Thomas Jefferson High School is Still Steeped in Controversy |

So, do you wonder how the Northern Virginia “super” high school is doing? The Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology?

(Here are previous posts about this issue: Is the Lottery Dead? Where do you stand on this change?)

I stopped writing about it, waiting to see what the results would be. If you recall, the County elected to remove the high admissions fee ($ 100) for testing- and then decided to use a lottery to choose who gets to go to the select Science-oriented school. As a means to get more minority participation.

The new process has rendered the class of 2025 the most diverse in recent history. More Black (7% v 1% or so), more Hispanic (11% v 1 to 5%), few Asian Americans(54% v 65 to 75%), and a big jump in economically disadvantaged students. (That means this contingent relies on free or reduced-price school meals. Normally, a maximum of 2% of such students entered the program; this year they numbered 25%.) The average GPA (3.95), however, closely matched the GPA of previous classes. The school class size was also increased from 480 to 550.

Except the Asian American population of Fairfax County believed it was also a way to cut down on their enrollment in the program. And, they got the federal courts to agree with them!

Judge Claude Hilton issued a 31 page opinion declaring that racial balancing was unacceptable. (There was supposed to be a trial, but Judge Hilton issued a ruling, since he said there were no facts in dispute. And, there still is another suit awaiting trial in the Fairfax County Court system.)

The magnet school administration, of course, claims their new policy is race, gender, and national origin blind. (Removing an entrance fee would not have been an issue for the courts to decide; it’s the way prospective high schoolers are chosen that is the crux of the issue.)

The school board is appealing the judge’s ruling. However, no stay has been granted.

What do you think about this?