KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Wilberforce Academy of Knoxville, Christian school planned for the Cedar Bluff area, has sued the Knox County Board of Education. The school is challenging the board’s decision to deny it charter school status because it’s a religious school.
Tennessee law prohibits religious schools from participating in the charter school program, but the final decision on approval comes from local school boards, hence Wilberforce’s lawsuit. Specifically, the lawsuit claims that Tennessee’s charter school limitations violate the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits governments from treating citizens or groups differently because of religious beliefs.
“Unfortunately, Tennessee’s charter-school program does just that,” the lawsuit claims. “Religious organizations need not apply. All ‘religious’ and ‘sectarian’ schools are categorically ineligible for the charter program.”
The lawsuit goes on to say that Wilberforce submitted an application to be a Tennessee charter school last month, but was shot down, thanks to how it intends to educate students, calling itself “unapologetically Christian.”
Wilberforce’s lawsuit claims the school would operate with three key characteristics in mind:
- Biblical foundation
- Civics education
- Entrepreneurial program
Breaking those down, Wilberforce’s lawsuit said the academy would draw on colonial-era religious teachings, encourage education about Tennessee-specific civic engagement and host a program to get students ready for business-building.
The lawsuit is asking that Wilberforce be exempt from the Tennessee law that prevents religious schools from getting charter status. The academy is also asking the court to step in soon, with deadlines for the next school year quickly approaching; a school’s letter of intent is due Dec. 3 and its application by Feb. 1, 2026.
WVLT News reached out to Knox County Schools for comment.
