Supreme Court Considers Religious Charter School and Opt-Out Rights for Parents

The U.S. Supreme Court's conservative justices signaled support for a proposed Catholic charter school in Oklahoma, suggesting openness to allowing taxpayer-funded religious charter schools for the first time in the nation, raising significant questions about the separation of church and state. The case centers on whether the state must fund religious charter schools as public institutions, with the proposed St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School planning to integrate religion into its curriculum. Meanwhile, the Court also heard arguments in a separate case about whether parents can opt their children out of public school lessons that include LGBTQ+ books, with several justices appearing sympathetic to parents seeking such opt-outs on religious grounds. These cases reflect the Court's ongoing engagement with the balance between expanding religious rights and maintaining secular principles in public education. Both issues have drawn national attention, with advocacy groups and state officials offering opposing views on parental rights, religious liberty, and the role of public schools in a pluralistic society.