The Groton School, a leading college-preparatory school near Boston, pleaded guilty last week to failing to report to state authorities a charge of sexual abuse made by a student.
The board of the 355-student school entered the plea on behalf of the school on the day the school was slated to go to trial over the charge. It will pay a $1,250 fine.
The charge against the school stemmed from a 1999 investigation after the parents of a student told administrators that he was sexually assaulted by two older male students. Another student later came forward with a similar story.
School officials failed to file a mandatory report of suspected abuse with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services, as required by state law.