DETROIT -- A student expelled for having long hair will be allowed to return to the classroom without a court order.

The Redford Academy school board voted on Tuesday to reinstate Claudius Benson, 14, permanently.

School officials had originally stated his long hair was a violation of their dress code.

Benson's mother said she refused to cut his hair because of religious beliefs.

Benson’s mother said she strictly abides by various Old Testament provisions, including a passage in the book of Leviticus that forbids the cutting of hair: “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of your beard,” Leviticus 19:27.

“I consider myself a contemporary African-American Hebrew, if you’re looking for a label,” said Claudius’ mother, Alecha Benson.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed a lawsuit against the school last week on behalf of the family.

Judge Kathleen Macdonald at the Wayne County Circuit Court ruled that Benson cannot be expelled and can return to school.

Claudius has not cut his hair since he was 4 years old.

"Punishing Claudius for practicing his religion is both unnecessary and illegal," said Kary L. Moss, Executive Director of the ACLU of Michigan. "Students should never have to choose between remaining faithful to their religion and getting an education."

After Claudius’ suspension Alecha appealed to the school’s governing board and outlined her religious beliefs. To this date, the school has refused to reinstate him.

“We don’t feel that we should have to change our belief systems for my son to get an education,” said Alecha.

Before filing suit, the ACLU of Michigan sent a letter to the school’s attorney stating that Old Redford Academy was violating the religion and free speech clauses of the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1969.

"We teach our kids about the Bill of Rights, about freedom and about tolerance," said Alecha. "Today my son is getting a real-life lesson. This is about much more than a haircut. It's about fairness, equality and our religious beliefs."

Earlier in the year, the ACLU of Michigan settled another case with the Old Redford Academy involving a fifth-grader whose hair was three-fourths of an inch too long.

The ACLU of Michigan said the child was repeatedly punished with detentions and suspensions before he was expelled.