Birthday celebration with rainbows gets student expelled from a Louisville private Christian school

A 15-year-old freshman was expelled from a private Louisville Christian school for a “lifestyle violation.”

Whitefield Academy Student Kayla Kenney, celebrating her 15th birthday with family while wearing a rainbow top and a birthday cake. Her mother Kimberly Alford later shared photos of the celebration on social media.

The post was shared with staff at Kayla’s school where it was then decided she would be expelled.

Whitefield’s mission statement states, “The mission of Whitefield Academy is to serve Christian families by providing a Christ-centered, Biblically-based education marked by academic excellence and spiritual vitality.”

WAVE 3 New reported, “The private school claims the picture is the latest in two years’ worth of “lifestyle violations”. In the expulsion email, Dr. Jacobson said the picture “demonstrates a posture of morality and cultural acceptance contrary to that of Whitefield Academy’s beliefs”.

The code of conduct does address sexual orientation. It says if a student’s off-campus behavior isn’t in line with the school’s beliefs they can be disciplined.

Alford filed an appeal against the expulsion.

She said the school refused to meet with her, but they agreed to change the expulsion to a voluntary withdrawal so it’s not on Kayla’s record anymore.