<p>I went to a middle school close to Bronx Science and more than 90% of the students were African-American/Hispanic. It was a relatively poor-performing school and they gave everyone who passed the previous year state tests an opportunity to get free classes (Kaplan!) over the summer in preparation for the Stuy/Bx. Science/Bklyn Tech exam. Out of 40 students (there were about 300 in the school), only about 7 took advantage of that opportunity, which goes to show you that the rest weren't extremely interested in the first place. Opportunity was there and is there still.
Now a Bronx Science senior, I get upset even imagining affirmative action replacing the existing system.</p>