A Las Vegas couple has sued Faith Lutheran High School to stop the school from ending their 15-year-old son’s enrollment in its special education program. A judge has allowed the student to keep attending under the original schedule while the case continues.
Mitchell Stipp Jr. has a diagnosis on the autism spectrum. Years of speech therapy and other supports helped him progress after early predictions that he would never speak. When he reached middle school age, his parents chose Faith Lutheran’s Mark 10:14 program, which is designed for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in an inclusive Christian setting.
The Arrangement That Worked
For three years, the school allowed Mitchell to start class between 10 and 10:15 a.m. so he could keep morning doctor appointments and private tutoring. His parents say that the later start was essential. It let him maintain the outside therapies that were already helping him while still giving him a regular school day and the chance to socialize.
What Changed in High School
Within three days of Mitchell starting high school, the school told the family the modified schedule was no longer allowed. An August email said Faith Lutheran could not offer a modified schedule and asked the family to decide whether the school was still the right fit.
After further discussion, the family believed the issue had been resolved. Then the school presented a behavioral plan that required removing Mitchell for the day after a single instance of stimming and called for a full review of his placement after four instances. The parents rejected the plan as extreme and filed suit. The school responded by telling them not to bring Mitchell back and sending a withdrawal form.
Court Allows Him to Stay for Now
The parents sued the school. The child himself is not being sued. A judge has ordered that Mitchell may continue attending under the original agreement while the lawsuit proceeds. Faith Lutheran says it remains committed to students in the Mark 10:14 program and has tried to work with the family. The Stipps say any money awarded would go into a trust for the program, not into their pockets.
When the Supports That Work Suddenly Shift
A later start time and room for stimming were not extras for this family. They were the practical conditions that made school possible alongside the therapies Mitchell already needed. Watching those conditions get pulled away after years of steady progress is what makes this story so heavy for many parents. If you or a loved one is in a similar situation and needs assistance with the way forward, perhaps you’re trying to explore therapy options or simply need someone to help sort through the options, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Call us or fill out the form on this page. We are here and will walk with you at a pace that feels manageable.
