Public schools have a careful balancing act they must perform when their students seek

accommodations for their religious beliefs. As a general rule, public schools may not advance any
specific religion or discriminate in their treatment of different religions. However, they must also
avoid acting or failing to act in any way that prevents students from exercising their right to religious
expression and observation.

Students' Religious Rights

Public school students have a number of rights when it comes to their religious beliefs, including:

The right to use school facilities for religious groups and activities on an equal basis with other school
groups, though the school may inform students that the group is not school-sponsored.

The right to express religious belief in school assignments without judgment as to the religious
content, although their work may still be judged by normal academic standards of substance and
relevance.

The right to pray in a non-disruptive manner when not engaged in school activities or instruction and
subject to the rules that normally apply to their setting provided they are not disruptive to the school
environment.

The right to speak to peers and attempt to persuade them about religious topics, although the school
must intercede where such speech is harassing.

The right to display religious messages, to the extent that students are permitted to display
comparable secular messages, or wear religious garments.

The right, subject to the school's substantial discretion, to be excused from lessons that would
substantially burden the student's free exercise of religion.

The right to distribute religious literature to fellow students in the same time and manner as they
may non-religious literature.