A U.S. district judge in Pittsburgh separated a class-action lawsuit against Summit Academy into seven different suits for individual plaintiffs Wednesday, April 15, and dismissed eight counts of the lawsuit.

The lawsuit was filed in 2023 against The Summit School Inc. and the Philadelphia County Juvenile Probation Department and alleged seven boys experienced physical, mental and sexual abuse from staff members.

The boys stayed at the school at various times between 2011 and 2021 when they were 14 to 17 years old, according to the lawsuit.

Corporate communications coordinator with the school Gina Samosky said she could not comment on the pending litigation.

U.S. District Judge W. Scott Hardy for the Western District of Pennsylvania dismissed Counts 8 through 16 in the original lawsuit, which related to negligence, liability and consumer protection; and part of Count 3 referring to Fourth Amendment violations was dismissed.

Remaining counts relate to Title IX and civil rights violations, emotional distress, assault and battery, danger created by the state, and relief in the form of institutionwide changes to policy and practice at Summit Academy.

Hardy also said a motion by Summit Academy to sever the plaintiffs was not opposed. One plaintiff remained with the existing case and the other six had separate civil cases filed.

The six plaintiffs must submit a $405 filing fee to the court to continue their cases by Wednesday, April 22. Half them had submitted the fee by Tuesday afternoon.