Fairfax Co. Schools Found in Violation by OAG for Admissions Process Discrimination

By Jessica James, reprinted from wjla.com, May 21, 2025

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares gave an update on Wednesday regarding an investigation following the controversy surrounding Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County.

Miyares said his office has notified Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) that it is in violation of the Virginia Human Rights Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against Asian American students in the admissions process at the school.

“Let me be clear, discrimination is wrong, and when that discrimination comes from those entrusted to educate our children and uphold the law, it is especially troubling,” said Miyares.

This comes after FCPS changed admissions procedures for the school in 2020, got rid of standardized testing requirements and altered other minimum requirements to apply. Some Asian American parents in Fairfax County believed it discriminated against their children.

“Thomas Jefferson High School was already, at that time, a minority majority high school, but they determined it was the wrong minorities their intentions. It was not an accident. This was it was not an unintended consequence of this change,” said Miyares. “The board abandoned a race-neutral, merit-based system that previously was in place, and they adopted a policy structure specifically designed to reduce the number of Asian American students.”

According to Miyares, Asian American students received 56 fewer offers of admission following the shift in policies.

Miyares said he is referring the matter to the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Justice for further enforcement under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.