1000 Top U.S. Schools
Public schools are ranked according to a ratio devised by Jay Mathews: the number of Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate tests taken by all students at a school in 2004 divided by the number of graduating seniors.
| Rank | School | Location | State | Index | Subsidized Lunches |
| 1 | Jefferson County* | Irondale | Ala. | 10.755 | 2 |
| 2 | International Academy* | Bloomfield Hills | Mich. | 8.422 | 0 |
| 3 | Stanton College Prep* | Jacksonville | Fla. | 7.385 | 7.8 |
| 4 | Eastside* | Gainesville | Fla. | 6.682 | 39 |
| 5 | H-B Woodlawn | Arlington | Va. | 5.747 | 14 |
| 6 | Science/Engineering Magnet | Dallas | Tx | 5.545 | 37.8 |
| 7 | Paxon* | Jacksonville | Fla. | 5.373 | 13 |
| 8 | Pensacola* | Pensacola | Fla. | 5.362 | 63 |
| 9 | Raleigh Charter | Raleigh | N.C. | 5.089 | 0 |
| 10 | Hillsborough* | Tampa | Fla. | 5.085 | 50 |