Brief
Supreme Court to Review Montgomery County Middle‑School Admissions Case
The high court will consider whether the district's lottery, dubbed the Pandemic Plan, unlawfully favors Black and Latino applicants.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will hear arguments on a lawsuit challenging the admissions policy of four selective middle schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. The case, brought by the Association for Education Fairness, alleges that the district’s “Pandemic Plan” lottery discriminates against Asian‑American students while boosting Black and Latino enrollment.
What happened
The dispute stems from a policy shift that began about a decade ago when the county hired consultants to redesign its magnet‑school admissions. The new system weighted applicants’ poverty levels, reducing the share of Asian‑American students, who tended to attend more affluent schools. In 2020 the parent group filed suit. The district later eliminated an in‑person exam, moving to a lottery based on standardized‑test scores, but required higher scores from students in wealthier schools.
What the reports add
According to the Independent, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower‑court dismissal, finding the plaintiffs had not shown that Asian‑American applicants were harmed because they were still admitted at higher rates than the overall applicant pool. The appellate court relied on a recent Virginia magnet‑high‑school case where similar claims were rejected.
What was said
The plaintiffs’ attorneys argued that the court should look beyond simple representation metrics, writing that “under the applicant‑pool benchmark, the government can set specific racial targets, hit them, and avoid even an inquiry into discriminatory intent.” The school district described the Pandemic Plan as a “color‑blind lottery,” saying nothing about the plan is offensive.
How it came about
The lawsuit follows a broader national debate after the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision that struck down affirmative‑action policies in college admissions. The Montgomery County case tests whether similar scrutiny applies to K‑12 magnet programs.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court agreed to hear the Montgomery County middle‑school admissions case. (independent.co.uk)
- The case challenges the district’s “Pandemic Plan” lottery, alleging discrimination against Asian‑American students. (independent.co.uk)
- The Fourth Circuit had previously dismissed the lawsuit, saying Asian‑American applicants were still admitted at higher rates than the applicant pool. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Supreme Court to hear case on race in middle school admissions”
