2024 Best High Schools for Athletes in America

• Fort Lauderdale, FL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.18 out of 5  731 reviews

Freshman: St Thomas is a great school and from being in a public school all my life, its clear to see the academics and college prep are excellent. The teachers are also very qualified in their jobs. There are also so many opportunities at STA that you can fit in anywhere and find new experiences you never would’ve thought you’d have. The school also has a mandatory service hour requirement which is easy to fulfill, you just need to get involved on campus. Also if you are a bit concerned about the religious aspect like I was, it really isn’t that prevalent and they do not force it on you if you aren’t religious. The campus is really nice and open, and it isn’t too big either so you won’t get lost. The school spirit is absolutely amazing and the football games really feels like a college game with all the school spirit the students have and it’s super fun to go to the games! The pep rallies and events they hold are also really fun as well, and my impressions of this school as a freshman is great.... Read 731 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Miami, FL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.6 out of 5  769 reviews

Alum: Attending Christopher Columbus High School has been a transformative experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. From day one, I felt embraced by what can only be described as the GREATEST brotherhood ever. The camaraderie and sense of community were palpable, creating an atmosphere of support and motivation. Toughness forged us into young men without being overbearing. Teachers, coaches, and staff were skilled and committed, shaping academics and manhood. Their genuine guidance, focused on real-world applications, empowered me for the future. Christopher Columbus High School has been more than just an educational institution for me; it has been a home, a nurturing environment, and a place where I found lifelong friendships and mentors. It has shaped me into a confident, compassionate, and responsible individual, and I am grateful for the experience.... Read 769 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Warwick, RI•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.23 out of 5  125 reviews

Senior: In high school I had a strange experience. Freshman year I had a great time, I made friends that I will be best friends with for the rest of my life, I played soccer and ran track, I did good in school, and I felt like the environment at my school was very good. Once Covid happened I felt like I lost this happy feeling. School was not the same. Yes, I still had my friends, played soccer, and did good in school, but the environment was completely different and that was due to Covid. Things got better Junior year when I felt as the environment was coming back and I had played a major role in that given my grade. Senior year it is very good. The environment is back and I feel the same family feel I had freshman year. I enjoyed my experience here helping my school recover and grow after COVID and I am excited to see what it turns into in the future.... Read 125 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Danvers, MA•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.49 out of 5  148 reviews

Senior: I have had an excellent experience at St. John’s Prep. Although I have experienced many challenges, the school has done an excellent job in preparing me for college. Additionally, I have felt that the school guides its students every step of the way, which instills a sense of confidence in all of us. The school culture is great. Although we are a sports powerhouse, the school does a good job at promoting other aspects of student involvement, such as drama productions. While the racial/ethnic diversity isn’t great, SJP is richly diverse in terms of interests and personalities, which ensures that there is a place for everyone to fit in.... Read 148 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Phoenix, AZ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.24 out of 5  442 reviews

Alum: I absolutely loved XCP! While I know an all girls Catholic school environment may not be for everyone, I fully believe that Xavier has equipped me with the social, spiritual, and academic skills for college. XCP has a wonderful staff of teachers who clearly care for their students and love their jobs. Xavier creates an environment that values and supports the Catholic faith and culture, but still creates a learning space that is welcoming to young women of all faith backgrounds. A Xavier education is truly something unparalleled in the state of Arizona. Girls are at the forefront of every conversation in and out of the classroom. These young women are the presidents of clubs, team captains, and leaders in the classroom. Xavier girls go above and beyond to lift each other up and make sure that everyone is represented within the classroom. An all girls environment takes away the stress of school, and turns it into a fun place where you can truly be yourself.... Read 442 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Boston, MA•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.43 out of 5  204 reviews

