2023 Best High Schools for Athletes in the Washington, D.C. Area

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.54 out of 5  95 reviews

Sophomore: So far it has been a great experience. No matter what your interests are, or what sports you do there is a group for you. it is incredibly easy to make friends. Coming from public middle school I was not the best student. My first complaint is that some teachers are very difficult and fail lots of student, regardless of effort. I was not prepared for what highschool would be like. Very quickly into my Gonzaga experience I realized that I would need to apply myself more if I wanted to go to a good college. Gonzaga helped me with that and I improved as a student. The athletics are very competitive, and when I was cut from my sport, I just joined another. It has helped me have new experiences.My second, and final complaint is the strictness and severity of punishments. Student services can be very "over the top" and makes examples out of student. Overall my experience has been great and the bonds I have formed have changed my life.... Read 95 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 18

• Chevy Chase, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  258 reviews

Senior: I’ve loved my time at SJC! It took a little bit of time to get used to as a freshman because of how technologically dependent the school is. Most, if not all, work is done on the IPad which is great for so many reasons. The student life is amazing and staff want to see you succeed. However, some of the older teachers tend to get stuck in their ways of teaching and need to modernize their methods. Overall, SJC is a great environment for high schoolers, especially those athletically and academically driven.... Read 258 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 24

• Chantilly, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.01 out of 5  184 reviews

Junior: I really enjoy the overall energy of PVI. Everyone is friendly and respectful, and you just feel like you’re welcome everywhere. The classes had the perfect amount of rigor, and the teachers were always available for a chat. That’s is one thing in particular I appreciate. At my old school there was no such relationship with our teachers. Here, you can email your teachers as well as asking during or after class. This was the case for a large percent of my classes. I hope this helps anyone looking into PVI!... Read 184 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  555 reviews

Alum: Stone Bridge High School had amazing teachers as well as great extracurricular activities! It was very easy to make friends and everyone was very welcoming. One thing I would like to see change is the food there as it was subpar, even for school's standards.... Read 555 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  341 reviews

Senior: I had a wonderful time throughout my whole four years at Damascus High School. While attending Damascus High school I participated in the Damascus High School Girls Varsity Soccer team, Damascus High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team, and Damascus High School Varsity Track team. Damascus High School has always been very supportive and made sure they were looking out for their student's education and their quality of education. I have created and strengthened many great friendships that will continue with me as I pursue my future goals. I just recently went on a field trip with the Damascus High School band to New York City and spent two nights there. I had a wonderful time exploring the Rockefeller Center, walking around Times Square, watching the Broadway show Alladin, watching Jazz at Lincoln Center, and even exploring the 911 museum.... Read 341 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Prince George's County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  632 reviews

Senior: I might be a little bias , however I do believe that I attend the best school in Maryland. In fact, it's absolutely the best school in Prince George's County. Wise High School has a soaring graduation rate of about 90%. As a student I must admit every now and then there are those certain teachers who tend to be overly aggressive with the job (i.e. don't care about students, ineffective teaching styles, and little classwork but too much homework) although for the most part I'd recommend this school to anyone. The sports and academic programs are demanding but absolutely great! Our overall academics as a school could improve but of course that is something that must start at the top of the totem pole. There are your occasional fights probably 1 or 2 every other day. Consequences for illegitimate behavior however are executed speedily.... Read 632 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 21

• Alexandria, VA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  133 reviews

Parent: As the parent of two children in the lower school, I am extremely pleased with SSSAS. The Early Saints teachers make each day engaging for my 3-year-old. The monthly units the ES learn have prompted my son to apply what he’s learned to the world around him (the food unit they completed prompts a nightly discussion about which foods on his plate are muscle foods, brain foods, etc.). His teachers started a recent parent conference with 3 very specific adjectives to describe my son and given the examples they gave me, it is clear that really understand him as a whole child. My experiences with JK and K were also nothing short of fantastic; even during the pandemic the teachers were able to connect with my son. The K and 1st grade teachers have also provided my son a solid educational foundation; they have identified his strengths and given additional challenging work so that he hasn’t been bored. Any issues I’ve had have been quickly and appropriately addressed by his teachers.... Read 133 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 24

