The Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments on whether a religious school is shielded from the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act.
Bettina Winkler was a student at Notre Dame Marist Academy middle school. After an entrance exam, Winkler was denied acceptance to the affiliated high school. Winkler says it’s because she has a learning disability.
Nicholas Roumel is Winkler’s attorney. He says Winkler was the only middle school student that wasn’t accepted to the high school.
“She’s been stigmatized by her disability, stigmatized by her non-admission. Sure she can go to a public school but that’s not what she and her family wanted.”
The school argues that civil courts don’t have jurisdiction to review a religious school’s admissions decisions.