MURRIETA -- Kyle Brodmann, one of several students who decided to sue the University of California system for rejecting some of his high school's proposed courses for college-entrance credit, said he isn't just standing up for himself. He's defending his school and religious freedom.

"Hearing the UC system may not approve of certain subjects, it was like our education was looked down upon," said Brodmann, 18, a senior at Calvary Chapel Christian School, in the first interview of a student named in the lawsuit since it was filed more than one year ago.

The lawsuit contends the system discriminates against private, Christian schools by rejecting some proposed courses for college-entrance credit because they include or are based upon Christian viewpoints.

UC officials have maintained that there is no such bias against Christian academics and that they just want students admitted into the system to be prepared for its academic rigors.

The Murrieta school's top administrator, Des Starr, said a handful of families have left the school because of the lawsuit, but campus leaders believe what they are doing is "standing up for their faith," and Brodmann is a part of that.

Brodmann, who maintains straight "As" at the Murrieta campus while also participating in football, soccer and track, said his education has been challenging. Its Christian bent, he said, has made it fulfilling. Protecting that type of schooling for others is part of his motivation for joining the lawsuit.

Brodmann said he has applied to every UC campus, and very well may attend one. But he said he hopes his actions will help his campus and others like it for years to come.

"This is not only for my school, but it's for me personally," Brodmann said. "It's about what I have learned, and what I believe."

'Future of Christian education'

Brodmann's comments come as the suit continues to wind its way through the legal system. It was filed not only on behalf of Calvary Chapel Christian School in Murrieta, but also the Association of Christian Schools International, which represents more than 800 religious schools in the state and 4,000 nationwide.

Federal Judge S. James Otero ruled late last year that three students could be added to the original complaint, a sophomore and two freshmen who plan to apply to the UC system, documents state.

"This lawsuit is about the future of Christian education," said Robert Tyler, the school's attorney. "As a result, we want to make sure this case stays alive. If by the time it gets to the U.S. Supreme Court, if all our original plaintiffs have graduated high school, it's arguable they could throw the case out because it doesn't involve existing students."

Tyler said he was pleased the judge allowed him to add new students to the case because he wants to keep it fresh and relevant. He said he would continue to ask the court to add students as the lawsuit progresses.

Depositions in the case are ongoing, and a jury trial is scheduled to start in November, he said.

Tyler said he believes the depositions, several of which took place in late January, are going well for the school.

He said the UC system's director of undergraduate admissions testified that even if a course provides all of the material and content expected by the university system, if it is taught from a Christian perspective, the course will be denied for college-prep credit. The director also testified that even though a history or science course includes all of the content required by the university system, it is deemed "inaccurate" if it is taught from a Christian viewpoint, he said.

'UC does not discriminate'

Another UC representative testified that a student who is "saved" would not be "adequately prepared" for studies at the university level if he or she was taught science from a Christian perspective, Tyler said.

"They are hiding behind the argument that the academics of these courses are not rigorous enough or are too narrow of a focus," he said.

UC attorney Christopher Patti, in a written statement, said that: "We do not agree with plaintiffs' characterization of the testimony in the case. Suffice it to say, the University of California does not discriminate against anyone, in admissions or otherwise, on the basis of religion."

Proposed courses rejected by the system include "Christianity's Influence on America," which a UC document cited as "too narrow (and) too specialized" as reasons for not approving the course.

Another one was "Christianity and Morality in American Literature." The class was described in documents as an "intensive study in textual criticism aimed at elevating the ability of students to engage literary works." Authors students would have studied included Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, Benjamin Franklin and C.S. Lewis.

In responding to the complaint of UC officials that some of Calvary Chapel's submitted courses were "too narrow (and) too specialized," the lawsuit lists dozens of other UC-approved courses it contends are "much more narrow and specialized," including "A study of Western Caribbean Culture" and "The 60's: A Closer Look."

Denying science courses

The lawsuit also contends that the UC system approves other high school courses "so long as they are not ideologically disapproved or disliked." It cites about three dozen courses the plaintiff's attorneys believe fall in that category, including "Existential Literature," "Gender, Sexuality and Identity in Literature," "Intro to Buddhism," and "Feminist Issues Throughout U.S. History."

Part of the lawsuit also delves into science classes, contending that the UC system is denying some science courses that use common Christian textbooks because its officials don't approve of the fact that they deal with creationism, the belief that God created the universe in six days, and intelligent design, which accepts most scientific theories and natural laws but asserts they are the result of a higher power.

The complaint cites an e-mail from a UC official stating the textbooks are "not consistent with the viewpoints and knowledge generally accepted in the scientific community."

Starr said that while his peers and pupils are proud of the suit and its objectives, a handful of families have left the school because of what Starr said he believes are misperceptions about the lawsuit. For one, he said, some families think the courses that have been rejected by the UC system are being taught at the school. In actuality, the courses were only proposed, he said.

Moreover, he said be believes the lawsuit has created an erroneous perception that the school's academics are not preparing students for college.

"Our kids are very well-prepared," he said, adding that his students take as many, if not more, classes than their public school counterparts and that the school has been accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the same organization that accredits public campuses.

Despite any troubles for the school created by the lawsuit, Starr said he doesn't regret his decision to join it.

"We are considered a large school, and sometimes there is more responsibility placed on schools that can afford to take a risk like this … to protect against viewpoint discrimination," Starr said. "We are desiring to please our Lord and savior. … This is a form of our obedience to him."

- Contact staff writer Jennifer Kabbany at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2625, or jkabbany@californian.com.