U.S. District Court Rules In Favor of Wilberforce Academy
November 7, 2026, 8:48 p.m.
KNOXVILLE — Judge Atchley of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee has ruled in favor of The Wilberforce Academy of Knoxville. The Court was unequivocal: “The First Amendment does not permit the State to require an organization to abandon its religious beliefs or practices as the price of participating in a public benefit program.”
Wilberforce Executive Director Zach Wishart said:
Despite facing opposition from the ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, and the Knox County Board of Education, we have secured a tremendous victory for religious liberty. Judge Atchley rejected their arguments, affirming the constitutional rights of Christian organizations like ours to establish and operate faith-based charter schools. This victory is bigger than a courtroom ruling. It advances educational freedom and opens the door for more children, regardless of their family's financial circumstances, to access a tuition-free, Christ-centered education. We are grateful for this victory and excited about what it means for the future of Christian education in Tennessee. We look forward to opening the doors of Wilberforce Academy, and we hope that our efforts will pave the way for other Christian charter-school operators to join us in Tennessee. |
Wilberforce Academy was represented throughout the litigation by Cam Norris and Ryan Proctor of Consovoy McCarthy. Reflecting on their work, Wishart stated, “We are thankful to Judge Atchley for his careful consideration of this case, to our attorneys Cam Norris and Ryan Proctor of Consovoy McCarthy for their tireless advocacy, and to our countless supporters for their prayers and encouragement.”
