Prayer in the Public School System

Prayer in public schools refers to voluntary, non-disruptive expressions of faith allowed under the First Amendment, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. While students can pray privately or communicate religious beliefs, schools cannot promote, organize, or require prayer as part of their official activities. The Supreme Court has upheld this balance by permitting silent, individual prayer but forbidding school-led or coerced religious practices to ensure religious neutrality in public education. This approach respects students' rights to religious expression while maintaining the separation of church and state within the educational environment.