VA Attorney General Finds Discrimination At Academies Of Loudoun

LEESBURG, VA — Virginia's Office of Attorney General said there is a "reasonable case" to believe that Loudoun County Public Schools' administration of its Academies of Loudoun program discriminated against African American and Hispanic students in its admissions process.

The attorney general's office released a final report Wednesday that included the experiences of students, families, faculty and staff at the Academies of Loudoun. The report also outlined reforms and commitments that the attorney general's Division of Human Rights believes are necessary to address "the impact identified and help ensure equal opportunity for each student," Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring wrote in a letter dated Wednesday.

The Loudoun County NAACP filed a complaint with the attorney general's office in May 2019 alleging discriminatory actions related to admissions to the Academies of Loudoun that violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Virginia Human Rights Act and other federal and state statutes. In particular, the NAACP alleged that 68 Black students were denied equal access to the Academies of Loudoun during the fall 2018 application process for the 2019-20 admissions cycle.

The group called for a full investigation from the school system into the admissions process for the Academies of Loudoun due to the small number of Black students accepted into the specialized schools. After reviewing the complaint, the Division of Human Rights began an investigation in October 2019.

The Academies, located south of Leesburg, opened in August 2018 and are intended to train students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Academies house Loudoun’s science, technology, engineering and career and vocational tech programs. It is made up of the Academy of Science, Academy of Engineering and Technology and Monroe Advanced Technical Academy.

On Friday, LCPS issued a statement announcing receipt of the attorney general's report on the Loudoun NAACP's complaint. The school system said it is reviewing the 61-page document.

"While further evaluation of the DHR report is required, LCPS will continue its ongoing engagement with stakeholders, including the NAACP Loudoun Branch, in an effort to address concerns and resolve differences," LCPS said Friday.

In its report, the Division of Human Rights noted that LCPS has taken steps to "combat systemic racism" since the attorney general's office began its investigation in October 2019. The school system has developed an "Action Plan to Combat Systemic Racism" and a working document titled "Comprehensive Equity Plan" that identifies goals and actions plans for combatting racism.

Over the next two months, LCPS has agreed to partner with school community stakeholders, including the Loudoun NAACP, to develop polices and procedures to increase the diversity of the applicant pool and population of students admitted to the Academies of Loudoun, according to the Office of Attorney General's report.

LCPS said in its statement that it will continue to implement its "Action Plan to Combat Racism" and other initiatives already underway across the school system, including implementing a revised admissions process for the Academies of Loudoun that was developed by staff and approved by the Loudoun County School Board in August.

The school system also is developing intervention and prevention strategies to address discipline policies and practices that "may negatively impact students of color, particularly Black/African-American students, including workshops, meetings, and follow-up sessions with school-based administrators," LCPS said.