More Blacks, Latinos Accepted To NYC's Elite High Schools

The number of black and Latino students admitted to one of New York City's elite high schools has increased by 14 percent since last year, according to recent statistics released by the Department of Education. Admittance to these specialized schools including institutions such as Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, the Bronx High School of Science and the High School of American Studies at Lehman College, is based on the results of a single standardized test distributed amongst prospective students.

According to the statistics, 730 black and Latino students scored high enough to qualify for entrance to one of the eight elite schools, compared to around 650 in the two previous years. Of the 14 percent increase, Latino students received 8 percent of the offers, while black students received the remaining 6 percent.

Lower Manhattan's Stuyvesant High School, one of New York City's most prestigious high schools, offered black and Latino students 51 spots this year, more than double the number of 2010 and 2011. However, the high school still remains one of the least diverse of the three large specialized schools, according to the New York Times. It currently enrolls over 70 percent Asian students and only 1.2 percent black students. Regardless, education officials have expressed optimism that the record high admission of black and Latino students this year is certainly a step forward.