Can You Sue Your School District for Discrimination?

When a school district knows a student is being harassed because of race, religion, national origin, or sex — and does nothing — the district itself can be held responsible. We help families hold districts accountable.

When a School District Can Be Liable

Districts are responsible for their own decisions and for failing to stop harassment they know about. These are the situations we see most often.

What the District Did (or Didn't Do)
Ignored repeated reports of racial or antisemitic harassment
Treated your child's complaints less seriously than others'
Disciplined students unequally by race or national origin
Adopted curriculum or policies that single out a protected group
Mishandled a Title IX sexual harassment complaint
Retaliated against a student or parent who complained
Legal Claims Against Districts
Title VI — race, color, national origin, shared ancestry
Title IX — sex-based harassment and discrimination
42 U.S.C. § 1983 — Equal Protection and First Amendment
California Education Code and Unruh Act claims
Government Claims Act filings (strict deadlines)
Injunctive relief to change district policy

How We Handle School District Cases

1

Free Case Review

We review what happened, who at the district knew, and how they responded.

2

Protect Your Deadlines

We file government claims and preserve records before short deadlines expire.

3

Hold the District Accountable

We negotiate or litigate for damages and real policy change.

What Families Can Recover

Claims against school districts can recover damages, costs, policy changes, and attorney's fees. Most cases are handled on contingency — you pay nothing unless we recover.

  • Compensatory damages for emotional distress
  • Therapy, tutoring, and transfer costs
  • Corrected discipline and academic records
  • Mandatory training and policy changes
  • Attorney's fees paid by the district

Get Your Free Case Review

Tell us what happened and how the district responded. We'll explain your options at no cost.

Or call us directly:

(650) 781-8000