School Board Appeals Judge's Thomas Jefferson High School Admissions Ruling

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Public Schools announced Monday it will seek an appeal to a judge's ruling against the new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

In federal court, U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton provided a summary judgment for the plaintiff, the Coalition for TJ, a group opposed to the new admissions policy. In the summary judgment, Hilton wrote Asian American students are "disproportionately harmed" by the admissions policy changes. A summary judgment was denied for the defendant, the Fairfax County School Board.

Now the Fairfax County School Board is seeking an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The school board will also ask the appeals court to stay the ruling, allowing FCPS to complete admissions for the next freshman class with the new admissions policy.

"Judge Hilton’s ruling is highly damaging," said the Fairfax County School Board in a statement. "Failing to challenge it would jeopardize race-neutral diversity efforts not just within Fairfax County Public Schools or at TJ, but also within public education more broadly. The School Board believes that Judge Hilton’s decision does not reflect extensive federal case law that supports race-neutral admissions, and is asking the federal appeals court to review the decision."

In December 2020, the Fairfax County School Board adopted a new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. The new policy aimed to remove barriers that have impacted historically underserved students, including Black and Hispanic students.

The new admissions policy eliminated the admissions test and application fee, instead introducing a holistic review and raising the minimum grade point average. The holistic review evaluates students on their grade point average, a portrait sheet demonstrating 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 intent of the school division was to design a process that removes systemic screening barriers that have historically impacted talented students from diverse backgrounds," the school board stated. "Equity of access ensures that all applicants with the potential and aptitude - regardless of circumstance or background - have the opportunity to attend this Governor’s School."

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Under the new policy, Black students made up 7.09 percent of the admitted class of 2025, while last year's admission was "too small for reporting," meaning 10 or less. Hispanic students made up 11.27 percent of accepted students, compared to 3.3 percent last year.

The percentage of white students admitted also increased from 17.7 percent to 22.36 percent. Asian students still represent the majority of admitted students, although the percentage fell from 73 percent to 54.36 percent.

The lawsuit in federal court had been sought by the Coalition for TJ, a group believing the new policy discriminates against Asian American students.