A lawsuit accusing Sierra Canyon School, a prestigious private academy in California, of failing to address a student-run ‘kissing club’ involving alleged abuse of young children, will now proceed publicly. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David B. Gelfound denied the school’s request to handle the case privately, allowing it to move towards a possible jury trial.

Allegations and Legal Proceedings

The lawsuit, filed by the parents of a now-nine-year-old girl identified as E.K., claims that the abuse began when she was just seven years old. The family alleges that older female students pressured younger children into inappropriate acts in school bathrooms, including kissing and other forms of contact. These actions reportedly went unchecked due to inadequate supervision at the school, which is known for educating children of celebrities like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, and LeBron James’ sons.

Judge Gelfound highlighted the seriousness of the allegations, noting that the parents claim E.K. was harassed and bullied by older students during school hours. The family also alleges that school officials discovered videos of these incidents on student cellphones but failed to notify law enforcement or families promptly, potentially violating California’s mandatory child abuse reporting laws.

School’s Response and Public Attention

Sierra Canyon School has denied the allegations, stating that they took student welfare concerns seriously once they were raised in 2024. The school claims to have conducted a thorough review and implemented corrective measures. In a statement, the school emphasized their commitment to protecting students and maintaining the truth, arguing that the allegations misrepresent what occurred.

The case has drawn significant attention due to Sierra Canyon’s reputation as an elite institution with high-profile students. The school’s annual tuition for high school students exceeds $46,000, adding to the public interest in the proceedings. As the lawsuit enters the discovery phase, both sides will prepare for a possible jury trial, seeking internal communications and records from the school.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.