Loudoun County Public Schools are once again under federal investigation. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is investigating reports that a high school student may have taken photos and videos of dozens of underage students in school bathroom stalls. The recordings allegedly occurred over the course of three years.
OCR is investigating whether LCPS violated Title IX law by failing to prevent and properly redress allegations of sexual harassment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
According to the DOE, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating the alleged incidents.
“Loudoun County – yet again – appears to demonstrate its profound dereliction of responsibility to protect its students’ privacy and dignity. After repeatedly subjecting its minor students to the presence of members of the opposite sex in their intimate facilities, Loudoun reportedly stood idly by while an individual repeatedly recorded students, including minors, while undressed and using the restroom,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said in a release. “The Trump Administration will not stop fighting to restore common sense, hold administrators accountable when they sacrifice students’ wellbeing to a radical ideology, and ensure all students can learn in an environment free from discrimination.”
Previous DOE Title IX Investigation
In July 2025, OCR determined that Loudoun violated Title IX by allowing students to occupy intimate facilities based on gender identity, not biological sex. OCR said the male students were retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment claims concerning the presence of a female student in male facilities. In March, the Loudoun County School Board settled a lawsuit on behalf of two of the male students.
DOE designated Loudoun and four other NoVA school districts — Alexandria City Public Schools, Arlington Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Prince William County Public Schools — as “high-risk.” The five districts were placed on reimbursement status for all DOE funds, totaling more than $50 million.
LCPS was the first school system to announce that it would not comply with the DOE’s request to change its bathroom use policy. “The Loudoun County School Board remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring every student in Loudoun County Public Schools is safe, supported, and able to thrive. We also remain committed to complying with applicable law and to protecting the rights of all students,” the school board said in a statement.
Feature image, Roman/stock.adobe.com
