An elite New York City public high school admitted only three Black students out of 777 for the upcoming academic year, a development that has drawn sharp criticism from progressive officials and advocates concerned about racial disparities in education.

Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, considered one of the city's top academic institutions, has seen a decline in Black admissions in recent years. Ten Black students were admitted in 2024, followed by eight in 2025, and just three for the most recent academic year.

These figures stand in contrast to the city's demographics. Black and Hispanic students constitute 62 percent of New York City's public school population but make up only 10 percent of students admitted to the city's eight specialized high schools. At Brooklyn Technical High School, Black enrollment has reportedly fallen from 50 percent in the 1980s to just 4 percent in 2026.

Approximately 80 percent of the spots in these selective schools have been filled by white or Asian students, according to The New York Times. The Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) has become a focal point of the controversy.

Maya Wiley, a former candidate for mayor and a proponent of educational equity, expressed concern, stating, "We know that a single test does not reflect the aptitude of students across the city. We know that there is so much more work to be done, especially to address the racial inequities that we've seen not just when we're talking about the disparities in admissions of one test, but across the system as a whole."

Former Mayor Eric Adams has also criticized the SHSAT, describing it as contributing to a "Jim Crow school system." However, current Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has previously called for the abolition of the SHSAT, has kept the test in place during his tenure, despite attending one of these elite schools himself.

Some commentators have challenged the focus on the SHSAT. One social media user argued that these schools are a "bastion of segregation and racial prejudice" and that the city should focus on improving middle schools. They pointed to data indicating that Black and Latino students are more likely to attend elite private schools in New York City, often benefiting from scholarships that are not as widely available to white or Asian students.

Michael Benjamin, a columnist for the New York Post, suggested that efforts should be directed towards improving the quality of education in Black and Hispanic middle schools, stating, "Can't force smart black kids who don't want to attend test-in schools to take the SHSAT. Can't admit unqualified black kids who don't pass the test, either."

Sam Adewumi, a Brooklyn Tech alumnus, echoed this sentiment, noting that many middle schools no longer prioritize preparing students for the SHSAT, focusing instead on meeting state test requirements.

Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels acknowledged the concerns and stated the city is working on solutions. "As we continue working to make our schools safer, more rigorous, and more integrated across every borough, I remain committed to building a system where every child, in every neighborhood, has access to a high-quality education where they can learn, thrive, and grow into tomorrow's leaders," Samuels said.

Any significant changes to the SHSAT or the admissions process would require approval from the New York State Legislature.