This year, Newsweek's ranking highlights the best 1,000 public high schools in the nation—the ones that have proven to be the most effective in turning out college-ready grads. The list is based on six components provided by school administrators: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), AP/IB/AICE tests taken per student (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10 percent), and AP courses offered  per student(5 percent).

Melrose High School ranked 832 out of 1,000 best high schools in the United States in Newsweek Magazine. "The recent announcement from Newsweek magazine naming Melrose High School as one of the best 1,000 high schools in America, is a reflection of the commitment and dedication of the leadership, faculty and staff over the past year. As a team, we have come together with a common vision focusing on "What we teach" and "How we teach". This vision continues to be our core emphasis for the 2012-2013 school year along with other student focused initiatives," said Melrose High School Principal Dan Richards.