Judge Rules Against New Thomas Jefferson High School Admissions Process

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — On Friday, a federal judge ruled against the new admissions process at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, arguing the policy discriminate against Asian American students.

The federal lawsuit had been filed last March by the Coalition for TJ, a group of parents, students alumni and community members opposed to the admission changes at the school. U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton provided a summary judgment for the plaintiff, the Coalition for TJ and denied a summary judgement for the defendant, the Fairfax County School Board. In the summary judgement, Hilton wrote Asian American students are "disproportionately harmed" by the admissions policy changes.

"The Board's main problem is its focus on the goal to have TJ reflect the demographics of the surrounding area, described primarily in racial terms," Hilton wrote. "Far from a compelling interest, racial balancing for its own sake is 'patently unconstitutional.'"

The Pacific Legal Foundation represented Coalition for TJ for free in the case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

"This is a monumental win for parents and students here in Fairfax County, but also for equal treatment in education across the country," said Pacific Legal Foundation attorney Erin Wilcox in a statement. "We hope this ruling sends the message that government cannot choose who receives the opportunity to attend public schools based on race or ethnicity."

Other groups expressed disappointment with the ruling. A joint statement from the TJ Alumni for Racial Justice and various civil rights groups said measures to remove barriers to opportunity are not anti-Asian and benefit Asian American students.

"Indeed, all students benefit from a system that promotes fair opportunities for all. The court’s decision will harm underprivileged students of color," read the statement from the civil rights groups. "It also essentially stymies school districts from addressing known problems of equal educational access with race neutral efforts."

A Fairfax County Public Schools attorney told the Washington Post the school district will consider a review from a federal appeals court. The school district is reviewing how the ruling will affect the admissions for the next freshman class.

The new admissions policy was adopted by the Fairfax County School Board in December 2020, aiming to improve diversity at the school, as Black and Hispanic students have been historically underrepresented. The new admissions policy eliminated the admissions test and application fee, instead introducing a holistic review. The holistic review evaluates 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.

Under 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.