Civil Rights Groups Seek Reversal Of Ruling Against New TJ Admissions Policy

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Several civil rights groups in Northern Virginia filed an amicus brief urging an appeals court to reverse the ruling against the new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

In February, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled against the new admissions policy, arguing the policy disproportionately harms Asian American students. A summary judgment was provided for the Coalition for TJ, a group of parents, students alumni and community members opposed to the admission changes and sought the federal lawsuit.

However, an appeals court granted a stay pending appeal in March, allowing the new admissions policy to stay for the upcoming freshman class. In April, the Supreme Court denied an emergency petition sought by the Coalition for TJ to vacate the stay granted by the appeals courts.

Now the amicus brief filed by civil rights groups seeks a reversal of the federal judge's ruling against the new admissions policy. It was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which granted the stay to keep the admissions policy for the upcoming freshman class. The brief was filed by Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Legal Defense Fund and Latino Justice PRLDEF on behalf of their clients: the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, TJ Alumni for Racial Justice, CASA Virginia, Hispanic Federation, Asian American Youth Leadership Empowerment and Development, and the Hamkae Center.

The new admissions policy was adopted by the Fairfax County School Board in December 2020, eliminating TJ's admissions test and application fee. In its place is a holistic review evaluating students on their grade point average, a portrait sheet where they will be asked to demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes and 21st century skills, a problem-solving essay, and experience factors. Experience factors include students who are economically disadvantaged, English language learners, special education students, or students who are currently attending underrepresented middle schools.

The groups supporting the amicus brief believe the new TJ admissions policy removes barriers to applicants.

"After decades of under-identifying Black, Latino, English Language Learner and low-income students, including under-served Asian American students who have the aptitude to excel at TJ, the school board rightfully implemented changes to remove barriers to fair educational opportunities," said Eri Andriola, a litigation staff attorney at Asian Americans Advancing Justice. "No student should be denied an equal chance to a quality education, and we will continue to push back against attempts to dismantle ongoing efforts to level the playing field and provide opportunities for hardworking students of color."

Under the former admissions policy, Black and Hispanic students have been historically underrepresented. With the new policy, the admitted class of 2025 had increased percentages of Black, Hispanic and white students. Asian American students still represent the majority of admitted students, but the percentage decreased.

"Gifted and talented programs, including magnet schools, play a critical role in our public schools. But far too often gifted Black students have not had, and do not have, a fair opportunity to participate in these programs, a problem even the Commonwealth of Virginia has recognized,” said Robert Barnette, the president of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. "The Fairfax Public Schools has worked with the community to increase equitable access to TJ. Hopefully, the courts will support the progress made."

Admissions notifications for the upcoming freshman class of 2026 are expected this month.