Data Scale: FindingSchool leverages an extensive data set that exceeds that of similar rankings, ensuring accurate and relevant evaluations through well-defined weight distributions and scoring mechanisms.
Weight Distribution: We gathered feedback from thousands of families and consulted over 50 industry experts to create ranking weights tailored to the needs of Asian students.
Scoring Mechanism: Each of the 32 distinct data points is evaluated using unique mathematical models, scoring based on its position within the overall data distribution.
Basis for Ranking: Instead of absolute values, we focus on relative differences in data. There is no fixed score threshold for separating schools; instead, the “admission cutoff” is adjusted annually based on data trends, similar to college entrance exams.
The school page currently displays an evaluation card that includes an overall rating and ratings across six key categories, totaling 32 data points. The six categories are: Geographic Community, Academic Strength, Matriculation Level, Extracurricular Activities, FindingSchool Reviews and Asian student management. Visitors can easily view the overall score and ratings for each dimension (ranging from A+ to B-). For boarding schools, detailed total score rankings are also included.
The data used for evaluations and rankings comes from three primary sources: official school data, public data, and user-submitted data on FindingSchool.
The entire scoring system is based on mathematical models derived from statistical analysis of samples from hundreds of schools across various levels. Each data point receives a corresponding rating based on its percentile position within the overall predicted distribution.
In the boarding school evaluation:: A- to A+ accounts for 50% of the total score, and B- to B+ accounts for 50%.
In the day school evaluation: A- to A+ accounts for 36% of the total score, and B- to B+ accounts for 64%.
30% - Matriculation Dimensionb>: Ivy League admission rate; admission rates for Top 25 National Universities + Top 5 Liberal Arts Colleges + Top 3 Art Schools; Top 50 National Universities + Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges + Top 6 Art Schools; Top 100 National Universities + Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges + Top 10 Art Schools; along with a summary of historical matriculation data.
24% - Academic Dimension: Course offerings (AP, IB, Honors, and Advanced or equivalent courses); percentage of teachers with a master’s degree or higher; percentage of AP exam scores of 3, 4, or 5; average standardized test scores (SAT and ACT); FRC robotics competition results.
14% - Extracurricular Activities: Alumni donation rate; number of clubs and activities; ratings for competitive sports teams; ratings for arts programs.
12% - FindingSchool Reviews: FindingSchool website rating; review comments (both long and short) on FindingSchool; historical rating trends; with a focus on multilingual reviews (including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, etc.).
12% – Asian Student Management: Boarding ratio (boarding schools only); housing arrangements and management (day schools only); first-year Asian international student retention rate; presence of Asian language teachers or staff responsible for student management; annual visits to Asia; international student ratio.
8% - Geographic Community: State resource evaluation; density score of nearby top universities; convenience of local amenities; city crime rate; educational level of the local population.
