School Abuse Case Moves to Jury Trial

A judge has cleared the way for a lawsuit against an elite California private school to go before a jury, after rejecting the school's request to keep the matter in closed arbitration. The case centers on a 7‑year‑old girl, referred to as E. K. , who alleges she was repeatedly targeted by older classmates in a student‑run “kissing club” that operated inside the school’s bathrooms. Her parents, Max and Pantea, say they only discovered the abuse after doing their own investigations; they claim the school never informed them and that the problem could have continued unchecked. They accuse the institution of failing to supervise adequately, allowing sexual acts such as kissing, genital touching and oral contact among minors. The complaint also states that when staff eventually learned of the incidents, they did not report them to authorities or notify families in a timely manner, violating California’s mandatory reporting laws.The alleged organizer of the club is no longer enrolled at the school, though the lawsuit notes she was not formally expelled. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the allegations in his written ruling, noting that the school’s lack of action allowed the bullying to persist. The school denies any wrongdoing, insisting it takes student safety seriously and claims it has already reviewed concerns raised in the summer of 2024. Its high tuition—around $48, 000 to $52, 000 a year for upper‑school students—has drawn public attention due to its celebrity clientele, including the Jenner family. With arbitration rejected, the case will now enter discovery, where both sides will exchange evidence and conduct depositions in preparation for a possible jury trial.