Tennessee Christian Preparatory School has paid $10,000 to a former senior, Morgan Armstrong, who alleged the institution blocked her from attending her graduation ceremony after she came out as gay online. The payout comes one year after Armstrong filed a lawsuit against the Cleveland-based school.
Armstrong, who was described as a "standout" basketball player, stated she was suspended two weeks before her scheduled graduation after posting on Facebook about her relationship with Sophie Bryant. School officials, however, disputed these claims, asserting that Armstrong had violated the school's social media policy through a private message deemed "disparaging."
In the lawsuit, the then-18-year-old Armstrong contested the school's response, arguing she had no prior social media policy violations. The dispute spanned a year before the settlement was reached.
"Tennessee Christian and the Armstrong family disagree regarding the extent to which Morgan Armstrong violated school policies," school officials stated in response to the resolution. "Both parties acknowledge that this disagreement remains unresolved and mutually agreed to move forward. No further comments will be made regarding this matter."
Armstrong announced her relationship in April 2025. According to court documents, she messaged friends to engage with her post, expressing concern about potential backlash from individuals at the school who held conservative views. She was subsequently called into a meeting with Principal Kylie Machachek and Head of Schools Jared Tilley.
School officials stated in a letter to Armstrong that her social media posts, including a private message, were "disparaging" and reflected negatively on the institution, its staff, alumni, and students, despite no direct mention of the school. The letter warned that she would be barred from graduation and that any future "disparaging remarks" could be shared with colleges, with her diploma withheld if she did not comply.
Armstrong's lawsuit countered that "nothing in Morgan’s public post was vulgar, disrespectful, or slanderous" and that the private message did not reference, nor was it intended to reference, anyone at the school. The suit also noted that Armstrong's alleged first-time violation typically resulted in a one-day suspension, not a complete bar from graduation.
Armstrong’s mother, Monica, described her reaction as initially shock followed by anger. Armstrong herself stated that the experience tainted her memories of the school but remained unapologetic about her post, telling The Washington Post, "Everyone else gets to post their boyfriend or girlfriend... So just because I have a girlfriend and I’m a girl, why does that mean that I shouldn’t be able to? I love my girlfriend and I wanted to show it."
In addition to the financial settlement, the school is reportedly prohibited from making comments about Armstrong to colleges.