Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)

1) Link to the Actual Opinion
Read the U.S. Reports opinion (PDF)

2) Summary of the Opinion
Oregon passed a law requiring all children to attend public schools, effectively banning private and parochial schools. The Society of Sisters, which ran Catholic schools, challenged the law. The Supreme Court struck it down, ruling that the 14th Amendment’s Due Process Clause protects parents’ right to direct their children’s education and to choose private or religious schools.

3) Why It Mattered
Pierce reinforced the principle that children are not “mere creatures of the state” and that parents retain authority in education. It is one of the cornerstone cases for parental rights in America.

4) What It Provided or Took Away

• Provided: Recognition of parents’ right to choose private or religious schooling.
• Took Away: State power to monopolize education by requiring only public schools.

5) Overreach or Proper Role?
The Court acted squarely within its role, protecting family autonomy and pluralism in education against state overreach.

6) Plain-English Impact Today
Parents can choose to send their kids to private or religious schools instead of public schools. The government cannot force all children into one type of school.

• Parental Rights
• Education
• Substantive Due Process
• Religion