New York, Dec. 7 -- NYC students at an elite high school in Midtown Manhattan walked out of class Monday as part of what they called a "strike for integration."

The walkout occurred at Beacon High School on W. 44th St., a highly selective liberal arts school with a long history of academic excellence, and where 45% of students are white, compared with about 15% in city schools overall.

Hundreds of students marched in front of the building and chanted "Hey, hey, ho, ho, segregation has go to go," and "End Jim Crow," as they carried signs that said "Student Voice is great but we prefer adult action."

The students blocked off a block of W. 44 St. during the half-hour walkout in freezing rain.

The protest was part of a student-led push fo...