(Scypre.com) – A Jewish family in Northern Virginia has filed a civil rights complaint against the Nysmith School for the Gifted, alleging that the school expelled their three children in retaliation for reporting antisemitic bullying. The parents, Brian Vazquez and Ashok Roy, claim the expulsions came shortly after they raised concerns about repeated anti-Jewish harassment directed at their children, including disturbing remarks tied to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The case, which has attracted national attention, is being investigated by Virginia’s Attorney General and has drawn condemnation from civil rights groups, including the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.
Nysmith School, a private K–8 academy in Herndon, Virginia, has been recognized for its academic rigor and serves a student population of roughly 500. Tuition exceeds $46,000 per year. According to the family, their 11-year-old daughter was targeted with remarks like “you deserve to die because of Gaza” and “everyone at the school is against Jews.” These incidents reportedly began in late 2024, shortly after students created a social studies presentation featuring Adolf Hitler among “strong historical leaders.” The family contends that when they approached the school’s leadership, including Headmaster Kenneth Nysmith, they were met with indifference, and instead of addressing the bullying, the school took actions that they interpreted as minimizing Jewish concerns—such as canceling a scheduled Holocaust survivor talk and prominently displaying a Palestinian flag in the school gym.
In March 2025, just two days after a renewed complaint, the school expelled all three siblings—two 12-year-old girls and an 8-year-old boy—citing a “profound lack of trust” between the school and the family. The Brandeis Center has since filed a legal complaint, arguing that the expulsions were clearly retaliatory and violated the Virginia Human Rights Act. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares described the allegations as “beyond disturbing” and stated that his office was looking into whether the school’s conduct constitutes unlawful discrimination. Headmaster Nysmith has denied the claims, insisting that the Hitler image was part of a legitimate educational project and that the school has tried to maintain balance and inclusion. However, with antisemitic incidents across U.S. schools on the rise—over 9,000 recorded in 2024—the case underscores growing national concerns over how private institutions handle religious bias and student safety.