Supreme Court Justices Clash Over Religious Charter School Case
In a surprising moment of intra-court tension, Justice Sonia Sotomayor interrupted her colleague, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, during oral arguments on a contentious case involving a proposed online Catholic charter school in Oklahoma. The case, which has the potential to redefine the intersection of education and religious freedom, centers on whether taxpayer dollars should be allocated to fund a religious educational institution.
The stakes are high: if the Supreme Court decides in favor of St. Isadore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, it would mark the inception of taxpayer-funded religious education in the U.S.—a move that has sparked significant debate about the implications for religious liberty and public education.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself from the proceedings, leaving the remaining justices to deliberate the merits of the case, with a ruling anticipated this summer.
Solicitor General John Sauer represented St. Isadore, arguing that if the state mandated the teaching of evolution, a refusal by the school would not grant it an exemption. He emphasized that the state holds a compelling interest in educating students on evolution, suggesting that the court would need to evaluate such conflicts when considering the case, as reported by USA Today.
Contrastingly, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond voiced strong opposition to the establishment of the nation’s first taxpayer-funded religious public charter school, warning that it could pose a threat to religious liberty. Drummond stated, “This proposal would have grave consequences for religious liberty.” His stance highlights the delicate balance between educational choice and the potential for government overreach into religious practices.
This morning the U.S. Supreme Court will take up whether Oklahoma should proceed with what would be the country’s first government-created, taxpayer-funded religious public charter school. I contend this proposal would have grave consequences for religious liberty. The justices… pic.twitter.com/376aFNoBP2
— Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond (@Okla_OAG) April 30, 2025
In further arguments, Gregory Garre, representing the Attorney General, contended that St. Isidore seeks an unprecedented privilege: establishing a religious charter school while simultaneously requesting exemptions from the non-discrimination mandates that govern other charter schools. This claim raises critical questions about fairness and equality in educational funding.
Justice Kavanaugh chimed in, suggesting that the exclusion of a Catholic charter school from Oklahoma’s public program could be perceived as “rank discrimination against religion,” adding another layer of complexity to the court’s deliberations.
Justice Kavanaugh says excluding a Catholic charter school from Oklahoma’s state program seems like “rank discrimination against religion.” pic.twitter.com/PSPW74ZYmz
— Katelynn Richardson (@katesrichardson) April 30, 2025
During the arguments, Justice Sotomayor’s interruption of Justice Jackson, urging her to “just let him finish,” underscored the charged atmosphere in the courtroom as the justices grappled with these profound issues. The court’s decision could set a precedent with far-reaching implications for the relationship between government and religion in American education.
Audio to follow…
