Trump Admin Targets Elite Virginia High School Over Alleged Anti-Asian Admissions Bias

The U.S. Department of Education is diving into a contentious investigation at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) in Virginia, one of the nation’s top-ranked high schools, over allegations that its admissions policies discriminate against Asian American students. This probe follows a multi-year investigation by Virginia’s Republican Attorney General, Jason Miyares, who claims the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) system deliberately skewed its process to reduce Asian American enrollment.

Miyares didn’t mince words: “These students are not statistics. They’re sons, daughters, and neighbors who deserve equal opportunity.” His office found that after TJHSST revamped its admissions in 2020 to boost diversity—scrapping standardized tests, waiving fees, and factoring in socioeconomic and geographic data—Asian American admissions plummeted from over 65% to under 46% in just one year. Internal communications, Miyares alleges, reveal this was no accident but a calculated move to achieve the school board’s vision of racial ‘balance.’

The changes sparked a firestorm. Parents sued, claiming discrimination, and a federal district court initially sided with them. But an appeals court overturned that ruling, and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case, leaving the policy intact. Conservative Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, warning of broader implications for school admissions nationwide.

Now, the Trump administration’s Department of Education, alongside the Department of Justice, is scrutinizing TJHSST for potential Title VI violations. The administration has signaled it may pull funding from schools with discriminatory diversity programs. FCPS, however, stands firm, insisting the courts have already validated their policy. “We’re committed to a world-class education for all,” the district stated, promising a detailed response soon.

This saga raises thorny questions about fairness, diversity, and how to balance both without tipping the scales unfairly. As the investigation unfolds, it’s clear the debate over admissions policies is far from over.