A middle school in Indiana is under federal scrutiny after allegedly hosting a racially exclusive party that excluded non-Hispanic students. Tippecanoe Valley Middle School in Akron, Indiana, faces a civil rights complaint filed Friday with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights and the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty (WILL), a conservative legal organization, filed the complaint, accusing the school of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the complaint, a sixth-grade teacher organized a January celebration of Día de Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) for Hispanic students only, forcing non-Hispanic students into a study hall during the event.
“The school separated the children by race and let those of the ‘right’ race enter the room of celebration, while the others remained outside,” the complaint states. “This is a clear violation of Title VI.”
The school initially promoted the event on Facebook, stating it was proud to “embrace cultural traditions.” After parental backlash, Tippecanoe Valley Middle School deleted the post. The teacher reportedly defended the exclusion, claiming marginalized groups needed special attention to feel included.
WILL Associate Counsel Lauren Greuel condemned the action, stating, “Brown v. Board of Education made it clear: racial segregation in public schools has no place in America.” Greuel urged the Department of Education and the DOJ to conduct a full investigation.
The case emerges as race-based programs and diversity initiatives nationwide face increasing legal challenges. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling against affirmative action, President Donald Trump’s administration has continued to push efforts to dismantle race-based government and corporate programs.
In a related case earlier this month, the DOJ filed a statement of interest against Southwest Airlines for a scholarship program restricted to Hispanic students.
Tippecanoe Valley Middle School did not respond to requests for comment.
