Group seeks approval for virtual Jewish charter school, reviving debate over religious public schools in Oklahoma
Caroline MolloyA group hoping to open a virtual Jewish charter school in Oklahoma is again testing whether religious public schools violate the U.S. Constitution, despite past rulings by the state and U.S. Supreme Courts.
Supporters of the proposed Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School appeared Monday before the Oklahoma Charter School Board, asking for approval to open a virtual academy and receive state funding.
“We believe we have submitted an outstanding application, and we ask that the board approve the application,” said Peter Deutsch, founder of Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School.
Deutsch said the school would offer a public, faith-based academic option he claimed some Oklahoma families have been asking for.
“There are a lot of parents that are looking for a sort of a faith-based, rigorous academic program,” Deutsch said. “But, but there was nothing there.”
That absence stems from a 2023 case involving a proposed Catholic virtual charter school.
At the time, the state’s virtual charter school board approved the school, a group sued, and the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled a religious public school violates both the state and U.S. Constitutions.
That ruling was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett recused herself because of personal ties to the school, resulting in a 4–4 tie that left the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling in place.
Supporters of religious public schools have since looked for another path to bring the issue back before the courts.
“We will continue to move forward to find any kind of avenue possible for this school and others like it to exist in Oklahoma,” former State Superintendent Ryan Walters said in May 2025.
Attorneys for Ben Gamla say they are prepared to take that challenge on.
