Image Credit: Providence Academy / Facebook & Google Earth
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A Johnson City private school is facing two federal lawsuits in relation to an incident that took place at a non-school sponsored event off-campus in 2024.
Providence Academy, a private faith-based school in Johnson City, is being sued by the families of two former students for their alleged mishandling of a report of an off-campus rape. Head of School Benjamin Holland is also named in those suits.
According to court documents, the alleged sexual assault occurred on February 11, 2024, during a Super Bowl party attended by several of the school’s students. A student, referred to as Minor 1, stated that four classmates raped him, with a student identified as Minor 2 being the primary attacker.
Minor 1 reported the incident to a teacher at Providence four days later. The school then called for a meeting that included the student, his parents, Holland, and other staff members. According to the lawsuit, Minor 1’s parents say the meeting was “uncomfortable” and it was the first time they had been made aware of the alleged assault.
Minor 1’s parents say they were later told that Minor 1 had been suspended indefinitely; after multiple requests for additional information, they were finally told via email that the student was being expelled “because he presented a threat of gun violence.” The family says no threat was ever made to the school and that the additional allegations have inflicted emotional harm and brought backlash from the community to Minor 1.
In a lawsuit filed on October 13, 2025, Providence Academy and Holland both stand accused of negligence, failure to comply with mandatory reporting laws, violations of Title IX, and intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress. They are asking for up to $13 million in damages, as well as attorney fees and court costs.
The school was already facing a lawsuit from the family of Minor 2, which was filed in January 2025 and amended in August.
Minor 2 was initially suspended after allegations were levied against him, and he later faced criminal charges. Court records show that Minor 2 entered an Alford plea to a lesser charge of aggravated reckless endangerment and was sentenced to unsupervised probation.
Minor 2 was withdrawn from the school by his parents on February 21, 2024, before Holland was able to send a letter notifying the student of his expulsion from the school.
Minor 2’s family maintains that he is “totally innocent” and was wrongfully suspended by the school. They also claim that the school violated Title IX rights, denied the student due process, and failed to follow their own disciplinary procedures.
According to both court filings and Providence’s response, Minor 2’s parents withdrew him from the school on Feb. 21, 2024 — the same day Holland was preparing to send a letter notifying them of his expulsion.
Providence Academy argues that the Super Bowl party where the alleged incident took place was a private event and was not held on campus. They say their actions of suspension and expulsion were warranted after Minor 2 was criminally charged.
They also argue that they are not subject to Title IX because they do not receive federal funding.
A letter was distributed to parents and shared with News Channel 11, stating:
“Our school has a clear and well-communicated set of policies to protect our students,” the letter reads. “In 2024, when Providence received reports of an assault between students that took place at a private party, off campus, and a text threat of potential gun violence, these events were immediately reported to the Johnson City Police Department and the Department of Children’s Services.”
Providence is seeking to have Minor 2’s case dismissed with prejudice. The newer lawsuit filed by Minor 1’s family is still pending in U.S. District Court in Greeneville.
