Young Michigan teacher at school with ‘moral focus’ accused of ultimate student betrayal

Michigan authorities have charged 26‑year‑old Jocelyn Sanroman—a teacher at Oakside Prep Academy just outside Detroit— with third‑degree criminal sexual conduct with a 16‑year‑old student in 2023.

According to reports, she confessed the affair to a coworker, who promptly alerted authorities.

Who is Jocelyn Sanroman?

A young educator from Pontiac, Michigan, Sanroman worked at Oakside Prep Academy, part of the National Heritage Academies network. The school bills itself as having a robust “Moral Focus,” teaching virtues like respect, courage, and compassion to help students “discern and appreciate the difference between right and wrong.”

What she is accused of doing

In 2023, Sanroman allegedly “used her position of authority to exploit a minor” by entering into a sexual relationship with a student, leading to felony charges. Clearly, moral reasoning didn’t extend to her personal choices.

Oakside Prep Academy in Waterford Township, Oakland County, Michigan, prioritizes academic performance among students. The school incorporates monthly virtue themes—such as perseverance, empathy, and integrity—into everyday lessons to help students understand and practice the difference between right and wrong.

Authorities charged Sanroman with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony that could land her in prison for up to 15 years if convicted. The academy no longer employs her. Her mugshot is already circulating online, though the court has not yet arraigned her.

Oakside Prep sold moral clarity, but one of its own teachers quietly eroded it behind closed doors. Sanroman’s confession to a colleague ensured her downfall—but we’ll now see whether justice, in the criminal system, follows suit.