The proposed zone is roughly bordered by Commonwealth Avenue to 2nd Street and just south of Washington-Lee Elementary, so students living near Virginia High would not attend the new school.

The city currently operates four elementary schools, and the current proposal would leave Van Pelt on the city’s east end and Stonewall Jackson on the west, with the remaining students to attend the new school.

Perrigan admitted he was a bit surprised when they began delving into the details.

“I expected it to be higher than normal because at Washington-Lee and Highland View, we have higher percentages of African American students — minority students — at those schools. I didn’t realize drawing the line the way we had to would make it so significant,” Perrigan said.

In addition, 90 percent of the students living within the proposed [new school] attendance zone are eligible for free and reduced price lunches because their families live at or below the federal poverty level — although the division now qualifies under a federal program to offer free meals to all students.