2024 Best High Schools for Athletes in the New York City Area

• 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  126 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 126 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Trumbull, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.36 out of 5  255 reviews

Alum: St. Joes is a wonderful school filled with people who care. Teachers are willing to work with their students during and outside of scheduled hours, the guidance counselors help students towards their futures, and the staff work tirelessly to make the campus look absolutely beautiful. As an alumni, I was more than prepared for college after graduation. Currently, I am working on my Ph.D. and I credit SJ for teaching me the skills that allowed me to come this far! I always look forward to "Coming Home to Joe"!... Read 255 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30

• Oradell, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.44 out of 5  246 reviews

Alum: Bergen Catholic provided me with an excellent education which enabled me to get admitted to six of the best engineering schools in the country. That is reason enough to be thankful for having gone there. But it is also a lifetime experience. Bergen Catholic graduates have leadership roles in many diverse areas and there is always a special bond when you meet another BC alum. And like a family, Bergen Catholic provides many opportunities for alumni to come back to the school not only to meet old friends but also to give back. There are opportunities for mentoring current students as well as young graduates seeking advice on their careers. Finally, BC has excellent athletic programs both for students and for alums who use them as get togethers with fellow alums. I am part of a network that exchanges news of Bergen Catholic sports teams with fellow alums across the country. And those of us who no longer live in Bergen County can now stream the football games! We stay connected.... Read 246 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19

• West Orange, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.33 out of 5  178 reviews

Alum: The school provides a strong education for all of its students. Not only is the education excellent, but the student body is closely connected with each other. There is something their for everyone!... Read 178 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 16

• Jersey City, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.26 out of 5  222 reviews

Works Here: I love working for Saint Peter's Prep! As an educator with over 15 years experience in both public and private schools, Prep has an unmatched energy, brotherhood, and overall educational experience for its young men. Students are exposed to an unparalleled Jesuit education plus stellar extracurriculars, sports, abroad programs, volunteer opportunities, and so much more. My colleagues are highly educated experts in their fields and also embody the "cura personalis" that is the lifeblood of an Ignatian education. Students are nurtured socially, emotionally, and also well prepared for college, careers and a life beyond Prep. I am grateful to be a part of Prep and its rich history of success.... Read 222 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19

• Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  199 reviews

Sophomore: Ramapo High School has a wide variety of electives to choose from. The Teachers are great and are always willing to help a student who is struggling. Ramapo has a strong focus on STEM and athletics. The drop off line can get very long in the morning so if you aren't at school by 7:15, you will probably be late for first period. Otherwise, my experience so far at Ramapo HS has been great.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30

• Darien School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  199 reviews

Senior: The teachers at Darien High School are what truly made my experience a great one. Most of them are passionate and knowledgeable about their subjects, and they are available and willing to help the students however possible. DHS also offers a variety of different academic and extracurricular opportunities, including many AP classes, and activities ranging from a literary magazine and newspaper, and honor societies, to varsity sports. However, Darien High School also has an almost oppressively competitive atmosphere, so much so that it somewhat reduces the joy of learning in such a great school.... Read 199 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• Red Bank, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.28 out of 5  167 reviews

Parent: RBC has been such a wonderful experience for my son. He just completed his freshman year. The teachers have been wonderful. What I was most impressed with is the way the older students welcomed the freshman’class, really watched their backs and showed them the ropes. It’s always scary starting in a new school but my son loved it from the start, it is such a wonderful community!... Read 167 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Westfield Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  273 reviews

Parent: Westfield High School offered an excellent academic experience, fostering strong friendships that have endured beyond graduation. However, the limited diversity and the somewhat sheltered environment could potentially pose challenges for some students as they transition to college and adulthood. I believe that while the school laid a solid foundation, there might be room for improvement in exposing students to a more comprehensive understanding of the world and its diverse perspectives.... Read 273 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Lincroft, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.3 out of 5  118 reviews

Parent: This was, by far, the best school for both my boys! One is already dominating in college with a perfect 4.0. The other is readybto do the same while playing baseball!... Read 118 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 18

• Wayne Township Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  257 reviews

