In 2020, we published a three-part series of reports that took an in-depth look at four years of 9th-grade school selection process admissions (2015-16 through 2018-19). This report extends that analysis by summarizing applications and admissions to 9th grade during the 2020-21 selection process (for the 2021-22 school year).

Key findings include:

• Changes made to the 2020-21 application process in response to COVID-19 resulted in more students meeting minimum Special Admission (SA) Criteria. Qualification rates increased for all subgroups. Rates were still disproportionately low for English Learners, students receiving special education services, and Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and male students, though the gaps were smaller than in previous years.
• Application rates declined for all demographic groups and qualification levels, but the overall applicant pool remained diverse. However, the pool of applicants who met SA criteria was not representative of the pool of potential applicants.
• Each year, students are accepted to schools where they do not meet the full criteria.  In 2020-21, Asian and white students who did not meet the full criteria were overrepresented among students who were offered admission.
• Most students receiving an offer from a program accepted that offer, especially when accepted by SA schools.

Use the button to download the 47-page report.