The Top of the Class
The complete list of the 1,300 top U.S. high schools
Public schools are ranked according to a ratio devised by Jay Mathews: the number of Advanced Placement, Intl. Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2007 divided by the number of graduating seniors. All of the schools on the list have an index of at least 1.000; they are in the top 5 percent of public schools measured this way. If you have 2007 data showing that your school should be on this list, please contact Mathews at challenge@washpost.com. Note: Subs. Lunch % is the percentage of students receiving federally subsidized meals. E and E % stands for equity and excellence percentage: the portion of all graduating seniors at a school that had at least one passing grade on one AP or IB test. For more information on methodology, see our FAQ; please leave your comments on the list in the comments box below.
**Includes IB. Nearly all other schools use just AP tests. AP, IB and Cambridge participation are indicators of a school's efforts to challenge students and prepare for college.
Reporting by: Gina Pace and Dan Brillman
© 2007