Saline High School was named the 222nd best high school in America in an article released by Newsweek on Monday.

It was the highest ranking yet for Saline on the annual list, which is developed using a methodology comprising six components: graduation rate (25 percent), college matriculation rate (25 percent), advanced-placement tests taken per graduate (25 percent), average SAT/ACT scores (10 percent), average advanced placement/International Baccalaureate/AICE scores (10 percent) and advanced placement courses offered (5 percent).

Saline ranked fourth-highest among the 16 Michigan high schools on the list, behind Bloomfield Hills International Academy (20th), Bloomfield Hills Andover (101st) and East Grand Rapids (162nd).

Saline Principal Ben Williams said it was an achievement of which the community can be proud.

"Like we said during the academic awards night, this is not a one-person show," said Williams. "The student, the parent, the teacher, the counselor, the coach, the administrator—there are a lot of people who provide support. It's a team effort.

"But at the end of the day," he said, "it's still the young men and young ladies in there, challenging themselves with advanced placement courses and passing the tests."

The Saline Area Schools district graduates 96 percent of its students on time and enrolled 97 percent of its seniors in colleges after graduation. Those are numbers of which the district is proud, Williams said. He said a big reason for Saline's jump in the rankings was the number of Saline students taking advanced placement courses.

Unlike some schools, Saline High School does not require its students to take tests before they sign up for advanced placement courses.

"Some (schools) limit their students' opportunities with tests or other prerequisites," Williams said. "We don't believe in that. We believe that if a student believes they are ready to challenge himself or herself with an advanced placement or college course material, then by all means, go for it."

Students are meeting that challenge. Saline High School is one of less than 400 school districts in the country that is increasing the number of students studying advanced placement courses while simultaneously increasing student performance.

Williams credited the middle school for helping students get ahead of the curve at an early age.

"Students are jumping into honors classes earlier and earlier," he said. "We're opening math sequences at a younger level. Most math students have taken algebra and geometry by the time they are in ninth grade, so they are taking AP stats and calculus earlier. That frees them up to take other AP classes in sciences and social sciences."

Williams said the number of students taking AP courses has jumped from 400 to 800 in just a few years.

"What we've been doing is trying to increase opportunities for students," he said.

Here are some facts about the 2011 graduating class:

•  The advanced placement tests pass rate is ranked highest in the state of Michigan.

• There are nine National Merit semifinalists and eight national merit finalists.

• There are four commended scholars.

• There are 98 students graduating with highest honors (an unweighted grade-point average of 3.667 or better).

• 70 percent will attend four-year universities or colleges.

• 23 percent will attend two-year programs.

For information about where Saline graduates will attend school next year, read this blog by Superintendent Scot Graden.