> one of the most unequal and competitive school districts
That's literally impossible. Competitiveness necessarily includes equal opportunity. If demographics constitute >0% of the rubric, then by necessity merit constitutes <100%
Biased competition can result in unequal opportunities. One common example is a vocabulary question using culturally significant terms to favor or disadvantage some specific group.
> Competitiveness necessarily includes equal opportunity
No, it doesn't. Professional (American) football is highly competitive despite the fact that opportunity to excel is distributed very unequally. Women, for example, are extremely unlikely to be competitive in pro football, as is anyone with any kind of physical disability, or anyone over (say) 50.
In academics, children of parents who value learning are much more likely to excel than children of parents who think there is no value in reading.
But the remaining pool of candidates can still represent formidable competition.
That's literally impossible. Competitiveness necessarily includes equal opportunity. If demographics constitute >0% of the rubric, then by necessity merit constitutes <100%