Horace Mann School
Horace Mann School (also known as Horace Mann or HM) is a private, independent college-preparatory school in the Bronx, founded in 1887. Horace Mann is a member of the Ivy Preparatory School League, educating students from the New York metropolitan area from nursery school to the twelfth grade. The Upper, Middle, and Lower Divisions are located in Riverdale, a neighborhood of the Bronx, while the Nursery School is located in Manhattan. The John Dorr Nature Laboratory, a 275 acres (111 ha) campus in Washington Depot, Connecticut, serves as the school's outdoor and community education center.[3]
For other schools named for Horace Mann, see Horace Mann School (disambiguation).Sexual abuse scandal[edit]
Initial reports[edit]
On June 6, 2012, The New York Times Magazine published an article by a former student, alleging multiple instances of sexual abuse of students by teachers at the school. The incidents occurred during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The article also addressed how school administrators dealt with the incidents over time, both within the school community and, in the case of one teacher, in a post-employment reference. The victims were identified by partial name or letter. The New York State statute of limitations in most or all of the incidents ran out when the former students turned 23. Several of the central figures were dead, at least two by suicide—one of the accused, and one of the students.[12] One of the accused, music teacher Johannes Somary, died in 2011.[13] On June 23, 2012, The New York Times reported that Tek Young Lin, Horace Mann's former chaplain who also served as an English teacher and track coach, admitted that he had had sexual relations with several male students.[14]
Hilltop Cares Foundation[edit]
As a result of the sexual abuse and resulting controversy, the Hilltop Cares Foundation was formed in the summer of 2012 by members of the Horace Mann community, including alumni, to help victims from the school and to promote healing.[15] The charitable organization helps alumni with their therapy costs and addresses related issues in the broader community.[16] It is a nonprofit and independent of the school’s administration and board of trustees.[17] The Chair for Hilltop Cares said they strive to bring healing to the Horace Mann community.[15]
Negotiations[edit]
In March 2013, the school was reportedly in negotiation with more than thirty students for compensation related to the abuse claims.[18] Eighteen different faculty members had been accused, and events spanning the four decades prior to 2000 identified.[13] In March 2013, The New Yorker published an article discussing sexual abuse allegations against former Horace Mann English teacher Robert Berman.[13] In April, The New York Times reported the school had reached a settlement with about 27 of the 37 students identified as having been abused. The school formally apologized on May 24 to the community for the events that had occurred and published the actions the school has taken and protocols which were put in place to protect current and future students.[19]
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