Seeking Justice for Survivors of Mark Hodes’ Alleged Sexual Abuse
If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct by former Castilleja School tutor Mark Hodes, you are not alone. Multiple former students have come forward with allegations that Hodes groomed and sexually abused them while they were minors, including during one-on-one tutoring sessions connected to Castilleja School in Palo Alto.
Mary Alexander & Associates represents survivors who have come forward with allegations involving Hodes and Castilleja School. In March 2026, Castilleja School agreed to pay $2.25 million to settle lawsuits brought by three former students represented by Mary Alexander & Associates and Cerri, Boskovich & Allard.
While that settlement resolved the claims of three women, additional survivors have come forward with similar allegations. If you experienced abuse or inappropriate conduct involving Mark Hodes, you may still have legal options.
What You Need to Know About the Allegations Against Mark Hodes
Mark Hodes worked as a private tutor and provided tutoring services to students at Castilleja School, a private all-girls school in Palo Alto. According to a civil lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, Castilleja personnel recommended Hodes to families and allowed him to tutor students on and off campus.
The lawsuit alleges that Hodes used those one-on-one tutoring relationships to groom and sexually abuse minor students. The allegations include inappropriate touching and other sexual misconduct involving students who trusted Hodes as an adult tutor.
The lawsuit also alleges that warning signs surrounding Hodes existed for years. According to the complaint, students raised concerns about his conduct, and school officials received complaints about inappropriate behavior dating back to at least the 1992-1993 academic year.
Despite those alleged warning signs, the lawsuit contends that Castilleja failed to adequately investigate, report or respond to concerns about Hodes and continued allowing him access to students.
Castilleja School Reaches $2.25 Million Settlement With Three Survivors
In January 2025, Mary Alexander & Associates and Cerri, Boskovich & Allard filed a lawsuit on behalf of three former Castilleja students identified as Jane Does to protect their privacy.
The lawsuit sought to hold both Hodes and Castilleja accountable for the alleged abuse and the school’s alleged failure to protect its students.
In March 2026, Castilleja School agreed to a $2.25 million settlement resolving the claims of those three survivors.
The settlement represents an important development for those women, but they are not the only former students who have come forward.
According to Mary Alexander & Associates, a total of 17 women have alleged abuse involving Hodes. The $2.25 million settlement involved only three of those survivors, leaving 14 additional women who had come forward with similar accounts outside that settlement.
“The trauma these women carry was entirely preventable had the school prioritized student safety over its institutional reputation,” attorney Mary Alexander said when announcing the settlement. “While this settlement is a step toward justice for three survivors, 14 other young women have bravely come forward with similar accounts.”
Allegations That Castilleja School Failed to Protect Students
Schools have a responsibility to protect the children placed in their care. The lawsuit filed against Castilleja alleges that the school failed in that responsibility despite receiving warning signs concerning Hodes.
According to the complaint, concerns about Hodes’ behavior circulated among students, and school officials allegedly knew about inappropriate conduct dating back decades. The lawsuit alleges that Castilleja nevertheless continued allowing Hodes to work with students and failed to take adequate steps to investigate complaints, report suspected misconduct or prevent him from accessing minors.
The allegations raise questions not only about Hodes’ alleged conduct, but also about whether institutional failures allowed that conduct to continue.
For survivors, civil litigation can provide a means of seeking accountability from both an alleged abuser and an institution whose actions or failures allegedly contributed to the abuse.
Your Rights as a Survivor
Survivors of childhood sexual abuse may have the right to pursue civil claims against the individuals and institutions responsible for the harm they suffered.
California law provides survivors with specific rights and deadlines for bringing childhood sexual abuse claims. Depending on the circumstances, a survivor may be able to pursue compensation for psychological and emotional harm, medical and therapy expenses, lost income and other damages associated with the abuse.
Every survivor’s circumstances differ. Speaking with an attorney who handles childhood sexual abuse cases can help you understand which laws may apply to your situation and whether you still have time to bring a claim.
Coming forward does not necessarily mean giving up your privacy. The three women represented in the Castilleja lawsuit pursued their cases as Jane Does, allowing them to seek accountability without publicly disclosing their identities.
How Mary Alexander & Associates Can Help
Mary Alexander & Associates represents survivors of childhood sexual abuse and works to hold both perpetrators and institutions accountable when their conduct contributes to abuse.
Our attorneys understand that discussing childhood sexual abuse can be extraordinarily difficult, particularly when the abuse occurred years or decades ago. We approach these cases with confidentiality, compassion and respect for each survivor’s circumstances.
If you attended Castilleja School, received tutoring from Mark Hodes or experienced inappropriate conduct or sexual abuse involving Hodes, we can listen to what happened and help you understand your legal options.
You do not need to know whether what happened to you gives rise to a legal claim before contacting us. Our attorneys can review the circumstances confidentially and explain the options that may be available under California law.
Contact Us for a Free, Confidential Consultation
If you or someone you love experienced sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct involving Mark Hodes, contact Mary Alexander & Associates for a free and confidential consultation.
Other women have already come forward with allegations involving Hodes, and three survivors have secured a $2.25 million settlement of their claims against Castilleja School.
You do not have to navigate this process alone. Our attorneys can listen to your experience, answer your questions and help you understand your legal rights.
Call Mary Alexander & Associates or complete the confidential contact form below to speak with our team.
