Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Sierra Canyon School: Lawsuit Allowed to Proceed Publicly
A lawsuit against Sierra Canyon School in California has been allowed to proceed publicly after a judge denied the school's request for a closed-door handling. The lawsuit alleges a student-run "kissing club" involving sexual abuse of children as young as seven. The parents of a nine-year-old girl, identified as E.K., filed the lawsuit, claiming that older students coerced younger children into sexual acts. The behavior allegedly occurred in school bathrooms due to inadequate supervision by teachers and administrators at the prestigious Chatsworth campus.
The lawsuit also accuses school officials of failing to promptly notify law enforcement or families after discovering videos of the incidents on students' cellphones. The severity of the allegations was highlighted by Judge David B. Gelfound, who referenced the repeated harassment and bullying of E.K. by older students during school hours. This is the second lawsuit filed against Sierra Canyon involving similar allegations, according to attorney Sam Dordulian, who represents the family.
Sierra Canyon has denied the allegations and stated that they took concerns about student welfare seriously once they were raised in 2024. The school maintains that they conducted a thorough review and implemented corrective measures. Sierra Canyon School, a celebrity-favorite campus attended by the children of celebrities and elite basketball prospects, has a reputation as one of Southern California's most elite private schools. The case has attracted widespread attention due to the school's high-profile student body and tuition exceeding $46,000 annually for high school students.
Now that the case will proceed publicly, the lawsuit enters the discovery phase, allowing attorneys to seek internal emails, school records, disciplinary files, and sworn testimony as both sides prepare for a possible jury trial. Sierra Canyon School and attorneys representing the family have been contacted for additional comment on the matter.