<p>^^ AP/IB scores are indeed a good standard, but according to USNWR, thier ratings are based upon the key principle that a great high school must serve all its students well, not just those who are college bound. USNWR uses a “college readiness index” based on the school’s AP or IB participation rate (the number of 12th-grade students who took at least one AP or IB test before or during their senior year, divided by the number of 12th graders) and how well the students did on those tests. See: [Methodology:</a> America’s Best High Schools - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2009/12/09/methodology-americas-best-high-schools]Methodology:”>http://education.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2009/12/09/methodology-americas-best-high-schools)</p>
<p>So…for college bound students, you need to find a measure that quantifies those students that matriculate to college. The WSJ article was the only report I was able to find; there may be more though. It is odd that the WSJ did not include Stanford and Yale in their top colleges. Not sure why, or why they used Pomona, as well.</p>