(Arbuckle, CA) – A former Pierce High School student in Arbuckle is suing the Pierce Joint Unified School District alleging that a culture of racism was excused and encouraged among students and staff.

According to The Appeal-Democrat, Jaylen Escobosa – an 18-year-old Black and Latino man who graduated from Pierce High School earlier this year – alleges several instances of racist behavior directed at himself and other students of color, including an alleged assault against Escobosa by a teacher.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed on Aug. 9, during the four years that Escobosa was enrolled, Pierce High School had only three Black students with the majority of students and staff being either white or Latino. The lawsuit alleges that Pierce High School faculty and coaches frequently made racist jokes and used slurs to describe Black and Hispanic people.

School district officials have not yet commented on the lawsuit.