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  115 reviews

Sophomore: I have grown to love visi. There are so many supportive teachers and students. I’ve really developed as a person here academically and socially. I have been pushed to succeed by teachers who genuinely care about my success. I will say that most of the school’s issues stem from the student body. There are lots of cliques which appear to reflect socio-economic groups. Most high school students are hyper partisan left wing. That’s just the way of the world. I feel though, that the school has abandoned catholic teaching in the name of preventing conflict with the student body. I can’t fully criticize the school for this because I don’t think there are many solutions but it is a visible tension. The school could facilitate more respect for diversity of thought. Visi does great work to facilitate racial diversity.... Read 115 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 14

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  381 reviews

Alum: I really enjoyed Tuscarora, I believe the only thing that needs work is school spirit! School spirit makes kids work harder to be inclusive and get good grades. I believe if my school had more spirit I would have pursued more!... Read 381 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 21

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 7-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  581 reviews

Niche User: Lake Braddock holds a high reputation for itself. There is a diverse selection of classes, including academy classes that allow students more variety in their education. Their staff lacks the ability to effectively help students prepare for graduation; accepting late-work, receiving 50%s on absent assignments, and dismissing the lack of effort put into each class. Teachers struggle with the strict curriculum code because of how lenient the school was with grades. Students participated in fist fights frequently, and bullying was rampant among the middle and high schoolers. Overall, I think this school could improve with it's social culture, as well as returning to normal with grading expectations.... Read 581 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  447 reviews

Senior: All teachers and staff are amazing! Students are welcoming and get along well. Quince Orchard offers a wide variety of extracurriculars and invites students to create their own. All students can find their place and future aspirations at Quince Orchard High School.... Read 447 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.77 out of 5  456 reviews

Senior: My favorite aspect of the school is that the faculty at South County High School is also highly qualified and dedicated to helping students succeed. Teachers at the school have a wealth of experience in their respective subjects and work closely with students to ensure they are receiving the support they need. Additionally, the school provides counseling services to help students navigate their academic and personal lives. Overall, South County High School in Lorton, Virginia, is an excellent option for students seeking a well-rounded education in a supportive and inclusive environment. The school's strong academic programs, dedicated faculty, diverse community, and thriving athletics and arts programs make it an excellent choice for students seeking to prepare for their futures.... Read 456 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• District of Columbia Public Schools, DC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.79 out of 5  423 reviews

Alum: As an alumni of Woodrow wilson I can say this school molded me into a better person and created the best high school experience for me, that’s because of three main things. Teachers/administrators, academics and resources. Starting with teachers and administrators, they were my mentor and friend. Ms. Harstorn for example (my English teacher) alway pushed me past my limits in writing, she taught me how to think out the box, be a better writing, how to apply those skills to my college essay that got me into 15 colleges but she also was a friend, who I could sit in the class with during lunch and talk, was there when family life was hard.. Academic in Wilson was the best, I believe that what was Wilson was most known. I got to take biomedical science classes all four years which ended up helping me find my passion, nursing. Then resources, it allowed me to get in my school now with a scholarship due to all the help I was handed and guided with like college workshops, speakers, etc... Read 423 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 4.57 out of 5  49 reviews

Junior: St. Albans has taught me time management skills because we are required to play a sport every season and practices end around 6. It truly is a strenuous environment academically but the friends you make in your years here make it all worthwhile. Knowing you aren’t the only person struggling or going through rigorous tests and papers makes it all more bearable. Other traditions like the BEEF Club, family style lunches, and chapels in the little sanctuary bring everyone closer together and really make you feel at home. I came to the school in eighth grade but even so I can tell I’ve made lifelong friends here. You’re excited to go to school everyday because your brothers will be there with you.... Read 49 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 14

