The Oklahoma Supreme Court has halted the establishment of the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School. The court’s 7-1 ruling determined that the school’s approval by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board violated both the state and U.S. Constitutions, specifically the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion.
Justice James Winchester, writing for the majority, emphasized that “a charter school must be nonsectarian” and that allowing St. Isidore to operate would mean state sponsorship of religious education. “St. Isidore will evangelize the Catholic school curriculum while sponsored by the state,” Winchester wrote, underscoring the court’s stance that public funds cannot support religious instruction.
The proposed school, supported by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, aimed to provide online education with a Catholic perspective to students across Oklahoma, particularly in rural areas. However, the ruling directed the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board to rescind its contract with the school, which had been approved in June 2023.
The decision has ignited a national debate, reflecting broader tensions over the role of religion in publicly funded education. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who filed the lawsuit against the school, praised the ruling as a victory for religious liberty. “The framers of the U.S. Constitution and those who drafted Oklahoma’s Constitution clearly understood how best to protect religious freedom: by preventing the state from sponsoring any religion at all,” Drummond stated.
On the other side, supporters of St. Isidore, including Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and State Superintendent Ryan Walters, expressed deep disappointment. “I’m concerned we’ve sent a troubling message that religious groups are second-class participants in our education system,” Stitt remarked. Walters criticized the ruling as one of the worst by the state Supreme Court, arguing it removes educational options for families who seek alternatives to traditional public schools.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa vowed to explore all legal options following the court’s decision. Archbishop Paul Coakley and Bishop David Konderla issued a joint statement, saying, “We will consider all legal options and remain steadfast in our belief that St. Isidore would have and could still be a valuable asset to students, regardless of socioeconomic, race, or faith backgrounds.”
This ruling comes amid a broader conservative push to direct public funds toward religious education, a movement likely to see further legal battles. The case may ultimately reach the U.S. Supreme Court, whose conservative majority has shown openness to expanding the role of religion in public life
