<p>Silentium, I understand what you're saying about different high schools and "tracking". However, I'd go so far as to say that it's not just the elite prep schools that measure up with the top-track Chinese high schools, or German gymnasiums, etc. The US tracks by zip code. So a place like Westport, CT, may have a great high school--one that can match up to any of the private schools around w. admission to top unis and LACs (and does!)--drive 20 minutes over to Bridgeport and it's a whole 'nother story. There's massive achievement gap even between public high schools; the US has some great ones...and some abysmal ones.</p>