Jewish student sues Seattle school district, claims failure to stop antisemitism

SEATTLE — A Seattle family is suing Washington state's largest school district, claiming the administration failed to stop or respond to rampant antisemitic harassment that ultimately led a student to leave her high school.

A 15-year-old former student of Nathan Hale High School alleges months of verbal assaults, threats, and physical intimidation throughout the 2023-2024 school year. 

The reported abuse escalated to a situation in May 2024 when she claims about 20 students tried to assault her at school until a teacher locked her in a classroom for protection, according to the complaint filed in June by the Seattle Litigation Group on behalf of the student and her parents.

"The school did not protect her. The family complained multiple times to the school and they took no action," Attorney Emma Aubrey stated.

The lawsuit states the harassment started shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Aubrey said the family reported to Principal Dr. William Jackson and Vice Principal Makela Steward-Monroe the incidents of "students drawing swastikas in school bathrooms and locker rooms, cyberbullying via social media, and verbal assaults accusing the student of racism and Islamophobia based solely on her Jewish identity."

The family claims Seattle Public Schools failed to investigate those claims, discipline the students involved, and publicly denounce the hate. The family said the district denied a request for the student to transfer schools as a matter of safety.

"[I'm] beyond disappointed, helpless, angry," the teen's mother, Jennifer, told KOMO News. "When kids are threatening violence against one another- I don’t know, maybe suspension. But certainly talking about this is a start and I didn’t see this being addressed in the school community."

The family is asking the district to pay damages and attorneys' fees. An SPS spokesperson provided the following statement to KOMO News in response to the complaint:

"On Tuesday, June 17, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) received a complaint in a lawsuit alleging that a former Nathan Hale High School student experienced antisemitism while enrolled in the district. SPS will review and address these allegations. The district remains dedicated to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all students, and does not tolerate racism, discrimination, or violence in any form."