2023 Best High Schools for Athletes in Connecticut

• Glastonbury Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.04 out of 5  478 reviews

Senior: There are so many opportunities to take advantage of at this school and a wide variety of courses to take. Many are college-level and are great for accommodating high-achieving students. The course requirements are a bit restrictive and can clog up your schedule, but you can't expect much less from a high school. I guess I was so spoiled with my ability to choose classes to prepare me for my future career that I felt like I was in college already! Almost all teachers here love their jobs and put effort into teaching their classes and always support their students. The music program is great, I'm in the string chamber orchestra and at least half of my class gets into either NEMFA or All-states. They're building a brand new STEAM lab for classes and for after-school activities, filled with resources for STEM students like me. This is a great school and it really helped me discover who I wanted to be.... Read 478 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 34

• Trumbull, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.38 out of 5  242 reviews

Parent: I am currently a freshmen parent at St. Joes and I have to say that I adore this school and everything that they stand for. Halfway through his freshmen year, I've watched my son grow so much. He knew no one when he arrived and has already made a core group of best friends. His teachers are supportive in class and his guidance counselor is AMAZING! Anyone looking for a private school in CT should definitely visit St. Joes - either at an Open House (that's how we found them) or by getting a tour. Everyone is so friendly and we can't wait to send our daughter there in two years. One other note - my son is a person of color (Latinx) and has not experienced any discrimination issues at all (something we were concerned about from his middle school experience). The overall diversity of the school could be a little better, but so far, there has been nothing but respect between all of the students.... Read 242 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30

• Darien School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  196 reviews

Junior: The teachers are extremely smart, engaging, and versatile in the ways they help students to learn challenging concepts. There is a great support staff for those struggling from various mental health problems, anxiety, etc., which is helpful for those whose academics are heavily affected by their mental health (which is to say, most of us!). DHS's wide variety of clubs, team sports, art and science programs, and electives make it an extremely diverse place where everyone can find something they enjoy. While the school is situated in a less diverse area, it is welcoming to students of all backgrounds and currently is part of an amazing outreach program that enables African-American girls from especially underprivileged parts of New York City to live and go to school in Darien. Its LGBTQ+ population is also particularly prominent and has key allies in the DHS faculty and staff that make it a safe environment for everyone.... Read 196 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• Madison Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  232 reviews

Senior: Daniel Hand is as competitive as it comes when talking about public schools. The fantastic faculty is both engaged and qualified, most making significant connections with the students that in turn, lead to greater academic success. Athletics are highly emphasized. The students themselves are at times cutthroat and dangerously competitive, as expectations towards the college application process looms over most. Diversity cannot be found at Daniel Hand, with most students coming from caucasian backgrounds. "Madison bubble" can be used to describe the atmosphere within the school, however, the majority of students are politically and socially aware.... Read 232 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 29

• Middletown, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  235 reviews

Freshman: Xavier High School is a great place for students and athletes that want to achieve more and be better prepared for the rigors of college and the workplace. Students are challenged with lots of homework, rigorous classwork, frequent quizzes, and challenging tests. You will get out of Xavier what you put into Xavier. Teachers are amazing. They are prepared to help students at whatever means. They stay after school for extra help, are answering emails late in the night, and are committed to students' success. There are numerous clubs, sports, and activities that Xavier offers. Students have the opportunity to join nationally ranked sports teams, learn about their faith through many clubs and retreats, and further their education through many fun clubs. The only complaint I have is the lack of diversity. While the school could try harder to fix this, I understand that there is only so much a private, catholic school in Connecticut can do with diversity. Xavier is a great brotherhood.... Read 235 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19

• New Canaan Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.14 out of 5  187 reviews

Sophomore: NCHS has great teachers, amazing resources, friendly students and good lunch options. I never feel unsafe at school and it’s a good working environment. It’s easy to go up to a teacher if you don’t understand an assignment. The one area I feel that NCHS really lacks is in its appreciation of diversity and world cultures. NCHS to begin with doesn’t have a very diverse student body, and since students aren’t given many cultural-based course options, many are never exposed to different cultures until college. Offering courses like Latin American History and Foreign Literature, as well as integrating aspects of world cultures into the academic curriculum, could give students a better understanding and appreciation of our world’s diversity.... Read 187 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• T•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.22 out of 5  119 reviews

Junior: Notre Dame High school is truly a special place. As someone who has gone to five different schools, Notre Dame is by far the best one. What sets Notre Dame apart isn't its great academics or competitive sports, but its culture. Notre Dame is the only high school in the world where the entire building is just one large community of brothers. Every student knows each other, as well as the teachers at a personal level. We are all seeking improvement, excellence, and to make a difference. Walking into the building feels like walking into home. Above all, Notre Dame aims to create Notre Dame men, which are men who are compassionate, serving, hard-working, and competent. Each faculty member in the building understands this goal and guides students to it. Notre Dame has something to offer everyone, from sports to academics to even clubs, there is plenty of room for personalization and growth. Overall, the best way to describe Notre Dame is a supporting and caring family.... Read 119 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 13

