I really don’t want any more trouble. but API does matter, because it is an indirect way to figure out the general scholastic attitude in that particular school. unfortunately kids are led more by their peers than anything else. so if their friends all aspire to go to college, especially UCs, they will be more likely to as well.

the best high school in Sweetwater district is bonita vista. it was rated “9”, it send 106 students out of 400 graduating students into the UC system in 2008. meanwhile, Chula vista high is rated “5”, and it send 47 out of 450 graduating students. for reference, most high schools along a certain fwy corridor that shall remain nameless average 30% of graduating seniors to UC rate.

so does API scores matter? yes. while it does not tell the whole story, it does provide a lot of insight into the matter.