Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to Maryland school admissions policy

Summary

The Supreme Court agreed to review an admissions policy for selective middle school programs in Maryland, following its rejection of affirmative action in higher education. The case comes from parents in Montgomery County, Md., who were upset by a sharp drop in Asian students at the county's four magnet schools for gifted students. The New York Times and Los Angeles Times report that the court's review could lead it to strike down school policies that limit Asian students. Al Jazeera reports that the parents claim the local admission policy boosts Black and Latino students while constraining Asian applicants.

Timeline

1. New York Times

   19 Oct 2026, 15:38 UTCSource ↗

   The Supreme Court will review an admissions policy for selective middle school programs in Maryland, a decision that follows its rejection of affirmative action in higher education.

2. Los Angeles Times

   19 Oct 2026, 20:27 UTCSource ↗

   The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from parents in Montgomery County, Md., who were upset by a sharp drop in Asian students at its four magnet schools for gifted students, and the court may strike down school policies that limit Asian students.

3. Al Jazeera

   20 Oct 2026, 04:38 UTCSource ↗

   A group of parents claims the local admission policy boosts Black and Latino students while constraining Asian applicants, and the US Supreme Court will hear the case on race in school admissions.