A former Elite Scholars Academy teacher, facing multiple felony charges stemming from the alleged sexual assault of a student at the prestigious Clayton County charter school, has been released on $100,000 bond.
Derek Christopher Gray posted bail late Friday evening, one day after Clayton County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him on charges of molestation, aggravated sodomy, sexual assault, battery, statutory rape and enticing a child.
The incident allegedly occurred in March. Gray was suspended from his job and resigned in May, according to district officials. According to information on the school’s website, Gray taught 7th grade as well as 8th grade math during his four years with the school.
Clayton school officials declined to discuss the case but said in a prepared statement Friday: “Allegations of inappropriate conduct were filed against Mr. Derek Gray in March. An investigation was immediately conducted by the school district. In keeping with the district’s standard procedure, Mr. Gray was removed from the classroom and all appropriate agencies were notified.”
Elite Scholars, which opened four years ago, is considered a showcase school among the 66 in the Clayton school district. It is one of two charter schools in the county. About 500 students between sixth and 12th grade attended the Morrow school during the last school year. Each year, there’s been a waiting list of about 100 to 200 students. Students are chosen through a lottery system and attend school year-round.
The school was recognized last week for its excellence in academics. It was named a 2012 Georgia School of Excellence. It was the highest-performing school in the 13th Congressional District, which includes, Cobb, Clayton, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton and Henry, establishing the school as one of the top 14 performing schools in Georgia, based on the College and Career-Ready Performance Index.
The school is expected to graduate its first senior class during the 2013-14 school year.
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