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  395 reviews

Sophomore: Last year, I started freshman year at James Madison High School, and the experience so far has been absolutely unbelievable! The school offers a variety of clubs to bring the student community together, and I have recently joined Key Club and Junior Civitan in order to give back to my community. Moreover, my experience with club members and others in the student body has been remarkable! The student community that Madison has built is diverse, success driven, and unified. The school also includes a pleather of sports teams, where students can focus on team building, health, and competitive drive. I am currently a member of the Tennis Team, and though my time on the team so far has been cut short due to the pandemic, I have created several new friends and improved my athletic ability. Lastly, I have not had a single bad experience in my learning, and all of my teachers have inspired me to strive for success and push myself in order to become an even better learner.... Read 395 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 24

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  396 reviews

Senior: The among the strongest aspect of Broad Run is the student culture. There are many pockets of different groups and its easy for people to find people that are like them. The atmosphere is not overly competitive, and the academics are top tier. The teachers are great although there are a select few that some people have trouble with. In my own experience, they genuinely care about your success (at least, in regards to the class itself) or are pretty funny. Additionally, the school has 50+ years of history that gives it a strong identity. The student body is arguably the most diverse of the Loudoun county high schools. My only complaints about the school are small. The building is old despite the renovations. I hear some complaints from the theater kids that the stage tech is not amazing as a result. Secondly, the support from the counselor staff regarding scholarship and internship opportunities is weak compared to say, the Academies of Loudoun. That may be an unfair comparison tho... Read 396 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Washington, DC•

• Private School•

• 4-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  77 reviews

Parent: Absolutely top notch school . Our junior (11th grade) joined in 6th grade and it has been very socially fulfilling and academically rigorous but with support systems in place as needed. Over the last five years in this community we have seen our daughter become more confident, more motivated and focused while showing great kindness and humility to those around her. She loves NCS and we have made good friends in the parent community. She is surrounded by confident, kind, and very supportive peers. I have countless examples I could cite of seniors helping juniors just in the last few weeks alone! The college counseling preparation is also excellent. It is very easy to write this review because we have had a very good experience.... Read 77 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 13

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  616 reviews

Senior: It has excellent teachers and faculty staff! The visual arts program, the music programs, and counsellors specifically are all fantastic. The teachers are knowledgeable, helpful, and very experienced, as well as easy to talk to. Quarantine was difficult for every school, and there were some bumps here and there, but it was always known that teachers and counsellors were frequently available if you needed any help. Obviously dealing with loud and messy teenagers can be difficult and frustrating (the hallways can get a bit crowded, and there are some particularly rowdy students), but not any more or less than any other high school. All in all, I really enjoyed going to Northwest, and even though I didn't get a full high school experience (thanks COVID), I'm still gonna miss it after graduating this year.... Read 616 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  591 reviews

Alum: A diverse school of opportunities, filled with a great spectrum of academics and extra curricular activities. I had the privilege of attending Westfield High School and had the chance to meet such a wonderful team of excellent teachers who not only helped me throughout my high school experience, but never gave up on my excellence and the potential I had within. There was such a wide range of electives to chose from, from Information Technology, theatrics, chorus, to one of my favorites - sculpting class! Getting the chance to choose any elective I wanted really gave me an eyes view at what I could possibly want as a career down the road, opening the door to an opportunity of a lifetime. Although, picking the right one isn't always the easiest; It was well worth the experience!... Read 591 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19

• Arlington, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.02 out of 5  225 reviews

Sophomore: O’Connell is a great school! There’s lots of nice people there which provides for an amazing learning environment. The traditions and close connection to Christ the school shares make your 4 years at O’Connell something to remember. The teachers and staff there are always happy to be there which is obvious when you learn about how hard they worked to get us back in school in the middle of a pandemic, of course following all the guide lines to help keep us all safe. I truly recommend O’Connell to anyone who wants a high school experience to remember... Read 225 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• District of Columbia Public Schools, DC•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.81 out of 5  134 reviews

