Alternative boundary plan for 12th PWC high school sent to US Justice Department

New boundaries that define the areas to be served by Prince William County’s 12th high school “prioritize racial/ethnic diversity,” in response to concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Justice, according to a news release from the school division.

The “Alternative Boundary Plan for the 12th High School,” released by school planners Monday, October 20, achieves the new mix through key changes to the previously released Administrative Recommendation v 1.2:

Students in neighborhoods north of Prince William Parkway (State Route 294), and currently assigned to Benton Middle School, will stay assigned to Osbourn Park for high school, rather than being reassigned to the 12th High School.

Students from the neighborhoods of Ridgefield Village, Prince William Town Center, and Queensdale, who are currently assigned to attend Osbourn Park High School, are now proposed for reassignment to the 12th High School.

Students from the neighborhoods of Smalls Crossing, Victory Ridge, White Oak Estates, Websters Landing, and a section of Trentdale, who are currently assigned to Hylton High School, are now proposed for reassignment to the 12th High School.

The changes are reflected on the revised boundary map for the 12th High School.

​In response to the DOJ’s concerns about racial and ethnic composition, the new plan increases the percentage of minority students at the 12th High School from 36.6% under Administrative Recommendation v1.2 to 45.7%. At Osbourn Park High School, moving to the Alternative Boundary Plan will decrease the percentage of minority students from 58.7% to 53.6%.

The Educational Opportunities Section of the Civil Rights Division for the U.S. Department of Justice has informed Prince William County Public Schools that the United States will not object or pursue legal action regarding the assignment of students to the 12th High School, if the “Alternative Boundary Plan for the 12th High School’’ is adopted.

There will be a public information session on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Hylton High School Auditorium.

PWCS Facilities Planning staff will also alert communities particularly affected by changes from the original plan. Information on the revised proposal is being added to the School Board agenda for Nov. 5, with action on the proposal slated for the Nov. 18 meeting.

The 12th high school is scheduled to open in September 2016.