1 of SC’s biggest charter schools’ handbook cited the bible. What’s happening at the school in Beaufort Co.
Bridges Preparatory School’s 2023-34 public handbook cited bible verses and said their programs followed a biblical framework before the document was recently revised to not include religious references.
It is against the law to promote religion in public schools, including public charter schools. BPS is sponsored by the South Carolina Public Charter School District, meaning it receives federal and state funds.
“They have to comply with the Constitution, just like public schools,” said Derek Black, who is a professor of Constitutional Law at the University of South Carolina School of Law. “Public schools are not allowed to compel or promote religion as true (or) as a way of life.”
The handbook said that a “biblical worldview” connects all aspects of the school’s program and “encourage(s) students to follow Christ’s example of leadership through servanthood.” The references were on the “Foundational Statements and Governing Principles” page of the 37-page document. It is unclear how long the handbook contained references before it was changed, or what spurred the update. Previous years’ versions of the handbook didn’t include biblical references.
BPS was founded in 2013 for grades K-12 and is the eighth biggest charter school out of 60 in the state with 1,064 students, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Black said that schools can study religious texts in a historical context, but any sort of promotion crosses the line. It means even though BPS removed the references from the handbook if they promote the Bible in class it would be illegal. He said that could be cause for the state to “terminate the relationship” with the school or demand changes.
“The big distinction is that (studying the Bible as a historic text) is not teaching the Bible as a way of life or set of values that students should conform themselves to,” he said.
BPS did not immediately respond to calls or email for comment.
This story has been edited to reflect BPS’ correct funding. It is not funded locally.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 12:28 PM.
