San Francisco Waldorf School and Tutoring Company Sued Over Decades-Old Sexual Abuse Allegations by Former Students

A new lawsuit filed in San Francisco County Superior Court by the law firm of Cerri, Boskovich & Allard alleges that two former students, identified as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, were sexually abused as minors by Jason Davis, a former teacher and tutor at the San Francisco Waldorf High School. The suit names the San Francisco Waldorf School Association, the tutoring company One Smart Kid, LLC, and Davis as defendants, and accuses both institutions of institutional negligence that enabled the abuse to occur and continue unchecked.

According to the complaint, the abuse began in the 2001-2002 school year when Waldorf arranged for Jane Doe 1, then a sophomore, to be tutored by Davis through One Smart Kid. Davis allegedly used his authority and access to groom Jane Doe 1, holding tutoring sessions in isolated classrooms, discussing his own sexual experiences, and initiating inappropriate physical contact. The grooming escalated to repeated sexual abuse on school grounds. The lawsuit details a particularly egregious incident in which a school administrator discovered Jane Doe 1 disheveled with Davis in a secluded area but failed to investigate or report the incident to authorities. Despite this warning sign, Davis continued to abuse Jane Doe 1 throughout her junior year.

The following school year, instead of removing Davis, Waldorf offered him a part-time teaching position. During the 2003-2004 academic year, Davis allegedly used his new role to groom Jane Doe 2, then a sophomore, eventually leading to multiple sexual assaults. The lawsuit claims Davis would drive Jane Doe 2 home after school events and sexually assault her during these drives or at his apartment. The pattern of abuse mirrored his earlier conduct with Jane Doe 1, suggesting a repeated failure by the school and the tutoring company to recognize or act on red flags.

The complaint asserts that both the San Francisco Waldorf School and One Smart Kid were negligent in hiring, supervising, and retaining Davis, even after clear warning signs and opportunities to intervene. It further alleges that the institutions failed to fulfill their legal obligation to report suspected child abuse, even after Jane Doe 1 disclosed the abuse years later to a teacher. Rather than supporting the victim or alerting authorities, the school allegedly dismissed her concerns and failed to take any action.

Attorney Mark Boskovich, representing the plaintiffs, stated, “This lawsuit isn’t just about the past; it’s a critical call for all educational institutions to rigorously vet, supervise, and act decisively to protect students. When that duty is breached, the harm to the victims is lifelong and demands redress”.

The case highlights broader concerns about institutional responsibility and the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse, underscoring the need for schools and educational organizations to prioritize student safety and respond decisively to allegations of misconduct.