Junior: I have been attending Dunbar High School since 9th grade, i am currently still attending and in the 11th grade now. I plan on graduating at Dunbar. In my opinion Dunbar is a very good school, the academics, the amazing teachers & administration, support, sports, majority of students, and academies is excellent. Yes there has been a some complaints towards our school, but what school doesn’t get any? From my experience the teachers/administrators will support you constantly without any complications, in anything. Also would make sure you are on task, striving for your goal, and making sure you stay on your best behavior. The teachers/administrators will treat you like your there own, and that’s really nice for them. I’m grateful for my teachers and administrators. If you’re thinking about coming to Dunbar, i honestly would recommend coming.... Read 134 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Prince George's County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  1,354 reviews

Senior: Enjoy my school year there. Great teachers, faculty helpful through my years attending. They gave a safe environment. They were supportive, you could go to them for guidance. The club were fun, engaging and helpful to my growth and development. Great way to meet and make friends. I enjoyed attending the game. Programs provided were educational, giving everyone an opportunity to participate, help raise money for various functions. The school offered exposure to what is possible for us. Parental support, is great! Majority of the students parents are involved in various fundraising, the encouraging words of staying involved being the importance to our success. The diversity in the school is refreshing! Our school acknowledges the variety culture not leaving any one feeling left out. Having diversity is well rounded in this school. It created open minds, understand our differences, but at the same time co existing with respect and friendships. I leave here as a proud senior!... Read 1,354 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Prince William County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  730 reviews

Junior: My name is Alina Glover and I am a junior at Battlefield High School.I have been attending the school since 2020, and the things I like about the school is the various electives it offers.The school allows its students to explore personal interests and even allows the students to switch electives if they please.Another thing I like about the school is its spirit.You can see students dressed up in school colors,boasting about how awesome the football team is, but the players aren’t the only people who show up.Student's flock to the stadium, cheering on their team and each other.Battlefield has some problems as well.One of them being diversity.Battlefield High School is mostly white. In a few of my classes,I'm the only black student, which can sometimes make me the subject of a few ignorant remarks. Another thing Battlefield struggles with is the food, the school could do better when it comed to the taste.Overall, Battlefield is a school with opportunities and a lot of school spirit!... Read 730 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Montgomery County Public Schools, MD•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  354 reviews

Senior: My experience at Sherwood High School has been, overall, very good. I have met some incredible people, I have had wonderful teachers, and I feel like I have learned a lot in all of my classes. Sherwood's educators have helped me maintain my 4.0 GPA and helped me score fives on AP exams. I think Sherwood's athletics program allows for a lot of great school spirit and camaraderie between students. Furthermore, I have had an incredible experience in the Academy of Health Professions program offered at Sherwood. I was able to acquire a CNA license before graduating high school! Many schools don't offer this program. I believe Sherwood has a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere that helps promote learning. If I were to say something negative, it is that Sherwood seems to have a predominantly white student population. I feel like my school experience could have been different if there was a greater amount of diversity in my environment.... Read 354 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Total number of sports 23

• Hyattsville, MD•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.31 out of 5  188 reviews

Parent: DeMatha is an amazing multicultural institution that stimulates boys academically and socially. It creates gentlemen and scholars, because the employees are great role models. During the 2021-22 academic year, I watched DeMatha students, faculty, and staff embrace and encourage my little introvert, to come out of his shell. Amazingly, the learning environment empassioned him to ask for academic support, when needed. Before DeMatha, he experienced little to no cultural diversity. Now, he is eager to meet with teachers and classmates before, during, and school. In addition, he is in position to build positive cultural bonds with that will last forever. Third, he found a second family as a member of the athletic program. Forth, he is enthusiastic about classes like Band, World of War, Photography, Sports Medicine, etc. Next, he loves the variety of food offered at lunch and I like the prices. Most importantly, I know he will receive an awesome education on a safe college-like campus.... Read 188 reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• Total number of sports —