Stetson Middle School (Edison-managed school)

EDISON SETTLES PHILADELPHIA LAWSUIT OVER STUDENT ASSAULT; July 1, 2008; American School & University (Online Exclusive)
Days after arguing in court that it was not responsible for the safety of its pupils, Edison Schools Inc. has settled a lawsuit brought by the family of a boy raped in one of its Philadelphia schools. In 2004, a 12-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by an 11-year-old classmate in Stetson Middle School. The boy's family contended in a lawsuit that Edison was responsible for the assault, a notion the for-profit manager of 16 public schools rejected. Edison contended that the terms of its contract with the Philadelphia School District called only for it to provide educational programs and training. The family has confirmed that the lawsuit has been settled, but would not discuss details.

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PHILADELPHIA -- An outraged mother says that her 12-year-old son was raped by an 11-year-old classmate at John B. Stetson Middle School in Philadelphia.

The 11-year-old has been charged with involuntary deviate sexual behavior.

The 12-year-old said it all started with a fight over a ball on Tuesday. Minutes later, the boy claimed, he was being sexually attacked…

"I'm upset with the school. They couldn't see two children fighting and somehow they get into the fire escape. How did that happen? How do you go in there without nobody noticing? No alarm systems, no cameras," the boy's mother said…

Late Wednesday afternoon, Edison Schools spokesman Richard Barth said there are no cameras where the alleged rape occurred.

"We are -- Edison Schools and the school district of Philadelphia, which are partners working at Stetson Middle School -- are conducting an internal investigation," Barth said…

The alleged victim has been allowed to transfer to another school. The boy accused of the attack has been expelled. Crisis counseling has been offered to both families.

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