Except that it's demonstrably NOT a place of religious tolerance even today and all the rhetoric in the world doesn't change that. We have religious freedom, and some measure of separation between church and state, but that's not the same thing.

In addition, prior to 1962 when the USSC ruled against it, Christian prayers and bible reading were common in public schools.

"In 1949, Bible reading was a part of routine in the public schools of at least thirty-seven states. In twelve of these states, Bible reading was legally required by state laws; 11 states passed these laws after 1913. In 1960, 42 percent of school districts nationwide tolerated or required Bible reading, and 50 percent reported some form of homeroom daily devotional exercise.[7]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_prayer_in_the_United_States#:~:text=6%20Further%20reading-,School%20prayer%20prior%20to%201962,oral%20prayer%20or%20Bible%20reading.

Lofty ideals don't count for much if they aren't actually put into substantive practice.