NICHE Rankings also deem Malden High in top 20% of Best College Prep Public High Schools in Mass. at #54; also #57 Most Diverse in the U.S. of 22.7K
By Steve Freker
Maybe a bunch of students should stand out in front of Malden High School on “Back to School” day next week and wave those gigantic foam fingers around: “We’re Number 1!” they could chant. Through the years Malden has been first in a lot of events and accomplishments. Once again for 2026, it has been announced that Malden High School has taken the top spot in a unique category.
Malden High is one of the top public high schools in Massachusetts for a lot of reasons and for well over a decade has been ranked the #1 Most Diverse Public High School in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. NICHE School Rankings — which uses a wide range of methodology and analysis — has once again bestowed that honor on Malden High School for this school year as well. The diversity is measured in the sheer numbers of ethnic cultures represented and languages spoken — at last count, over 70 — by MHS students or in students’ homes.
For 2026, not only is Malden High the #1 Most Diverse Public High School in Mass., out of 391 total high schools evaluated, Malden High is also the #57 Most Diverse Public High School IN THE NATION! That includes 22,747 public high schools from coast-to-coast.
Demographically, here is how Malden High School diversity is reflected, culturally: A total of 31.8% of its 6,500+ students are of Hispanic/Latino heritage; 22.1% are of Asian backgrounds; 21.3% are Black or African American; and 21.4% are Caucasian/ Non-Hispanic. Of the last category, a strong percentage of those students are of Arabic descent, adding even a stronger degree of diversity.
Of the majority Hispanic/Latino culture at Malden High School, many of those students claim Brazilian heritage, which is often considered an individual group not of the Hispanic/Latino designation. That is why the primary language spoken by students and their families in the Malden Public Schools overall is Portuguese, versions of which are the primary language spoken by Brazilians.
In addition to this honor, it was announced in NICHE Rankings that Malden High School has soared higher in other ranking areas as well, most notably in “Best College Prep Public High Schools.” NICHE this year ranks Malden High School #54 of 342 public high schools in Mass. for Best College Prep. That is in the top 14 percent and its highest ranking ever in the NICHE rankings.
As for nearby public schools, Somerville is #51 overall, Mystic Valley Regional Charter High School, also based in Malden, #55, Melrose High School is #56, Medford is #117, Revere High School is #130 and Everett High School is #160.
According to information available at niche.com, “The 2025 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education.
“Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, teacher quality, and high school ratings.”
College readiness includes graduation percentage and also participation in the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) curriculum and end-of-year testing. Malden High School students have long been vigorous participants in the AP classroom and testing program, this past year earning more placement grades (“3” or higher) than any other senior class in Malden High School history, more than 80 in all. The most recent graduating Class of 2026 featured more than 80 percent of seniors moving on to either four-year or two-year university or college studies, with the others pursuing a trade or joining the military service.
