The Oklahoma State Virtual Charter School Board has given its approval, with a 3-2 vote, for the establishment of the first publicly funded religious charter school in the United States. The Catholic charter school, to be operated by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa, received the controversial approval. 

Charter schools, which are independently managed but funded by taxpayers, represent a small portion of the US education system. The proposed St Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School aims to integrate religious teachings into its curriculum, covering subjects such as reading and math. If all goes according to plan, the online school will open in late 2024, initially accommodating 500 students ranging from kindergarten to high school.

After rejecting the first application due to legal concerns, the Oklahoma State Virtual Charter School Board has granted approval for the establishment of the nation's first religious charter school. The 400-page application submitted by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa emphasizes a holistic approach to education, aiming to nurture the soul, heart, intellect, and body of students. The school is projected to receive $23.3 million in state funding over its first five years.

Supporters, including the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma and Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, hail the approval as a victory for religious liberty and educational freedom. 

The legality of the decision may be tested in relation to the first amendment's establishment clause, which prohibits the government from favoring any particular religion. The US Supreme Court, currently dominated by a 6-3 conservative majority, has previously expanded religious rights, setting a backdrop for potential legal challenges.