Vermont School Excluded from State Tuition Program Amid Religious Discrimination Claims

Mid Vermont Christian School faced significant challenges when its girls’ basketball team refused to compete against a trans-identified male in 2023. In response, the Vermont state athletic association excluded the entire school from the state league. This decision affected not only the basketball team but also all other sports teams at the school, as well as students participating in academic competitions like quiz bowl and spelling bee.

The school’s legal battle culminated in a $566,000 settlement in April 2026, with the Vermont Principals Association agreeing to pay damages and attorneys’ fees. As a result, Mid Vermont Christian School was reinstated into the state sports league. The case has two main components, according to Ryan Tucker, Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, who represents the school.

The first component of the lawsuit involved the state sports league, which the school successfully contested. The second, ongoing component centers on the school’s fight against Vermont’s exclusion of religious institutions from the state tuition program. This exclusion has raised concerns about religious discrimination and the broader impact on Christian schools.

The state’s decision to ban the school from its sports programs was based on the refusal to compete against a trans-identified male. This action disrupted the school’s ability to participate in local competitions and forced it to join a Christian sports league, often requiring long-distance travel. The financial and logistical burdens of these trips were significant, affecting both students and staff.

The exclusion also impacted public school students through member-to-member programs, which allowed for inter-school participation. These programs were disrupted, limiting opportunities for students in the broader community. The situation highlights the broader implications of policy decisions on educational institutions and the students they serve.

The case underscores the tension between institutional policies and the rights of religious schools. It raises questions about the balance between inclusivity and the protection of religious freedom. As the legal battle continues, the outcome may have far-reaching consequences for similar institutions across the state.

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