Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys are asking the 2nd Circuit to allow Mid Vermont Christian School and a Christian family to participate fully in state education benefit programs.
A Vermont Christian school and a Christian family are continuing their federal court fight over access to state education programs that they say exclude them because of their religious beliefs.
Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys appeared before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in the case involving Mid Vermont Christian School and a family whose children attend the school.
ADF argues that Vermont cannot make otherwise available public benefits contingent on a religious school abandoning or compromising its religious beliefs and practices. The organization says the school and family have been excluded from education benefits available to other Vermont students and schools.
The litigation follows a related dispute involving Mid Vermont Christian School and the Vermont Principals’ Association. Earlier this year, the association agreed to a partial settlement after the school had been excluded from athletic competition following its decision not to participate in a girls basketball game involving a transgender athlete.
The current appeal focuses on Vermont education benefit programs and whether the state’s requirements unlawfully burden the religious exercise of participating families and schools. The case is Mid Vermont Christian School v. Saunders.
Sources
Alliance Defending Freedom Media, Sept. 21, 2026; federal court filings.
