The Supreme Court is set to hear a case regarding St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma, the first religious charter school, which could redefine charter schools as private entities, potentially expanding taxpayer funding for religious education. Critics argue this case could undermine the foundational principle of public schools being open to all, as well as the school choice movement, by dividing schools along religious lines. Supporters of St. Isidore liken charter schools to private contractors and argue that excluding religious schools from funding is unconstitutional. Previous Supreme Court rulings have often sided with religious institutions in similar disputes, and a decision in favor of St. Isidore could lead states to either restrict charter schools or subject them to more state control. The outcome may depend on Justice Amy Coney Barrett's recusal, which could result in a split decision, and the specific charter school laws of each state, potentially impacting the future of charter schools nationwide.

The Supreme Court will hear a case about the first religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School in Oklahoma, which could redefine charter schools as private entities and expand taxpayer funding for religious education.

The case has caused controversy, with critics claiming it threatens the identity of public charter schools and could lead to a division along religious lines, which they argue is detrimental to democracy and public education.

Supporters of St. Isidore argue that charter schools function like private contractors and should be eligible for funding like any other private entity, with recent Supreme Court rulings supporting the inclusion of religious schools in public funding.

Previous Supreme Court decisions have favored religious entities in funding disputes, such as allowing a Lutheran church in Missouri to apply for a state grant and overturning laws that barred religious schools from participating in scholarship programs.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett's recusal from the case opens the possibility of a 4-4 split, which could prevent St. Isidore from opening, but experts predict the ruling's impact will depend on individual state laws governing charter schools.

Oklahoma's Attorney General has opposed the school, fearing that allowing religious entities to receive public funds could lead to taxpayer support for all religious teachings, while the case has been seen as a test for the Supreme Court's stance on religious funding.

The decision could prompt states to alter their charter laws, possibly making them resemble traditional public schools more closely, thus reducing the autonomy that charter schools were originally designed to provide.