U.S. News Excluded New York AP Data From 2026 Rankings
New York high school families should understand why college readiness scores shifted in this year's report.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Secondary Education
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In August 2026, U.S. News and World Report released high school rankings that omitted Advanced Placement (AP) data for schools across New York State. This change occurred because the New York State Education Department directed the College Board to withhold that information, citing student privacy concerns.
Why it matters
The exclusion of AP data significantly altered the college readiness portion of the rankings, which accounts for 30 percent of a school's total score. Because AP participation and performance are key metrics for many families assessing school quality, this data gap changes how local schools compare to one another.
While AP data was omitted, U.S. News included International Baccalaureate exam scores in its 2026 methodology. Several institutions saw shifts, with the Baccalaureate School for Global Education rising 85 spots and Commack High School improving by 420 spots.
The players
New York State Education Department
The state authority responsible for school oversight and privacy policies that directed the withholding of AP data.
U.S. News and World Report
A national media outlet that publishes annual high school rankings based on performance and college readiness metrics.
College Board
The organization that manages Advanced Placement testing and renews its request to share student score data with U.S. News every three years.
Success Academy
A charter school network that filed a lawsuit against the New York State education commissioner regarding data transparency.
The details
U.S. News determines rankings using a formula where college readiness represents 30 percent of the final score. By removing AP course and score data for New York schools, the publication relied on other metrics like International Baccalaureate results to calculate readiness. This methodological shift led to notable changes in state standings, such as The Brooklyn Latin School moving to the No. 1 spot and Success Academy's High School of the Liberal Arts falling to No. 63 among New York City schools.
Timeline
August 2026: School superintendents first identified the new U.S. News rankings.
September 2026: Superintendents submitted formal letters to the New York Education Department regarding the data exclusion.
The Home Front
This exclusion follows a broader trend of states, including Colorado, Maine, and Vermont, limiting the disclosure of AP scores to private ranking entities. The move forces a reassessment of how New York families use standardized data to measure the college readiness of their local public schools.
Families should look beyond this year's specific numerical ranking when evaluating a school's academic rigor, as the omission of AP data creates an incomplete picture of college preparation. Consider scheduling a meeting with a school counselor to discuss specific, verified program outcomes available at your local district.
The takeaway
The latest rankings reflect a significant data gap, so parents should rely on a broader range of school performance metrics when planning their child's academic future. Review your local school's most recent curriculum guide for a complete list of course offerings and college readiness programs.
Further reading
For more context on how school metrics influence local enrollment, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The New York Times.
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