Formal prayer in public schools epitomes the fine line between what constitutes the establishment of religion and prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Obviously, private schools have every right and privilege to engage in formal prayer; however, formal prayer depending on circumstances in public schools is a clear establishment of religion. Certain circumstances may arise when prohibiting the free exercise of religion is still unconstitutional in public schools because it is always difficult to argue and vindicate for prayer of government sponsored schools.

Furthermore, concerning the U.S. Supreme Court in two monumental cases decided the provision of formal prayer in Engel v. Vitale 1962, which any kind of prayer, composed by public school districts, even nondenominational prayer, is unconstitutional government sponsorship of religion and Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), which Established the three part test for determining if an action of government violates First Amendment's separation of church and state. [1]

Attendance oughtn't be required, but that is no reason not to have a designated area for peoples of various religions to pray on their own time.

The Constitution also makes it clear Church and State are to remain separate.

Since public schools are a function of the State, for that State institution to incorporate religion is Unconstitutional.

Any child or group of children or even teachers should be allowed in their own time to pray if they like. But while teachers are "on the clock" so to speak, they should not be allowed to spend time organizing or participating in organized prayer.

Further the children, while they are taking advantage of the school provided by taxpayers, should not be allowed to spend that time paid for by the public, organizing or participating in organized prayer.

After school fine, before school fine, as long as no State time or treasure is being spent supporting that practice.

But the idea that a school should be allowed to say "we're all meeting for prayer time at noon"

is ridiculous.

And frankly it is kind of dumb. It makes the non-prayers like myself like whichever silly religion even less, and every person participating could just as easily say their silly prayer to them self without all the hubbub.

Opening Statement:

One’s recital of the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ is an act of veneration expressing allegiance to the flag and the republic of the US. This is de facto worship. Moreover, the pledge of allegiance is merely a patriotic prayer of the Patriot religion. (I’ll argue those premises if necessary, but only in response to intelligent inquiries.)

Conclusion: [not argued]

Prohibit all public prayers in school that venerate God,the State or anything that is worshipped.