• Southington School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  308 reviews

Senior: I've had very few bad teachers. In fact, most go out of their way to help students! There are plenty of elective courses in many fields of study (pick a new one every year and explore all the departments of the school ;) The school is highly regarded in sports, including marching band, reaching national acclaim.... Read 308 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 26

• Newtown School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  503 reviews

Junior: Overall, Newtown is a solid school. Most of the teachers are fine if you show you take class seriously, and there's a wide variety of electives in just about every area of study. I honestly don't have enough room in my schedule for all the classes I want to take. Other than the very suspect bathrooms in the older portions of the school, the facilities are fine and having AC is nice. Newtown is a very wealthy town, and many of the sports and clubs are well funded (especially sports and theater, which is a big deal here as far as public high schools go). A big drawback is the lack of diversity. It's got to be at least 90% white. However, I found there is a pretty extensive and accepting LGBT+ community which is a definite plus. I haven't had the best experience with the guidance counselors though, in terms of scheduling and assistance. My friends who have visited counselors for mental health/bullying reasons also have had issues with confidentiality. Good luck!... Read 503 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• East Lyme School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  361 reviews

Senior: I loved being at East Lyme High School, the teachers were amazing, the school in general was amazing. In High School, I played Varsity basketball, cheerleading, and golf. The sports at East Lyme High School are incredible! Lots of fans support the sports, students, teachers, and parents. Throughout High School, I did somewhat struggle because there wasn't much diversity, I was able to manage my way through the year, and have met some other diverse friends along the way. There is not a lot I would change regarding the school other than the diversity of East Lyme.... Read 361 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 26

• Ridgefield School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  380 reviews

Alum: Ridgefield High School provides many opportunities to develop academically; the classes are rigorous and generally taught well by the faculty. The English department is particularly impressive and develops strong writers. This is perhaps why 93% of students meet or exceed reading comprehension proficiency standards. STEM classes are challenging. Although the academics are top-notch, I have found that there seems to be a lack of empathy for students. Oftentimes, teachers will assign tests on the same day or require ridiculous amounts of at-home work. (Especially true with AP classes). AP teachers generally only care about their classes’ scores and will act as though their class is the “most important,” making it difficult for a student with a heavy course load. The administration is another glaring issue at RHS; they are consistently rude to students and lack compassion. Respect will go a long way. Socially, RHS can be a hit or miss; RHS is cliquey and students’ experience varies... Read 380 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• Fairfield, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.17 out of 5  128 reviews

Senior: As a student who has transferred in as a Sophomore, it is a second-to-none experience. The Prep “brotherhood” is very real and beautiful thing to be part of. Dedicated faculty and staff who will always go the extra mile. Hail Prep!... Read 128 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 17

• Granby School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.54 out of 5  134 reviews

Senior: Coming in as a freshman. Granby was a very welcoming environment. I was on the football team so before school even started I knew several of the older kids, all of whom were genuine people. Granby's classes are tough, but there are constantly people trying to help you everywhere you go which makes Granby such a great environment to be in. It is also a small school so after a few months you know many people. One thing that I would love to see changed would be for us to get longer lunch periods for everyone. Currently, lunch lasts about 20 minutes but it would be nice if it were a 45 minute break for students to walk around, chat and get some fresh air outside.... Read 134 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 29

• Middletown, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  231 reviews

Parent: As parents, we are pleased and happy that our daughter spent her four years of high school at Mercy. She grew, learned, and made beautiful connections within a caring community. The school provided her with a solid academic curriculum, competitive sports program, a variety of clubs, and a strong sense of social responsibility through the school’s participation in community service activities. Her preparation and involvement helped her being accepted into multiple college programs with the opportunity to continue her participation in sports and diverse scholastic activities. We appreciate all the support from its teachers, staff, and coaches. We highly recommend Mercy High School!... Read 231 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 14

• Windsor School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  261 reviews

Senior: I think Windsor High School has the potential to be a 5/5 star school. There are a few things like the arts program that are severely lacking. I feel the sports programs are very good but football is lorded above all other teams. The football team is amazing but other teams need suppourt as well. The facilities are very nice. there’s a nice theater that doesn’t get used enough however and I would like to see used more. There are so many teachers that not even they have their own classrooms which is great in the aspect that there so many teachers but sometimes even with all of them, we do t have subs and a learning lab ends up without a teacher on short notice. I have personally never felt unsafe at school. We have safety officers that are quick to respond to any fights ect. When there are threats made, the school is flooded with police officers and they conduct thorough investigations into everything. The staff are just the best and everyone is so sweet and helpful all the time.... Read 261 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Westport School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.2 out of 5  225 reviews

Parent: Both of my sons graduated from Staples High School. One of my sons is currently a Senior at Cornell University. He feels he now appreciates Staples more than ever. The AP classes he took at Staples helped him to understand self teaching disciplines. These techniques were essential during the COVID pandemic and during his remote internships. My older son is also a Staples graduate. He graduated from Marquette University in August 2021. Notwithstanding a difficult post COVID job market, he was employed within two months of graduation and is now at a large accounting firm.... Read 225 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 37

