McDonogh School Sex Abuse Allegations
The McDonogh School, a private K-12 boarding school in Owings Mills, Maryland, has faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse by staff since the state’s Child Victims Act passed in 2023. Dozens of former students have reported similar abuse, and lawsuits against McDonogh show a pattern of administrative failure to protect the children in the school’s care.
If you or a loved one experienced harm at McDonogh School–no matter how long ago it occurred–you have legal rights and options. At Helping Survivors, our mission is to provide support, resources, and information about legal rights for survivors of abuse.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
- The McDonogh School has a history of student abuse throughout the mid-20th century, confirmed by an independent investigation in 2016.
- Now, the school is facing multiple lawsuits from former students related to abuse by teachers and administrative staff.
- If you endured sexual abuse as a student at the McDonogh School, contact Helping Survivors to learn more about your rights and resources.
Sexual Abuse Allegations Against McDonogh School
As a private institution in Maryland, the McDonogh School serves nearly 1,500 students with 200 full-time faculty. The school was founded in 1873 as a military school and switched to a traditional private school model in the 1920s–though the military-style curriculum remained until the 1970s.
The McDonogh School has previously faced allegations of abuse, particularly by former dean of students Alvin J. Levy and former Spanish teacher Robert E. Creed. In 1992, Levy was charged with sexual abuse, but died before trial. Creed pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree sexual offense and abuse of a minor in 1985 after an incident involving a student in the early 1980s.Some civil cases regarding school sexual abuse were filed against the institution before the Child Victims Act was put in place in 2023.
1940s-1980s – Abuse Allegations
Though many of the abuse allegations against the McDonogh School center around Levy and Creed, other faculty members were also implicated in the abuse of both male and female students. One lawsuit against the school detailed a former student’s account of being sexually abused several times by Levy on weekends at age 10. The victim asserted that the school knew about Levy’s potential for harm, but failed to remove him from his position.
Between the 1940s and 1980s, investigations reported that at least two dozen students were abused by faculty and staff at the McDonogh school, and the Board of Trustees and administrators failed to take proper action.
2019 – Independent Investigation Findings
After the first lawsuit against the school was filed, implicating Levy and Creed, the McDonogh School hired an independent investigative firm in 2019 to dig into the history of abuse at the school. The firm found that five staff members had allegedly assaulted dozens of students over several decades, and Levy and Creed abused at least 19 male students. Three other male faculty members were found to have abused five female students in the 1970s and 1980s. Investigators found that these incidents were reported to the school at the time, but administrators did not act.
After the investigation, the McDonogh School publicly acknowledged the abuse by Levy and Creed, as well as confirming additional cases of abuse by other faculty members. The school issued a public apology and reported the findings to authorities.
Recent Sexual Abuse Allegations Against McDonogh School
Because the Maryland Child Victims Act removed the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse lawsuits, survivors have been coming forward in greater numbers to report the abuse they endured as children decades ago.
In April 2024, a student who attended McDonogh from 1966 to 1970 filed suit against the school for enabling the dean of students to assault him. This was the fourth lawsuit filed against the school under the Child Victims Act.
In March 2025, a group of 12 alumni filed a joint lawsuit against the McDonogh School for gross negligence in handling sexually abusive staff members between 1964 and 1988. The alumni complaint names four faculty members, including Levy and Creed, and says that even “minimal diligence” on administrators’ part would have been enough to discover the abuse. The complaint also named former staff members Josette McMillan and Bart Harrison as alleged perpetrators.
How has McDonogh School responded to the allegations?
In a statement, McDonogh spokesperson Brooke Blumberg said the school was aware of the newest lawsuit against the school.
“We are aware of the new lawsuit that was filed against the School,” Blumberg said. “McDonogh remains committed to fostering a community where students and adults feel comfortable identifying and reporting sexual abuse. We take all allegations very seriously and remain steadfast in our support for survivors while complying with applicable laws.”
The school has also put new safeguards in place to enable it to respond appropriately to future issues involving student safety, including:
- Thorough vetting during the hiring process including background checks
- Policies prohibiting harassment
- Expectations for appropriate interactions between staff and students
- Faculty and staff training
- Student awareness efforts
- Hiring a human resources manager to ensure policies are correctly enforced
Rights and Options for Survivors of McDonogh School Abuse
Because Maryland’s Child Victims Act removed the state’s statute of limitations on civil child sex abuse claims, anyone who experienced sexual abuse at school has the right to file a civil lawsuit against both the perpetrator and the institution. Schools can be held legally responsible for negligently failing to protect victims or negligently hiring or retaining staff with a history of abuse.
Report to Law Enforcement
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse have the right to report the abuse to local law enforcement or school authorities. Any victim can begin the process of reporting abuse to a local police agency to pursue a criminal investigation, and most police departments have officers who are trained to assist survivors.
Internal Reporting to McDonogh School
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex at any school or institution that receives federal funding. If these institutions receive a complaint of sex-based discrimination, sexual assault, or sexual harassment, they must conduct a Title IX investigation. Because the McDonogh School receives some federal funding, it must comply with Title IX regulations. Survivors may report their experiences directly to the school to begin the complaint process as well as reporting to law enforcement.
Prior to filing a Title IX complaint, we highly recommend speaking to an attorney experienced in these types of cases. Helping Survivors can put you in touch with a lawyer for free today.
How to File a McDonogh School Lawsuit for Sexual Harassment or Abuse
In teacher and school sexual abuse cases, survivors have the right to pursue civil litigation against the abuser, the school, and/or any other responsible parties. The first step is identifying who these liable parties may be and gathering all potential evidence of the abuse. Then, an experienced lawyer who specializes in school sexual abuse and institutional abuse cases can assist in filing a lawsuit to recover damages.
Speak to a Lawyer About Filing a Lawsuit Against McDonogh School
Every survivor’s experience is unique; what they choose to do afterward is ultimately their choice. There is no right or wrong answer after experiencing harm. However, if you do choose to seek justice through the legal system, An experienced school sexual abuse lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing justice.
If you or a loved one were a victim of sexual abuse while enrolled at the McDonogh School, you are not alone. If you reach out to us today, we can connect you with an experienced attorney who can provide a free consultation.
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