Appeals Court Upholds Admissions Policy Promoting Diversity at Elite Virginia High School

A federal appeals court upheld the constitutionality of a new admissions policy at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology aimed at increasing diversity.
The policy eliminated the school's admissions test and guaranteed slots for students at each eligible middle school in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Critics argued the new policy discriminated against highly qualified Asian American students, whose representation decreased, but the court found no evidence of discriminatory intent.
Supporters said the new policy helped achieve the legitimate goal of increasing diversity at a school that previously lacked it.
The case could ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court, which will soon rule on race-conscious college admissions policies.