Rutgers Preparatory School

| May 20, 2019 | Schools & Universities

Sexual Abuse Allegations at Rutgers Preparatory School

Franklin Township, New Jersey

Founded: 1766

Location: Somerset, New Jersey

Grades: Pre-K through 12

Established in 1766, Rutgers Preparatory School is a co-educational college prep school that is considered the oldest independent school in the state of New Jersey and 16th oldest in the country. In recent years, the school has been home to an average of 600 students and around 80 teachers annually.

In the early 1980s, teacher and swim coach Stanley Kops worked at Rutgers Preparatory School after allegations of abuse arose at his former job in New York. He was previously teaching at The Horace Mann School in The Bronx, New York. Rutgers Preparatory officials denied ever knowing about Kop’s history of abuse allegations at Horace Mann.  Kops worked at Rutgers Prep for a year before his contract was allowed to run out without renewal following allegations at Rutgers Prep.

Several students at Rutgers complained about inappropriate touching and sexual advances from Kops. Finally, according to media reports, one father who was active in the school community, demanded the school take action after Kops groped his 12- year old son. Kops resigned from his teaching position shortly thereafter.

Kops died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1985.  According to his obituary in the Princeton alumni magazine, Kops was enrolled in the New Brunswick Theological Seminary at the time of his death.

Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse in New Jersey. If you need a lawyer because you were sexually abused in New Jersey, contact our office today. Although many years have passed, those sexually abused by teachers, coaches, and administrators in New Jersey private schools now have legal options to get justice and compensation, but filing deadlines will apply so do not delay in reaching out to us.  Our law firm offers free consultations and always works on a contingency basis.

Contact us at (954) 641-2100 or [email protected] to discuss your case today.