• Monroe School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  227 reviews

Senior: I enjoyed Masuk High School because there was a really good atmosphere in the building. Everyone seemed happy all of the time. I also felt very safe at school. I never worried, and if there were any issues they were always taken care of. Masuk High School also had very good communication with me and my parents. The school wide gatherings like pep-rallies were also always very fun. Overall, I really like Masuk High School and have enjoyed my experience here.... Read 227 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 29

• Norwich, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  618 reviews

Sophomore: Norwich Free Academy is a great school filled with many unique clubs and extracurricular activities, while also providing students with great teachers, resources, and academics! The numerous opportunities at NFA have made my high school experience so far extremely worthwhile and enjoyable. After deciding to participate in the intense but rewarding Marching Band for my freshmen year via a friend’s suggestion, I ended up surprising myself with how drawn I became (and now am) to the performing arts programs here. Now, I am proud to be a part of several other musical ensembles at NFA, while also playing an active role in the NFA Play-shop’s Spring Musicals and more. Overall, with its rigorous Honors and AP classes, countless extracurricular activities and clubs, and its incredibly accepting student environment, NFA has a place for everyone to succeed.... Read 618 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 32

• Regional School District No. 17, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  155 reviews

Junior: I have been there for 3 years, and have had an amazing academic experience. The Drama program has really helped me find my feet in tough times, and the Arts and STEM is celebrated there. We have recently started to offer blended learning classes, and expanded our Health curriculum. The building is dated, and the heating and cooling is uneven, but can you expect anything more from the time in which it was built? Things have been slowly taken care of but we got a new auditorium and solar panels!... Read 155 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 37

• Wallingford School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  221 reviews

Junior: There are a handful of excellent courses, clubs, teams, and teachers, which all help students find their place. However, I think there is always room for further customization of the education system by possibly providing students with aptitude tests and other resources to allow them to discover what learning methods work best for them and what they enjoy doing so that they can spend more of their life working towards their goals and interests with the motivation of actually wanting to do it rather than because they are forced to. That said, I think the school is on the right track towards achieving this as they are continuously adding new course options to the curriculum and founding clubs that allow students to pursue the things they enjoy.... Read 221 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 24

• Waterford School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  152 reviews

Senior: I really enjoyed the teachers and academics that Waterford has to offer. Being a military brat, I’ve been in many different schools systems, but none had the benefits that Waterford had provided. From being in a beautiful building, to feeling that sense of community I highly recommend Waterford High School!... Read 152 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30

• Manchester, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  101 reviews

Junior: Junior at East Catholic. Had a lot of issues with the school involving the administration, but President Sean Brennan has done an amazing job fixing the place up! He’s created a much more comfortable environment for students of color, and put in a clear effort to fix the major flaws of the school. Many of the issues present in my freshman year are gone now. It has improved impressively and i’m very glad with how the environment here is.... Read 101 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Cheshire Public Schools, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  278 reviews

Freshman: Cheshire High School (CHS) is a wonderful public education institution and environment, housing grades nine through 12; although I have only taken my first year at CHS, I can surely recount that my experience so far has been delightful! The ambience allows for my peers and I to comfortably acquaint with one another, often as we show our school pride in numerous events, activities, and so on; I would also like to acclaim the generous range in extracurriculars provided for those attending, with over 25 clubs -- as well as the opportunity for students to organize their own -- sports year-round, and a variety of other pursuits including the newspaper and music and drama. However, CHS is unfortunately home to a few snags as well; as with other affiliates, I believe it would be propitious that the building's supplies and layout are upgraded, as it can be tedious to work with outmoded windows, bathrooms, and technology; I hope we can improve this issue together once we return to usual terms!... Read 278 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Danbury, CT•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.34 out of 5  174 reviews

Parent: I am the parent of two recent graduates. I firmly believe there is no better high school in Connecticut. You hear family mentioned often, that it's a strong close knit community. On one of the first days of school a coach came over to my car and said, "We really care about the kids here. You'll see." This was the understatement of the year - the caring never stopped - and continues. Nothing could be truer than "Once a Mustang, Always a Mustang." I think most graduates feel this way. My kids received college scholarships (many do. My son has graduated and is working in a competitive field credits Immaculate with giving him the tools for success. What I've noticed from other area parents of public high school kids is the public schools have a focus on certain agendas. Immaculate teaches the kids HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Big difference. Respect, humility, and kindness: all instilled in the kids. No regrets - athletically, academically, socially: a great, great place!... Read 174 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 20

• Suffield School District, CT•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.9 out of 5  143 reviews

Senior: At Suffield High School, I had several favorite teachers who taught me valuable life lessons. History was one of my favorite subjects and the teacher was arguably my favorite all time teacher. The school also offers cool business classes such as Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Business Law, and Personal Finance. There are also clubs to join like Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), World Language Society (WLS), Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and National Honor Society (NHS). This isn't to mention the top-notch sports teams such as the soccer team, basketball team, and lacrosse team.... Read 143 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25