Latin School of Chicago's middle-school campus is once again under scrutiny over an antisemitism controversy, after staff reported students practicing "Erika," a German marching tune long associated with Nazi-era military bands. School leaders say they have launched an internal investigation and will provide support to any students affected while they sort out what happened.
School launches internal probe
According to The New York Post, the latest incident began when a teacher overheard two students discussing the tune, prompting a notification to families. In a letter to parents, Head of School Thomas Hagerman and Interim Middle School Division Director Kathleen Meade wrote, "Latin does not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of hate," and said the school would follow up with both disciplinary measures and support, according to the report. It was not immediately clear whether any specific punishments have been imposed.
Why the tune raised alarm
The song "Erika" dates back to the 1930s and became a staple of German military bands during World War II. While the lyrics themselves are pastoral rather than overtly political, the marching tune’s association with the Wehrmacht gives it a heavily charged reputation. Wikipedia notes that "Erika" was published in 1938 and later adopted as a marching song by the German armed forces, which is why hearing it in a modern school setting can carry such loaded symbolism.
School's recent history and legal fight
This is not the first time the Latin middle-school community has clashed over Nazi-linked music. Members of the middle-school band reportedly performed the same tune in November 2024, according to the New York Post, a moment that angered some Jewish families. The school has already been under a microscope following a 2022 wrongful-death lawsuit filed by the parents of 15-year-old Nate Bronstein, who alleged prolonged cyberbullying before his death. That case, reported by CBS Chicago, helped fuel calls for outside oversight and deeper cultural change at the school. Many in the community are likely to gauge this latest investigation by whether it leads to concrete reforms.
What Latin says and what's next
Latin’s own website highlights values of inclusion and community, and its contact and leadership pages list Thomas Hagerman as Head of School. Middle-school tuition for the 2025–26 school year is listed at about $47,440 per year on the admissions pages, according to the Latin School of Chicago, underscoring the elite environment in which families say they expect strong accountability. Parents, alumni, and community groups have signaled they will be watching closely to see how the investigation unfolds and whether it leads to noticeable changes in policy or discipline.
The internal review remains underway, and school leaders have not yet announced any public disciplinary actions. For many families, the controversy rekindles broader questions about culture and oversight at one of Chicago’s most prominent independent schools.
