Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology is located in the Washington, D.C., suburbs in Northern Virginia. It has consistently ranked among the best schools in the nation. (Google Maps)
In response, parents filed a lawsuit against the district, alleging that the new admissions policy discriminated against asian students. A federal district court subsequently ruled in favor of the parents, but that ruling was later overturned by a federal appeals court.
The U.S. Supreme Court eventually declined to hear the case, effectively cementing the appeals court's ruling. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented and warned of the possible implications the appeals court's ruling could have for other admissions policies at other schools across the country.
Miyares has been investigating TJHSST's admissions policies since 2023, concluding this week that there was reasonable cause to determine FCPS was "discriminating against Asian American students."
According to Miyares, when TJHSST first implemented its new admissions policy, Asian American students made up over 65% of the school's admitted classes. But over a period of just one year, Asian American admissions dropped 19 points, he noted.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, FCPS said the matter has already been settled by courts that have said there is no merit behind allegations its admissions policies are discriminatory. (Getty Images)
In a statement to Fox News Digital, FCPS said the matter has already been adjudicated by the courts, which it said have determined there is no merit behind the allegations that its admissions policies are discriminatory.
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Nonetheless, the statement said the district was reviewing materials from the Attorney General and will issue a more detailed response in the near future.
"This matter has already been fully litigated. A federal appellate court determined there was no merit to arguments that the admissions policy for Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology discriminates against any group of students," the statement read. "Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) division leadership and counsel are currently reviewing the documents released today by the Attorney General and will issue a more detailed response in the coming days. FCPS remains committed to providing a world-class education for all of our students."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/elite-virginia-high-schools-admissions-policy-under-trump-admin-scrutiny-amid-discrimination-complaints