Of course schools in the Northeast do better. Just look at the conditions which are more conducive to learning.  The school year starts in September when summer temps are cooling off.  They also have hours that cater more to a natural body clock.  Teenagers are more prone to staying up late and sleeping in later rather than getting up at 0500.  They also have a long summer break where it's possible to get summer jobs and apply the basics of what has been learned in school to real life. Finally, the peer pressure seems to be more based on what school the kids are going to go to rather than settle for UH and work for the state (if they don't get preg.)