SCOTUS declines to hear new case on race in school admissions

The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to take up a case on admissions at a prestigious northern Virginia high school that eliminated standardized testing to diversify its student body.

Why it matters: The high court last year overturned decades of precedent by ending affirmative action — but left a path open for schools to consider other options to seek diversity.

The justices who declined to take up the case didn't provide a reason.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.

Context: Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology adopted a new admissions policy in December 2020, which doesn't rely on standardized tests, and diversity at the school immediately increased, according to the appeals court's ruling.

The Fairfax County School Board sets the admissions policy for the school.