The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped into an ongoing dispute between Nashville prep school Lipscomb Academy and concerned parents, raising questions about whether the private Christian school’s code of conduct unlawfully restricts free expression.
In a letter sent to the school’s leadership obtained by The Federalist, FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson encouraged administrators to review the policy, which prohibits parents, students, and staff from publicly criticizing the school or its personnel decisions.
The agency cited the Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA), a 2016 law that protects consumers’ rights to share honest opinions about businesses and services, in the March 6 letter to the school.
“Under the CRFA, it is illegal to offer a form contract if it would interfere with consumers’ ability to provide performance assessments or similar analyses of the goods, services, or conduct of a person who is party to said form contract. Moreover, form-contract provisions that impede consumers from leaving such reviews and testimonials are void from inception,” the letter reads.
The school’s code of conduct, according to a copy also obtained by The Federalist, warns that “negative communication” could harm the school community and bars individuals from posting “disparaging” remarks on social media or other platforms. Violations could lead to disciplinary action, including student dismissal.
Parents who spoke anonymously to the outlet claimed the school’s policy is being used to silence criticism, particularly from families who believe the school is shifting away from its traditional Christian mission.
While the FTC’s March 6 letter did not announce a formal investigation into the school, the agency emphasized its role in ensuring organizations comply with consumer protection laws and noted it may pursue enforcement actions if necessary.
“Reporting indicates that Lipscomb Academy is requiring, through its Code of Conduct, consumers to agree not to, among other things, publicly criticize personnel decisions or school matters. I encourage you to conduct a comprehensive review of your form contracts—including any Code of Conduct—to ensure that they comply with the CRFA,” the letter states.
A copy of the letter was also sent to Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.
The controversy follows earlier disputes at the school, including backlash last year over how administrators handled a student-led tribute to Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk following his assassination.
Months after students were were barred from wearing suit jackets and red ties to mourn Kirk following his death, an anonymous group of parents wrote an open letter concerning the school, warning, “a subtle but deliberate infiltration of liberal ideologies – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) – has taken root,” morphing its Christian classrooms, “into conduits for secular agendas.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Lipscomb Academy” by Lipscomb Academy.
