In areas with the greatest racial diversity and the most potential for diversity in schools, the racial composition of the neighborhood is not reflected in public schools.
White: White students are enrolled in public schools at a lower percentage than what is predicted by their catchment zone. When whites are clearly the majority, schools represent their catchment boundaries more so than in other areas. The difference is greatest in areas that are more racially balanced; so that whites are underrepresented in the areas you would expect equal proportions of white and nonwhite students.
African American: Percentages of African American students were higher in public schools that what catchment areas predict. Also, there are schools where African Americans comprise a small percentage of the catchment area but comprise the majority of the public high school.
Latinos: Latino students also represent lower percentages in the public high schools than their catchment areas predict. This is true at virtually every school in the sampling area.