An Indiana middle school is facing a civil rights complaint over a “racially exclusive party” one teacher hosted for select students in her class.
A sixth-grade teacher at Tippecanoe Valley Middle School in Akron, Indiana, allegedly held a party in January with only Hispanic students while forcing the others to sit in a study hall, according to the complaint filed Friday with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division.
“The School restricted non-Hispanic students from enjoying the privilege of participating in a party celebrating Día de Los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Day, during school hours, despite the claim that the school loves to ’embrace cultural traditions,’” the complaint by the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), a conservative legal group, alleges. “The school separated the children by race and let those of the ‘right’ race enter the room of celebration, while the others remained outside. This is a clear violation of Title VI.”
Tippecanoe Valley Middle School did not respond to a request for comment.
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Title VI Complaint – Tippecanoe Valley Middle School in Akron, In 4.25.25 by Katelynn Richardson
The school celebrated the teacher’s party in a Jan. 24 Facebook post, which stated they “love embracing cultural traditions,” according to screenshots from WILL.
The teacher responded to parent complaints by explaining she “pulled the children out of class to celebrate their heritage and that marginalized societies need special attention to feel inclusive.” The school deleted its Facebook post after parents brought their concerns to the principal, according to the complaint.
“The students were thrilled to honor their culture in the classroom–it was tough to keep the excitement (and noise level) down!” the post stated. “Watching them celebrate with pride, representing their families and traditions, was an absolute joy.”
Screenshot of Tippecanoe Valley Middle School’s Facebook Post (Credit: Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty)
“Brown v. Board of Education made it clear: racial segregation in public schools has no place in America,” WILL Associate Counsel Lauren Greuel said in a statement. “The Civil Rights Act of 1964 reaffirmed that truth, banning race-based discrimination nationwide. Yet today, this school is in violation of both. We urge the Office for Civil Rights and the Department of Justice to launch a swift and thorough investigation into these serious violations of federal law.”
Race-based programs in universities and corporations have become the target of civil rights complaints and lawsuits after the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action. Since taking office, President Donald Trump has also signed several executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the federal government.
In April, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division filed a statement of interest in a case challenging Southwest Airlines’ ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Travel Award Program, which allows Hispanic college and graduate students to receive free flight vouchers.
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