Alum: Going to BC High was easily one of the best decisions I/my parents have ever made. It is truly a school that goes above and beyond, with an unbreakable sense of community and brotherhood. Between the incredible teachers that truly care and the excellent guidance department, the opportunities are endless if you take advantage of them. BC High has made me a more well-rounded student and person, and I do not know where I would be today without this school. The friendships you make at this school will be some of the best and most long-lasting ones you will ever make, even through college and beyond. The location and commute on the T and interaction/proximity to the city makes every student a responsible, independent, and, well-adjusted member of society way before they are expected to be. I would love to see more investment in the arts, and diversity could be better, but other than that, there is not much more that I can think of that I would change.... Read 204 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  100 reviews

Junior: My experience at Gonzaga has been great. I will be a rising Junior in the fall and both my Freshman and Sophomore year have been great. I have made several friends inside and outside the classroom, whether that is through clubs or sports. The academics are rigorous and help you prioritize your time. The athletics are amazing and competitive, which supports athletes to do better on the field, while remaining to be a student-athlete, not an athlete-student. The best part about my experience is like I said, meeting and making new friends through various activities across the school. The worst part about my experience is nothing really, the only thing I wish I did was get involved into clubs a lot earlier since I did not participate in clubs until my Sophomore year. What I would like to see change is the constant construction. We live on a great campus less than 10 blocks away from the Capitol, so there is a lot of construction going on which can be annoying sometimes.... Read 100 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 18

• San Diego, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  277 reviews

Parent: This is one of those amazing Catholic schools that stands out far above the rest. The community is incredibly supportive, faith-filled, welcoming and comfortable for all. Catholic/Christian values are not compromised and are consistently weaved in among all that happens through out the day. The administration successfully handles all the challenges facing our teenagers today. The faculty is full of alumni, parents of alumni, and teachers who are vested in the success and happiness of their students. The academics are rigorous but there are a variety of paths to choose from. The sports programs are excellent but you don't have to play a sport here to feel a part of the enormous school spirit. Students and faculty are proud and thankful to be at Cathedral. This school is an uplifting place for your kids to be each day. My daughters are thriving here; socially and academically and athletically. We couldn't be happier about where they are spending the majority of their time each day.... Read 277 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 40

• Providence, RI•

• Private School•

• 6-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  281 reviews

Parent: Both of my sons attended and the academic experience was overall wonderful. As with most schools the pandemic impacted the quality of the education received. The response and the policies implemented were good but not exceptional. The individual educators made the difference that stands out as my boys have fond memories and discussions at the kitchen table of what they learned and how they apply it now in college. Athletics is very strong but there are certain aspects of selecting the kids which were not great. In certain sports your affiliation with certain travel programs dictated whether you were being evaluated equitably. Both of my boys played varsity sports and their overall experience was good. The campus is excellent and being within the city and being able to go off campus for lunch or after school contributed to an overall sense of being part of the community. At the end of the day it comes down to how much each student puts in for them to get back. Great value!... Read 281 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Bellflower, CA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  170 reviews

Senior: I came from a public school and transferred into St. John Bosco during the sophomore year. The school atmosphere was a breathe of fresh air. Teachers and staff have a true sense of care for the students that I didn't find at my previous school. I wasn't a very religious child, but St. John Bosco didn't treat me worse because of this fact. This is a institution for not only religious children, but children who want to better themselves outside of the classroom. Amazing sports teams and clubs. This school is so innovative with the Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Computer Science, Bio-Medical programs. Many thanks to the teachers and academic counselors for all of their efforts in helping me achieve my goal of attending my dream school! I know that I am prepared for the rigor of college.... Read 170 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Bedford School District, NH•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.05 out of 5  507 reviews

Alum: Obviously a high school experience is dependent on a variety of factors, but I truly believe that Bedford High School cares about its students. The teachers are kind and accessible; there are numerous opportunities for extracurricular involvement; and the school itself is enrolled in a variety of large competitions/etc. for students -- if a student works hard enough, they'll easily find that BHS has a lot to offer, especially as a public school. The only issue is with administration, which primarily operates under the reactionary shadow of aggressive parents, making it hard to see long-lasting change of any sort, and also preventing students from really getting involved in their curriculum-based/formal education.... Read 507 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 36

