St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School is making waves in the education world as it prepares to become the nation’s first charter school with an explicitly religious curriculum. Named after the patron saint of the internet, this online school is set to serve students from kindergarten through high school across the state of Oklahoma.
With the backing of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, St. Isidore aims to bring Catholic education to rural areas where access to Catholic schools is limited. The school prides itself on having a strong Catholic identity, with a curriculum that includes teachings on Catholic saints, the Ten Commandments, and other aspects of Catholic doctrine.
In addition to religious studies, St. Isidore plans to incorporate elements of Catholicism into other subjects as well. For example, science classes will highlight the contributions of Catholic scientists like Copernicus and Galileo. High school English classes will feature classic literature such as the “Odyssey” and “Don Quixote,” along with Catholic readings like “The Place Within” by Pope John Paul II.
The school, which anticipates an initial enrollment of 500 students, also plans to hold two in-person Masses each year in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. While St. Isidore will welcome students of all religious backgrounds, as a private institution, it reserves the right to prioritize Catholic applicants in hiring practices and may choose to reject candidates from the L.G.B.T.Q. community.
As the Supreme Court deliberates on the legality of St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School, the education community eagerly awaits the outcome. If approved, this innovative online school could pave the way for more religiously-affiliated charter schools to offer alternative educational opportunities to students across the country.
