Latest Admission Rates Point to Continued Lack of Diversity in City's Specialized High Schools

New admission rates point to a continued lack of diversity in the city's specialized high schools. 

The Department of Education's numbers show that just 4 percent of the more than 5,000 eighth graders who recieved offers are black, while only 6 percent are Hispanic.

The percentages are about the same as last year's. 

At Stuyvestant High School, 10 of the 953 accepted students are black, which is actually an increase. Last year, just seven black students were accepted. 

Chancellor Carmen Fariña responded to the numbers, saying in part, "It is critical that our city's specialized high schools reflect the diversity of our city. We continue to review a variety of ideas to continue to increase diversity at our specialized high schools such as increasing access to the SHSAT, offering expanded free test prep, and continuing to examine changes to the admissions policies."