Equity, Law, and the Future of Selective Admissions High Schools

The debate over admissions at selective public high schools has never been more urgent. With cases like Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia and Stuyvesant High School in New York drawing national attention, the question remains: how do these schools balance excellence with equity in an era where traditional methods are under legal and cultural scrutiny?ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how selective schools can navigate the fallout of recent court decisions, why “merit” must be redefined beyond test scores, and how opportunity—not just talent—should guide the future of admissions.For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com.You can also follow him on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, BlueSky, YouTube, Instagram, and Threads.