Senior: I absolutely love attending Wayne Hills High School! It is a great environment for all students to learn and succeed. Through the activities and clubs provided by Wayne Hills High School, students have the opportunity to learn in and out of the classroom. There is nothing I would change about the school because it is perfect in every way. Wayne Hills is a safe place where students are encouraged to share their opinions with others. The teachers are devoted to their job and specific areas of study. Students can always rely on the their teachers for advice and any extra help needed. There are plenty of clubs in every subject a student is interested in, which is great for the diverse students at Wayne Hills. Looking back at my four years at Wayne Hills High School, I can proudly say that it is a cherished time I will remember forever.... Read 257 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 36

• Township Of Washington, NJ•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  180 reviews

Senior: I love going to IHA! It is very challenging and the schedule can be very demanding, however, the teachers and students are so helpful and there are so many opportunities to get involved. Their attention to sport, academics, service, and religion is truly amazing and I love the community of women that has been formed throughout my 4 years at IHA... Read 180 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 16

• Massapequa Union Free School District, NY•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  371 reviews

Senior: I have loved the large diversity this school has provided me such as extra helps, different curriculums, wide variety of clubs, and exposure to different kinds of classes as well as people. I am so honored to have had the privilege to attend this high school as well as the opportunities they have provided for me!... Read 371 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30

• New Canaan Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.13 out of 5  194 reviews

Parent: I'm a parent of two current NCHS students. The academics are as rigorous as a private school, and the extracurriculars - in particular sports and theatre - are top notch. Teachers are attentive, and the guidance counselors are responsive. The reputation the school has for academics is a useful one with colleges. My one watch out is the lack of diversity which is really more of a town issue. Coming from NYC this is definitely missed, especially with regard to underrepresented groups.... Read 194 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Allendale, NJ•

• Public School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  255 reviews

Alum: I loved my time at Northern Highlands and if I could go back I would! Some of the teachers there inspired me to further myself and to take the direction I am taking now! If I could change two things within Northern Highlands that could have greatly benefited me in College/University would be removing the pointless Technology class taken Freshman year that you will 100% forget everything you learned in class the moment you leave for summer and replacing it with a Life Skills class (how to pump gas (NJ kids), how to pay taxes, how to write a check, how to change a tire, how to jumpstart a car, self-defense, CPR, ways to help with mental health (techniques), etc.). The second thing I would change would be your senior year (I mean mine was the transition from COVID-19) but I do think that if students were given a more college-like experience to get students ready for how college school schedules are like.... Read 255 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Ridgewood Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  245 reviews

Senior: I loved the school so much. I have had such a good experience there and wish it wasn't coming to an end so soon. Honestly the most stark comparison I have seen made by many transfer students to Ridgewood is the rigor and college readiness. Everyone is grinding in their classes, having fun in out of school activities and playing sports. The town is also know for its inclusion that goes along with the schools motto "tradition of excellence". I love my school!... Read 245 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Westport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.19 out of 5  237 reviews

Senior: The school overall is very high quality and many of the teachers are amazing and genuinely care about students. However, the student culture is very competitive with a heavy focus on enrollment at an elite college as the highest level of achievement. There is definitely a "Westport bubble" in what students here understand about their lives and their academics in the context of the rest of the nation, but the people here aren't necessarily bad. However, overall, Staples gives access to amazing resources (they invest a ton into extracurriculars such as the theater program, the music program, and the journalism program) and it's definitely a great place to go to school. There are also lots of school traditions, mostly surrounding Homecoming, and people have a healthy school spirit. I am very grateful for my time here. I would pick to go to Staples again if I was a freshman.... Read 237 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 37

• Middletown Township Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  290 reviews

Senior: Amazing clubs, teachers, courses, and environment! South has a wide spread of opportunities for students. Teachers are kind, the security guards spread a lot of positivity, and the building stays relatively clean. Sports and clubs give students the ability to participate in their talents and passions with peers and make new friends. The courses help to place you in classes that fit your strengths. The counselors are very helpful and super nice. Considering the weird time we are in while at South the faculty did there best to make the best out of the situation, regarding COVID. I wish there was more events for the school and hands on improvement that the students could take part in… but under the circumstances we (the students) still got a great experience of our high school years. The teachers are very motivating and many of my classes have taught me a lot and the learning routines worked well for me. Overall, South was a bright environment and had many beneficial qualities!... Read 290 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Summit Public School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.07 out of 5  166 reviews

