POLITICS

DOJ Ends Race-Based Admissions At Jersey City High School

▪

Read, Watch or Listen

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 3

Center 67%

Right 33%

Sources: 3

Jersey City — The U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that it reached a voluntary settlement with the Jersey City Board of Education to end race- and national-origin-based admissions practices at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School, resolving a Civil Rights Division probe into the school's use of seat reservations and admissions criteria. The agreement requires the district to eliminate seat reservations by race or national origin and to implement new selection procedures before the 2027–28 admissions cycle; it also sets reporting obligations to the DOJ and keeps the settlement in effect until mid-August 2029, while noting the school's ranking and enrollment demographics.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

DOJ Civil Rights Division opened an inquiry into admissions at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School.
Negotiations between the DOJ and Jersey City Board of Education led to a voluntary settlement.
DOJ publicly announced the settlement on Thursday, July 9, resolving the federal probe.
The settlement requires removing race- and national-origin-based seat reservations before the 2027–28 admissions cycle.
The agreement remains in effect until mid-August 2029 with mandated status reports to the DOJ.

Why This Matters to You

This settlement impacts how students are admitted to Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School. If you're a parent in Jersey City, this could change your child's chances of attending. Keep an eye on the new selection procedures set to roll out before the 2027–28 admissions cycle.

The Bottom Line

The DOJ's decision aims to ensure fairness in school admissions, regardless of race or national origin. This is a significant shift in policy that could influence other school districts. Worth forwarding if you know someone navigating the school admissions process.