Newsweek, playing catch-up to the influential if overrated college rankings in U.S. News & World Report, has a published the third edition of its list of the nation's 100 best public high schools, based only on rates of participation in AP and international baccalaureate classes. It's good to see a number of rural and low-income schools on the list - such as the Science Academy of South Texas (#8), which draws students from three poor counties along the Rio Grande. In a related article, Washington Post education reporter Jay Mathews, who compiled the list, defends his methodology and his contention that high rates of AP/IB participation are sound indicators of a school's academic rigor.
"The 100 best high schools in America," by Jay Mathews, Newsweek, June 2, 2003
"Oakland school named the best," by Delores Patterson, Detroit News, May 26, 2003
"Inside the challenge index," by Jay Mathews, Washington Post, May 27, 2003