Woke fury at NYC's top public high school for only admitting three black students in most recent academic year

By STEPHEN M. LEPORE, US SENIOR REPORTER Published: 02:06, 15 July 2026 | Updated: 02:06, 15 July 2026 Many liberals are worried after it was revealed an elite New York City public high school only admitted three black students out of 777 for the upcoming school year.  Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan – considered by many to be one of the best in the Big Apple – has seen black admissions drop in recent years, as only ten black students were admitted in 2024 and eight in 2025.  It's a trend that disturbs many on the left, as 62 percent of New York City's public school students are either black or Hispanic but they only make up ten percent of students in the incoming class at the city's eight best public schools.  Brooklyn Technical High School, black enrollment has gone from 50 percent in the 1980s to just four percent in 2026.   Meanwhile, around 80 percent of those places have gone to either white or Asian students, The New York Times reported.  Some on the left, including socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have criticized the Specialized High School Admissions Test or SHSAT used by the city.  Only five percent of New York City's eligible students attend the schools, which are seen as a pathway to elite levels of higher education.  However, Mamdani - who attended one of those elite schools - has changed his tune on the exams in office after calling to abolish them on the campaign trail, he kept them in place this year. Many liberals are worried after it was revealed an elite New York City public high school only admitted three black students out of 777 for the upcoming school year Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan, considered by many to be the best of the best in the Big Apple, has seen black admissions drop in recent years, as only ten black students were admitted in 2024 and eight in 2025 '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,' Mamdani said Tuesday. Mamdani isn't the only former mayor with hatred for the tests, as predecessor Eric Adams claimed they led to New York having a 'Jim Crow school system.' However, some have argued that the worries are nonsensical for multiple reasons.  A social media user claimed: 'NYC's population is about 21% Black. Stuyvesant's students should reflect that. These screened schools really are a bastion of segregation and racial prejudice and harm our city's public education system tremendously.' They also cited data showing that about 50 percent of New York City's Catholic school students are either black or Latino, with Asians only making up 8.1 percent.  New York Post columnist Michael Benjamin added: '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. Here's an idea: Fix black, Hispanic middle schools.'  According to Sam Adewumi, who attended Brooklyn Tech, middle schools are not preparing young people for the exams.  'Middle schools don't have that as a priority anymore. Many middle schools are just trying to stay afloat to have students pass the state tests.'  Some on the left, including socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have criticized the Specialized High School Admissions Test or SHSAT used by the city However, some have argued that the worries are nonsensical for multiple reasons, including scholarships at private schools available to black and Latino students Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels told Gothamist that the city was working on a solution. '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.'  One social media user noted that black and Hispanic students tend to opt for 'elite NYC private schools' over places like Stuyvesant because they're afforded scholarships for free tuition that Asian and white students aren't. A lobbying group that supports gifted and talented programs in city schools are demanding they remain.   'These schools are rigorous and demanding, and students who go to these schools should be well-prepared to take that on. Why are we minimizing the effort that is put in for something that is important to them?' asked Yiatin Chu, the group's co-founder.   Regardless, any alterations to the testing process would go over Mamdani's head and need approval from the New York State Legislature.  The Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani for comment.