A prestigious private school in Los Angeles, attended by the children of numerous celebrities, is facing a lawsuit alleging that it permitted a student-run 'kissing club' to operate and subsequently failed to report sexual abuse that occurred as a result.
The Allegations
The Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, California, was named as a defendant in a civil complaint filed by the parents of a nine-year-old girl, identified only as E.K. in court documents. According to the lawsuit, reviewed by FOX11, the abuse began when E.K. was just seven years old. Older students allegedly ran the 'kissing club' in school bathrooms, coercing the young girl into participating. The lawsuit claims that students were pressured into kissing other girls, touching genitals, and performing oral copulation.
School Profile and Celebrity Connections
Sierra Canyon is a private institution serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with tuition reaching up to $48,600 per year for upper grades and $41,800 for kindergarten through sixth grade. Notable attendees have included Kendall and Kylie Jenner, LeBron James' sons Bronny and Bryce, and Willow Smith, daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. The school is divided into a lower campus (pre-K through sixth grade) and an upper campus (grades seven through 12). The lawsuit did not specify the ages or grades of the older students involved.
Legal Proceedings
Filed late last year, the lawsuit saw a significant development last week when a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge denied the school's request for private arbitration. Judge David B. Gelfound cited the federal Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, allowing the case to proceed toward a potential jury trial. The parents allege inadequate supervision and that school staff, upon discovering evidence of the behavior—including videos of sexual acts on students' phones—violated California's mandatory child abuse reporting laws by failing to promptly notify parents or authorities.
School's Response
Sierra Canyon has vehemently denied the allegations, particularly those concerning reporting law violations and systemic failures. In a statement to FOX11, the school said, 'Protecting our students and ensuring that the truth is upheld remain at the core of our mission. We have never ignored concerns related to student care. When questions were raised in the summer of 2024, we reviewed them comprehensively and immediately took proactive measures we determined were appropriate.' The school has yet to file a formal court response. The former ringleader of the 'kissing club' no longer attends Sierra Canyon, though she was never formally expelled.
Broader Implications
This is the second lawsuit filed against Sierra Canyon alleging similar misconduct, according to attorney Sam Dordulian, who represents E.K.'s family. The families of E.K. and another victim have withdrawn their children from the school. The school could also face criminal charges if an investigation by local law enforcement and child protective services finds evidence of failure to report sexual activity among minors. It remains unclear whether such an investigation is underway. In an emotional statement, E.K.'s mother, Pantea, said, 'As a mother, the feeling of being hopeless and not being able to protect my child from this harm that 100% could have been avoided is crushing. My focus is on the systems and the safeguards that have failed to protect my child.'
