Supreme Court Deadlock Blocks Oklahoma's Religious Charter School

Tone & Political Bias: Center-Leaning

Why: The article presents a balanced overview of the Supreme Court’s decision, incorporating perspectives from both supporters and opponents of the religious charter school without favoring one side.

What Happened

On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court reached a 4-4 deadlock in the case concerning Oklahoma’s proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School.This tie leaves in place the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that the school cannot receive public funding due to constitutional concerns.

Background

St. Isidore was designed to be the first publicly funded religious charter school in the United States. It would have operated as an online K-12 institution with a Catholic curriculum. The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board approved the school’s application in June 2023 by a narrow 3-2 vote.

Soon after, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit to block the funding, arguing that it violated both state and federal constitutional provisions separating church and state.

Legal Arguments

Supporters’ Viewpoint:

• Advocates claimed that excluding religious schools from public funding programs is a form of discrimination based on religion.

• They referenced past Supreme Court rulings that allowed religious institutions to receive public benefits if they met neutral eligibility criteria.

  
  

Opponents’ Viewpoint:

• Critics emphasized that charter schools are public entities and must comply with the Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion.

• They argued that allowing public funds to support a religious school could lead to taxpayer-sponsored indoctrination and discriminatory practices.

  
  

Supreme Court’s Decision

The Supreme Court’s deadlock came after Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the case. She previously had connections to Notre Dame Law School’s religious liberty clinic, which had provided legal advice to the school.

With only eight justices voting, the split decision meant the lower court’s ruling stood, blocking St. Isidore’s plans to operate as a publicly funded religious charter school.

Implications

• The Supreme Court’s deadlock does not establish a nationwide precedent. Other states may still attempt to authorize religious charter schools, but legal uncertainty remains.

• The case renews debates over the boundaries between religious freedom and government funding.

• It also raises broader questions about how charter schools—though independently run—are treated under constitutional rules for public institutions.

• The outcome may shape how other states approach religious inclusion in their charter school systems and how courts interpret the role of religion in public education.