WESTFORD, MASS. — A Massachusetts public high school has taken an unusual step beyond allowing religious expression, building a dedicated Muslim prayer room and allowing students to leave class to pray during the school day — a decision that was not only supported, but actively encouraged by school administrators.

At Westford Academy, students affiliated with the Muslim Students Association now have access to a designated prayer room inside the school, complete with prayer rugs laid out on the floor and an organized pass system that allows students to step out of class or arrive late in order to observe daily prayers.

Public schools are required to allow students to practice their religion. But critics say this arrangement goes further, crossing from tolerance into institutional accommodation that directly alters instructional time in a taxpayer-funded school.

This is not a case of students quietly praying during lunch or free periods. The setup includes a dedicated room, physical religious materials, and a system that modifies normal class attendance expectations — effectively formalizing religious observance into the school day.

According to the school’s own student newspaper, The Westford Ghostwriter, the prayer room did not originate solely with students. Betsy Murphy, a dean at Westford Academy, was involved early in the process, helping identify the space, supplying prayer rugs, and suggesting the idea to student leaders.

That administrative involvement has begun to raise quiet concern among some parents who question whether school officials should be facilitating religious observance during class hours, rather than merely allowing it. Others have also begun asking whether decisions made by public school administrators — using public space and staff time — should be treated as purely internal matters, or subject to greater public scrutiny.

Mass Daily News has received at least one email from a concerned parent who asked to remain anonymous, citing fear of repercussions because they still have a child enrolled at the school. While the parent did not provide a quote, the message made clear their discomfort with the policy — suggesting some families may be reluctant to voice opposition publicly.

School officials have described the prayer room as an “accessibility” measure intended to make students feel included. But critics argue that accessibility has traditionally referred to disability accommodations, language access, and academic support — not permission to leave class for daily religious obligations.

Because Westford Academy is a public school, its policies, priorities, and use of school facilities fall under the umbrella of Massachusetts’ taxpayer-funded public education system — raising broader questions about oversight and accountability.

The decision also raises a broader question administrators have yet to publicly answer: if one religious group is granted a dedicated space and flexibility around class time, does the school now owe similar accommodations to every other religious group?

Public schools are required to remain neutral when it comes to religion. Once a school formally accommodates one faith, denying comparable requests from others could expose administrators to legal and logistical challenges.

For now, the prayer room remains in use. While no public backlash has materialized, some parents appear to be watching closely — uncertain whether the line between accommodation and endorsement has already been crossed.