How are High Schools Ranked?

I've been hearing a lot about high school rankings and I'm kinda confused. Can somebody explain to me how high schools are ranked? Also, does it significantly influence college admissions? Would love to know your thoughts.

High schools are often ranked based on various factors, like student performance on state-mandated tests, graduation rates, and the percentage of students who are college-bound. Sometimes, factors such as the school's average SAT or ACT scores, AP or IB enrollment rates and scores, or student-teacher ratios can also contribute to the rankings. You might also see rankings that take into account more subjective elements like parent or student satisfaction.

However, it's essential to take these rankings with a grain of salt. The methodology used can vary considerably between different publishers, and what one source might rank highly, another might not. Also, due to these rankings' generalist nature, they may not reflect the needs and preferences of individual students. For example, a school with a superb music program might not rank highly if the ranking system heavily emphasizes AP test scores.

As for its influence on college admissions, while it's true that some colleges might consider the rigor of a student's high school in their admissions decisions, the actual ranking doesn't carry as much weight as you might think. Colleges are more interested in a student’s academic and extracurricular accomplishments within the context of their school. So, performing well academically, taking challenging courses available at your high school and demonstrating leadership or achievement outside of the classroom would hold more significance than the ranking of your high school.

The most crucial aspect, perhaps, is the environment in which you'll thrive and the opportunities you'll have to explore your interests in depth, rather than the raw ranking of your high school. Remember, it's the student who makes the school, not the other way around!