Exclusive: Christian school attempts to defend expelling student for being gay

A private Christian school has defended its expulsion of a gay pupil.

In a statement to Attitude approved by Tony Jeffrey, Head of School at Covenant Christian Academy in Texas, a rep said the expulsion of the teen in August was “not something we ever enjoy doing.”

Calling Devin Bryant “a well-behaved student, talented artist and gifted athlete”, the school wished him “every success in his studies and in life” but said the explusion was “necessary within a community committed to the Lord and each other within our shared framework of faith.”

Yesterday, Attitude reported how Bryant was expelled after coming out as gay on Instagram and decorating his school parking space with the words: “Super Hot, Fun, Attractive, Fast-driving, Insane, Very Smart, Outgoing, Party Freak, Young, Gay (as in happy don’t worry lol), Pretty, Reckless, Humble, Pyromaniac, Fun, Gay (as in homosexual this time, sorry) Person Parking Only.” (As per the Dallas Voice).

“Lifestyle not consistent with applicable biblical standards”

Covenant Christian Academy’s statement to Attitude in full:

“Covenant Christian Academy (CCA) is unapologetically a Classical, Christian school with a mission to provide a biblically-based, college preparatory education. CCA welcomes students from Christian families of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities and life experiences to join with our voluntary community.

“As a private Christian institution, all students and their parents are required to sign an annual enrollment contract for the current and prior school years that clearly acknowledges, “we are agreeing for ourselves and our students to accept and abide by all policies, rules, and regulations of CCA.” These practices include community guidelines outlining expected behavior based on deeply held religious beliefs, and contain a section on Morality Misconduct that is clearly defined and prominently stated in the contract document.

“The contract also states if a student or parent/guardian does not respect or cannot  support the “educational mission, spiritual and ethical principles, disciplinary policies and procedures, academic guidelines and standards, and any other such policies, guidelines, or standards essential to the school’s mission,” the student’s enrollment at CCA can be terminated or not renewed at any time. 

“That is not something we ever enjoy doing, but which sometimes becomes necessary within a community committed to the Lord and each other within our shared framework of faith. That assessment was further complicated by the fact that Devin has been enrolled at CCA since Pre-K and is a well-behaved student, talented artist and gifted athlete who has made significant contributions to our program during his tenure here.

“However, at the outset of this school year, Devin made clear his decision to take on a more activist role, openly promoting a “lifestyle not consistent with applicable biblical standards,” per the annual enrollment contract, that led to his expulsion. Devin and his mother had the right to enroll at other schools that do not have these religious beliefs, but they made a conscious choice to attend CCA and to accept its religious principles.

“While we may disagree on certain matters, School leadership and the Board affirm the inherent value of every individual, as we are all created in God’s image and intrinsically loved by our Creator. Devin Bryant is and will remain an exceptional student and we wish him every success in his studies and in life.”

Attitude has tried to reach Bryant for comment.

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