• Lakewood, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.58 out of 5  199 reviews

Alum: Great overall environment with impart ales community involvement A place where students grow intellectually while learning the importance of us citizenship. History and role in the world Extraordinary school spirit which Carrie’s forward throughout life Great alumnae reunions Unbelievable sports program across so many major spots such as hockey, wrestling, football and basketball Most h s state championships in sports in the state of Ohio despite not starting until 1952 Great emphasis on religion as way of teaching right and wrong and being a good contributing member of society Outstanding sconce program and quiet possibly the ver best language program in Latin in the entire country... Read 199 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Louisville, KY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.65 out of 5  119 reviews

Junior: St. X is a pretty good place. It has an amazing environment. I truly feel that I have a brotherhood there even if I am the only black student in my classes. The best experience I have had is feeling always challenged and learning the many new things. I truly believe they prepare us for college. My worst experience is freshman year. I was one of the few kids that came to St. X from my middle school, so I felt pretty lonely. It was also hard to make new friends because of Covid-19. This quickly changed once sophomore year started and Covid-19 restrictions stopped. I was able to make tons of new friends and finally join my school.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19

• Raleigh, NC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  242 reviews

Senior: Cardinal Gibbons is a school that, while having strong academics and support for sporting events, sometimes has a lack of creativity or support for the arts. Everything about the school looks the same, and there is little creative freedom that can be taken with things like clubs. Because of it being a Catholic school, I often felt unsafe expressing myself as an LGBTQ minority, as there is very little to no support for that at all. Despite all that, I have been able to meet some great people through doing the theater program and it is an experience that I will carry through the rest of my life. I felt the school helped set me up well for college, and provided support for the application process. While my time at Cardinal Gibbons has been nice, I can't wait to see what awaits me in university.... Read 242 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Overland Park, KS•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  183 reviews

Senior: Aquinas has been my home for the past four years and I would not trade those years for anything. This school has given me a family that I will be a part of for the rest of my life. It has stellar academics and a very faith-filled community. There are many clubs, groups, and teams to be a part of. Everyone at this school is somehow involved in extracurricular activities. School spirit at STA is always in the air. From the pep assemblies to the football games, every student cheers on the saints. The teachers are some of the kindest, most supportive people I have ever met. I have not encountered a single teacher that I did not like or did not enjoy in their class. Attending Aquinas is a surefire way to have the best high school experience possible. The Saint Thomas Aquinas community cannot be beaten. It's a family. We support each other and love each other. Amor Vincit Omnia!... Read 183 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Cincinnati, OH•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  196 reviews

Senior: I think that this school really is something special. The moment I stepped through the doors of the St. Xavier High School campus, I felt at home and I felt a part of something bigger than anything I had ever experienced before. I believe that the best part, academically, of St. X is the course rigor and management. I truly believe that after attending St. X for three years, I can definitely that my time management skills have gone through the roof. When balancing sports, class loads, and social life, it used to be tricky to get everything done, but after listening to others and planning most things out, I've found myself thriving with managing all the things I love to do, as well as school work.... Read 196 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Ramsey, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.69 out of 5  131 reviews

Alum: My four years at DBP were the four best of my life! Everything I have been able to achieve academically and in business is due to the experience I had at Don Bosco Prep. Not only is it quite challenging academically, the tradition and the student life are excellent. The campus looks more like a beautiful small college than it does a high school. After you graduate, you find college and graduate school much easier since you have been taught how to study and budget your time. You form friendships which last a lifetime. My biggest regret is I was not able to send my son here to study and graduate due to geographics. Ironman for life!... Read 131 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 20

• Morristown, NJ•

• Private School•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 4.59 out of 5  127 reviews

Parent: Our son is a Freshman at Delbarton and we could not be happier. He loves his classes, although very challenging. His teachers are easy to approach (and they expect you to come to talk to them), and the brotherhood is real. COVID has changed everyone's plans but Delbarton has managed to keep the boys in school so far, the admin has been very proactive and approachable. We could have chosen many fine private schools in NJ, we are so happy we chose Delbarton!... Read 127 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Lincoln-Way Community High School District No. 210, IL•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.11 out of 5  551 reviews

