Catholic in every way.”

The plan is supported by Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters:

As the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the St. Isidore case, I stand with Oklahoma families who believe in the right to choose a faith-based education.

This is about protecting our children’s future and ensuring religious liberty remains a cornerstone of our nation. pic.twitter.com/pboybGHt33

— Ryan Walters (@RyanWalters_) April 30, 2025

The problem is that charter schools are considered public schools by default. So if this school were allowed to open, it would be a taxpayer-funded religious school, which critics say would be a huge no-no.

These critics include Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, a Republican who sued after Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter School Board voted 3-2 to approve the school’s launch.

“He personally argued the case during an Oklahoma Supreme Court hearing in April 2024,” The Oklahoman notes. “That court ruled in June that the board’s contract with St. Isidore must be rescinded, saying it violated both state and federal law and was unconstitutional.”

Afterward, both the school and the Statewide Charter School Board appealed to the Supreme Court, leading to a hearing this Wednesday.

If the high court were to rule in favor of the school, the implications would be broad.

“This would really be the first time that the Supreme Court sanctions, if it rules in favor of the charter school, the direct flow of funds from the government and financial support from the government to a religious entity for religious activities,” Case Western Reserve University law professor Jessie Hill told CBS News.

Supporters of the school are asking the state to “quite literally establish a religious school,” she added.

“It’s essentially making a religious school, creating an affiliation between the religious entity and the state that we haven’t seen before,” she said.

But the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board staunchly disagrees.

“Students wouldn’t be compelled to attend St. Isidore, and its public funding would be tied to enrollment, making it a matter of family choice,” the board wrote in an editorial published earlier this week.

“[A]llowing public funds for charters that are privately run and freely chosen isn’t establishing religion,” the op-ed continued.

WSJ editorial board sides with religious charter schools

“Allowing public funds for charters that are privately run and freely chosen isn’t establishing religion.

The constitutional balance here tips to St. Isidore.” pic.twitter.com/hCG5QqSoJ4

— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) April 28, 2025

Some social media users agree.

“Every school has a religious viewpoint,” one supporter argued. “Secularism is not neutral—it is specifically anti-Christian in practice. School choice should enable families to choose a school that aligns with their values. That is the very spirit of the first amendment and freedom.”

Many took their thoughts directly to Drummond, who, as a reminder, is technically a Republican.

Look:

You should pay more attention to what voters want. We do not want you, a false Republican with leftist vales.

— dascleatherneck (@dascleathe70851) April 28, 2025

You’re fighting against religious freedom and are now on the opposite side of Trump on this issue. You’ll never be Gov of Oklahoma.

— NeVeRMoRe (@Bird_or_Devil) April 28, 2025

Quit using religion as a means to deprive children of the type of education you gave your own kid. It’s really vulgar and gross, and shows you really have no respect for the Faith in any way.

— ATL (@rocknrolldr74) April 28, 2025

You’re a jerk and if you’ve actually ever read the Ten Commandments please do point out one of them that is bad for anyone. These kids and parents should be able to choose where their children go to school. You and everyone else should be ashamed of yourselves for hurting…

— Robin Aka horsesarelife (@RobinBroadway4) April 29, 2025

You sent your kids to a religious private school.

Stop fighting against school choice for others. pic.twitter.com/ZfgBR8JhXH

— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) April 28, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
[email protected]

V. Saxena is a staff writer for BizPac Review with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University.

Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.