Elite High School Admissions Case Targeting Asian-Americans Left Unsolved as Supreme Court Declines Review

The Supreme Court announced on Tuesday that it will not hear a case challenging the admissions policy of an elite Virginia high school, accused by some of discriminating against Asian-American students.

This decision leaves in place the current system at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST), which uses a variety of factors beyond just test scores to select students. This approach has been praised for promoting diversity, but also criticized for potentially disadvantaging high-achieving Asian-American applicants.

The lawsuit, filed by a group of parents called Coalition for TJ, had argued that the school’s new policy, implemented in 2020, unfairly burdens Asian-American students by placing less emphasis on academic merit. They claimed the policy violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

However, lower courts upheld the TJHSST admissions policy, finding it justified by a compelling interest in diversity and not motivated by racial animus. This ruling now stands with the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the case.

This decision could set a precedent for similar challenges to affirmative action policies across the country.

Advocates for diversity in education may see this as a victory, while others may criticize the lack of clear guidance on acceptable affirmative action practices. The debate over balancing meritocracy with diversity in admissions is likely to continue.