Alum: At East, there was an activity for everyone! No one would ever feel left out. It was easy to bond with your classmates and form lifelong connections. Most of my teachers were extremely helpful and truly wanted to see us succeed, while other teachers tended to neglect their students’ needs. Some particular academic departments—the ones with a more rigorous curriculum—need teachers who are more invested into helping their students through the curriculum instead of ones that just throw work at them, so I would encourage East to be more selective in choosing their new staff in the future.... Read 551 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 32

• Wichita, KS•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.15 out of 5  304 reviews

Senior: Bishop Carroll holds so many memories for me. There were a few teachers there that I could genuinely go to if I needed help. However, some teachers treated us like we were robots. The teachers did not seem to care how much they were stressing us out, whether it was giving us tough tests or unruly amounts of homework. They gave the excuse, "Well it's a private school what did you expect". Being in a private school shouldn't mean I have to stay up till 2 a.m. doing homework because I had work till 9. Having said all that, the atmosphere at Carroll is amazing. Everyone gets along for the most part and I have made some really great friendships there. The support from students and staff when it comes to sports is amazing as well. The hype is really there. I will miss Carroll and cannot believe that my 4 years are almost up. Go Eagles!... Read 304 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Town & Country, MO•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.56 out of 5  116 reviews

Alum: My experience at Christian Brothers College High School was unforgettable experience. I've met phenomenal people that I am still in touch with today. The community is very supportive, and I am happy to be a cadet!... Read 116 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Saline Area Schools, MI•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.06 out of 5  344 reviews

Senior: Saline High School is a school that cares about the success of its students and provides many opportunities for peer-to-peer and peer-to-teacher aid. The school has extremely nice facilities for academics, sports, and theatre, and allows for students to grow in areas outside of academics. Saline High School has been faced with multiple racist allegations, however, I feel the school has done its best to work with the Black Student Union in order to get their voices heard in the fight for equality. In the future, I would like to see more funds put forward into other sports, not just football, because Saline has many talented athletes outside of just football.... Read 344 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 35

• Louisville, KY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.73 out of 5  103 reviews

Parent: Trinity has been a great school for our son and continually exceeds our expectations! The level of communication provided is exceptional at keeping both students and parents in the loop! The administration, teachers, and staff are approachable, knowledgeable, and helpful. They make you feel like the student and family really do matter! The curriculum is challenging and kids are held accountable. The opportunities Trinity provides in relation to faith, academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities are vast and diverse. They make it possible for a student to find their niche!... Read 103 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 21

• Baton Rouge, LA•

• Private School•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 4.41 out of 5  106 reviews

Senior: Catholic High is a great school, in my experience I played lacrosse and participated in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes club. As a lacrosse player we have gone to state twice and we won state last year. I have had many great experiences at Catholic High School but nothing compares to the attention you get as a student from the teachers and faculty. As a student, the teachers are always eager to help and are supportive of the hardships in your personal and academic journey.... Read 106 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Wilmette, IL•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  312 reviews

Senior: As a Senior I’ve had a lot of fun. I think it’s an overall great school and I would definitely choose to come here if I had to again. The food is pricey and not great so I’d recommend bringing your own lunch. There is no open campus which is pretty annoying. The dress code has become a bit less strict which is nicer. There are plans for big architectural projects and expansions which is great. The school will definitely be around for the future and improve. There are a few bad teachers but you get bad apples everywhere. Most of them are kind and caring. As a senior, the college counselors have been amazing and very helpful. I haven’t utilized many resources but we are definitely made aware that they are there for us. Administration is pretty good, in past years they were tyrannical but they’ve mellowed down. It’s a great school with great sports and you’ll love the environment. Social scene is typical of every high school meaning that it can be great or bad! Just how highschool is!... Read 312 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 34