Advance Oklahoma’s Kids Celebrates U.S. Supreme Court’s Decision to Protect Public Schools from Religious Charter Expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2025

Oklahoma City, OK — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand a ruling from the Oklahoma Supreme Court in Drummond v. St. Isidore, rejecting the creation of a publicly funded religious charter school. Advance Oklahoma’s Kids (AOK), a statewide coalition committed to strengthening public education, applauds this outcome as a critical step in ensuring that every child in Oklahoma—no matter their ZIP code or belief system—has access to a quality, inclusive, and equitable public education.

“This decision is a win for all Oklahoma students and families,” said Dr. Kyle Reynolds, an education professional and AOK coalition member. “Public schools exist to serve the common good, not to promote religious doctrine. Our communities are diverse, and our public schools must remain welcoming to every child. Today’s decision keeps the focus on what matters most: building strong public schools that serve all kids.”

St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School, had it been allowed to open, would have marked the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled such an arrangement unconstitutional, stating that charter schools are public schools and must remain secular. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 4–4 split leaves that decision intact.

At AOK, we believe our students can’t afford to wait for a fair and inclusive education system. Public dollars should go toward public schools that are accountable, transparent, and welcoming to all. Diverting limited resources to religious charter schools undermines the promise of equity and the constitutional protections that keep our schools focused on education—not religious indoctrination.

This ruling affirms that public schools must serve every child—no matter their background, belief, or ability. It’s time to recommit ourselves to strengthening our public education system for the benefit of all Oklahomans.

Media Contact:
shelby@okappleseed.org
www.advanceokkids.org

About Advance Oklahoma’s Kids (AOK)
Advance Oklahoma’s Kids is a statewide coalition of community members, advocates, parents, and educators who believe that our students can’t afford to wait for a quality education. We’re building a movement in support of equitable funding, fair and just discipline, and equitable outcomes in public education so that our public schools are stronger for the benefit of all Oklahomans.