Alum: Academic opportunities are abundant at Summit High School. Students have access to a wide range of AP and honors classes which some nearby school districts do not offer. Additionally, Summit has a plentiful scope of well-funded extracurricular opportunities. I was on the Speech and Debate team for four years, and it was one of the best decisions during high school; the team provides several chances to compete at prestigious institutions and improve one's public speaking skills. The theater and sports teams are also well-supported and highly regarded on the state level. One of the largest problems I had with the school was the attitude of some of my teachers (I recognize this is not unique to SHS). Many of my teachers left profoundly positive impacts on me, but a few of my educators either ridiculed me or provided classes with unfulfilling "busy work" instead of comprehensive assignments.... Read 166 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Total number of sports 27

• Jackson Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4 out of 5  279 reviews

Sophomore: Jackson Memorial is a great school to go to, while they may not be first in the state they have a great academics program. Not to mention the schools variety of clubs, activities, and sports. The teacher are really nice and really care for their students. They have academies which basically chooses all of your courses for your years here. There's the STEM academy, Business Academy, Arts academy which is Art, Music (Instrumental and Vocal), and there used to be Drama, however due to low enrollment they've stopped that section but you can still take the classes. The band is a nationally recognized ensemble, they've been in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade numerous times, as well as the Miss America Parade when it was in Atlantic City, and have even performed in Pasadena at the Rose Bowl Parade. There's a great community in Jackson and so much to do!... Read 279 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Total number of sports 31

• Bernards Township School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  257 reviews

Senior: ACADEMICS: People in the reviews are complaining too much about how hard the academics are... there's nothing wrong with our academics. Y'all just need to apply yourself! And we have plenty of options for every level of difficulty, from regular to Honors to AP. FACULTY/ADMINISTRATION: Generally excellent teachers who help you get through. Few bad apples here/there but that's inevitable. School board makes some bad decisions now and then though. CLUBS/ACTIVITIES: Lots of options. Whether you're an artsy kid, a sporty kid, a band kid, or a STEM kid, there's something for you, and you'll enjoy it. I've heard school spirit's apparently lacking compared to other schools, but how would I know? DIVERSITY: We have people of all races, heritages, and LGBT categories here. We're pretty tolerant I guess. SAFETY: We're in, like, one of the safest towns in America. Besides, we have a pretty strict visitor policy, and even implemented an ID system starting this year. FOOD: Average I guess.... Read 257 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Total number of sports 32

• Rye City School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.08 out of 5  90 reviews

Sophomore: The academics and college readiness are fairly strong overall, but the people in charge of administration are uniquely terrible at their jobs. Though there are many issues in the way the school is run, the most important one to me is clubs and activities. Rye is not a poor town by any means, and our school are increadibly well funded. That being said, clubs at Rye High School see little of this money. This year's budget allocates $40,000 just for a graduation ceremony, but does not even grant clubs $15,000 in total. In addition, students are not even able to fund their activities themselves. The administration is extremely strict when it comes to bake sales, and heavily discourages outside funding. When asked if students can pay for things themselves, the administration has also said that students should not have to for fear of students not being able to afford these things (despite providing no alternatives).... Read 90 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• Total number of sports 26

• River Dell Regional School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  183 reviews

Senior: I like how the school offers many different types of clubs, activities, and sports. There is always something for everyone's interests and needs. The teachers are hands on and are dedicated to seeing everyone succeed. The guidance department has been super helpful in preparing students for college and getting through the application process.... Read 183 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Total number of sports 27

• West Essex Regional School District, NJ•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  230 reviews

Senior: They have helped me academically to be prepared for college and my future. I enjoy my peers very much, but there are some improvements to be made at the school. They should try for a larger diversity and should spend less money on sports, and more on programs like arts or the newspaper.... Read 230 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Total number of sports 27