Checked the stats on T.C. Williams H.S. now and half-expected it to be a slum institution. Approximately 50% Black, 25% White, 24% Hispanic, and 8% Asian (more than 100%, but I'm quoting from memory).
They give each student a free laptop. Has online SAT practice exams. Seems to draw from wide economic range. Fair number of AP courses (would like to see the makeup of the AP classes, White and Asian I suspect). Still has good track teams. Pride of Alexandria. Only public hs because Alexandria's other hs is a 'governor's school' (whatever that is).
Reminds me of Long Beach Poly HS. Would be a ghetto school (and is certainly located in a ghetto) but is a showcase for the district, so in essence has a school within a school. One school has strong academics, with the White and Asian students participating in tennis and golf and volleyball and academic clubs. The other school is remedial with the Black and Hispanic students playing football and basketball. The benighted Asians, such as Cambodians, are remedial but don't participate in sports.
Security is very big with these type of arrangements. Otherwise you lose the Whites and the non-cliqued up Asians to private schools (and Lakewood HS). One advantage to Whites and Asians is their graduating class rank is almost by default in the top 25%. 'And the HS I attended was among the most diverse in the world so I'm well versed in the challenges and opportunities presented by a multicultural environment which is why I should be admitted to UCSB/Berkeley/Stanford.'
Very expensive little scam. Nothing has really changed. So what's the point?
BTW, just a happy tidbit for Black History Month. Lonnie Johnson 'invented' the Super Soaker water gun. Which shows to go you what we would be without otherwise. Or am I all wet?&n bsp;