Viewpoint school in Calabasas sued over alleged teacher misconduct cover-up

The situation

A $54,000-a-year elite prep school in Calabasas is facing a disturbing lawsuit, and the vibes are seriously off. Parents of students at Viewpoint School are alleging that administrators knowingly ignored reports of a teacher taking upskirt photos of young girls because they didn't think he would be attracted to them.

The teacher in question, 39-year-old Travis Shojinaga, was eventually arrested in February 2026 for child molestation and possession of child pornography. But according to court filings, the school had warnings way before that.

The allegations

The lawsuit claims that as far back as December 2024, students reported Shojinaga sitting with them at lunch and placing his phone under the table. When a parent brought these red flags to the lower school head, Claudia Antoine, she allegedly brushed off the concern by saying he "bats for the other team." The school reportedly labeled the incident a "misunderstanding" and didn't bother to check his phone or take meaningful action, which is a major L for student safety.

Following that initial brush-off, students apparently felt so unsafe that they developed a secret hand signal to warn each other when Shojinaga was approaching, often hiding in the bathroom to avoid him. Prosecutors allege that Shojinaga took 50 to 60 secret recordings of 10 and 11-year-old students by pretending to tie his shoes or pick up trash near them. He reportedly told authorities that his actions made his "heart race."

The fallout

Shojinaga is currently out on $1 million bail and is facing one felony count of possession of child abuse material and four misdemeanor counts of child molestation. He has a court date set for November 11 and is under a protective order to stay away from the school and the victims. The parents involved are now seeking damages from the school to cover psychological and medical expenses for the students. Claudia Antoine, who was mentioned in the suit, retired in 2025 after a 35-year tenure at the school.

Why it matters

This case highlights the catastrophic consequences of institutions prioritizing reputation over the safety of children. It’s a reminder that when students report feeling unsafe, their concerns should never be dismissed—no matter who the adult is.