Cooper School denies blame in $15M suicide suit

**The John Cooper School Calls $15 Million Lawsuit “Baseless” Following Student Suicide**

THE WOODLANDS, TX — The John Cooper School, an elite private K-12 institution in The Woodlands, is vehemently denying responsibility in a $15 million lawsuit filed by the parents of a student who died by suicide last year. The school, in a statement issued May 2, 2024, is calling the legal action “baseless” and refuting claims of negligence.

Joseph and Jennifer Del Priore, parents of 17-year-old Jake Del Priore, filed the lawsuit on May 1, 2024, in Montgomery County District Court. Jake tragically died by suicide on January 11, 2023.

According to the lawsuit, the Del Priores allege that The John Cooper School failed to protect Jake from severe bullying and cyberbullying perpetrated by two specific classmates, who are also named as defendants in the suit. The parents claim the school overlooked or ignored clear signs of their son’s deteriorating mental state, despite their repeated attempts to communicate their concerns to school officials.

A central allegation in the lawsuit points to a November 2022 incident involving an alleged “hit list.” The Del Priores assert that Jake was suspended in connection with this incident, while other students involved were not, which they believe left Jake feeling unfairly targeted and isolated. Furthermore, the parents claim that just weeks before Jake’s death, school officials assured them he was “well-adjusted.” The lawsuit argues that the school prioritized its reputation over Jake’s well-being, fostering what they describe as a “culture of indifference.”

In response to the lawsuit, The John Cooper School released a strong statement on May 2, 2024, expressing “profound sympathy” for the Del Priore family’s immense loss but standing firm on its actions. The school stated it took “numerous steps to support Jake” and intervened “on many occasions” to assist him. The institution also noted that an independent, comprehensive review conducted by a third-party investigator found no “institutional culpability” in Jake’s death.

The John Cooper School, known for its rigorous academics and competitive environment, serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade in The Woodlands area. This lawsuit brings to the forefront critical discussions surrounding student mental health, bullying prevention, and the scope of school accountability, issues that are increasingly recognized as paramount across educational institutions nationwide.

The legal proceedings in Montgomery County District Court are expected to involve a period of discovery, where both sides will gather and present evidence to support their respective claims. This heartbreaking situation presents two starkly different accounts of the events leading up to the tragic loss of Jake Del Priore. Court records related to the filing (Cause No. 24-05-05537-CV) are publicly available through the Montgomery County District Clerk’s office.