It was the kind of message no school community wants to wake up to. Early Friday morning, Affton High School staff arrived to find swastikas and racist graffiti, including the phrase “wite [sic] power,” spray-painted on the front of the school.
District officials acted immediately — contacting police, securing a professional restoration team and issuing a swift condemnation. But according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Affton’s response wasn’t just fast. It was done right.
“Affton is part of our ‘No Place for Hate’ program, and they handled this perfectly—by the book,” said Jordan Kadosh, regional director of ADL Heartland. “That means they followed the steps we recommend: Notify law enforcement, document the incident, communicate openly with their community and reinforce that there is zero tolerance for hate. Unfortunately, not every district does that.”
A community shaken, but not silent
Superintendent Travis Bracht addressed the district in a letter Friday, calling the vandalism “hateful” and reaffirming the district’s commitment to an inclusive learning environment.
“These acts, which include swastikas and other offensive phrases, have no place in our school, our district, or our community,” Bracht wrote. “Hate has no home in Affton School District.”
Counseling services were made available to students and staff, and the district encouraged families to discuss the importance of respect and inclusion at home.
Police investigating as a hate crime
The St. Louis County Police Department is treating the case as a hate crime but has not identified any suspects yet.
Sgt. Tracy Panus, spokesperson for St. Louis County Police, told the Jewish Light that investigators are actively pursuing leads but have no surveillance footage to release at this time.
“Our investigators are actively following up on all leads,” Panus said. “We do not have any surveillance footage to release at this time.”
While police declined to speculate on penalties, a hate crime conviction in Missouri can carry enhanced charges depending on the circumstances.
‘No Place for Hate’ in action
Affton has been a part of the ADL’s No Place for Hate initiative longer than most districts in the St. Louis area. The program, which provides schools with a structured framework for combating bias and bigotry, offers schools a playbook for moments exactly like this.
“When you’re already proactively working on these issues within your community, you have a plan for when the worst happens,” Kadosh said. “Nobody is immune from being targeted by this awfulness, but Affton’s response sets an example for other schools to follow.”
In recent years, the ADL has tracked an increase in antisemitic and racist incidents across Missouri. While police noted that Affton hasn’t experienced a similar attack in “quite some time,” local Jewish leaders warn that hate symbols don’t appear in a vacuum.
“These acts don’t just impact one school,” Kadosh said. “They embolden extremists, and they make entire communities feel unsafe.”
For now, the focus is on accountability. Affton officials say they are working closely with law enforcement and the ADL to ensure that those responsible are held accountable—and that their schools remain places where every student is valued and respected.
