Former Addenbrooke Classical Academy student files federal racial harassment lawsuit against Lakewood charter school

Jaylen Davis, a Black former sophomore at Addenbrooke Classical Academy in Lakewood, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming the charter school failed to prevent or respond to repeated race-based harassment by other students.

The lawsuit names the school, Principal John Byrne, and former Executive Director Ric Netzer as defendants. Davis says the harassment began during the 2025 school year when classmates made racial comments, mocked him with stereotypes, touched him and his hair without consent, and later made threats against him.

Davis and his mother complained several times to Byrne and Netzer, according to the suit. Steven Murray, Davis's attorney, said the school took no action to stop the harassment or protect Davis.

"Essentially, what they did, they protected the interests of the white students that were doing the harassing. They were not disciplined," Murray said.

Near the end of the school year, the lawsuit says Davis learned about racist and threatening graffiti written on the wall of a boys restroom. Phrases included "Slave auction," "Black's for sale," and "Rape some (racial slur)," according to photos taken by a student and cited in the lawsuit.

The photos show Davis's name underneath the writings, along with the names of four other students of color, the lawsuit claims. The suit alleges the school locked the restroom doors and did not notify Davis or his mother about the graffiti. Davis learned about it only after another student showed him a photo.

With only a few weeks left in the school year, the lawsuit says neither Davis nor his mother was told who was responsible or whether any discipline was imposed.

The complaint says administrators did not open a bullying, harassment, or discrimination investigation after hearing Davis's complaints. It also alleges that Netzer told Davis to "hit punch or slug" the students targeting him.

According to the school's website, Netzer is no longer executive director but still holds a leadership role on the school's accountability committee. Byrne remains the current high school principal.

Davis did not return to Addenbrooke Classical Academy for his junior year and instead completed his studies online. The lawsuit says online learning deprived him of friendships, extracurricular activities, academic guidance, and future educational and employment opportunities.

"Returning was neither safe nor reasonable," the lawsuit states.

The suit alleges the school "maintained a custom of deliberate indifference to known race-based harassment." It includes three counts: racial harassment and a racially hostile educational environment under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, a sexually hostile environment under Title IX, and race discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Addenbrooke Classical Academy is part of the Jeffco Public Schools district. In an emailed statement, the school said it had not been formally served with the lawsuit but was aware of a press release about potential legal action.

"Addenbrooke Classical Academy remains focused on maintaining a safe, supportive, and virtuous learning environment where every student can thrive. We will address this legal matter through the appropriate judicial channels," the school wrote.

The statement also said the school, along with Jeffco Public Schools, adheres strictly to all federal and state anti-discrimination laws.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages for the losses Davis claims to have suffered by missing in-person school, punitive damages against Byrne and Netzer, and other forms of relief.

Murray said Davis filed the lawsuit because he does not want the same thing to happen to another Black student.