2023 Best High Schools for Athletes in New York

• Victor Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  259 reviews

Senior: My experience at Victor began on day 1 of Pre-K school at Victor. What is so special about my 12 years here is that I spent my entire 12 years of school on one campus, similar to a college campus, but it's High school, on 166 acres to be exact! I can walk across the pathway and visit my Victor Primary School teachers. We are like one big family. I have attended school with pretty much the same students that I started my school career with. Along with this bonus is that Victor was named a National Banner Unified Champion School in 2020, one of only 9 NYS high schools to be recognized for creating an inclusive school community. 100% of Fall and Winter athletic teams were scholar athletes, maintaining a 90% or higher team average. 98% of High school students graduated with Regents Diploma in 2020. Victor School's SAT scores were among the highest in Greater Rochester Area. I've been fortunate to be a part of the Victor Community and I will value all I have learned every day of my life!... Read 259 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• Cornwall Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  291 reviews

Senior: My high school experience was pretty great! At Cornwall high school the teachers are very helpful and very personable. I'm currently a senior and have been enrolled in three college level courses which were all very challenging but with the help of my teachers and the NHS tutoring center i excelled in them! The environment is what you make it, some people have so many friends and have the time of their life in Cornwall but others struggle. In my opinion the students at Cornwall are very nice and include you in a lot of things you just have to reach out and talk to them. There are so many clubs at Cornwall and sports are a huge thing. The football team won the state championship two years in a row and everyone was super supportive of them... the town even held a parade for the team. High school is what you make it and at Cornwall the school is small, but big enough to find your place to fit in.... Read 291 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Massapequa Union Free School District, NY•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.86 out of 5  357 reviews

Senior: Through the three years that I attended the school, it has been nothing but a great experience for me. Entering there in my Sophomore year, it was a major change, as the previous year, my Freshman year, we had a school building all to ourselves. But now, we were with the Juniors and Seniors as well. However, much of that stress went away once I actually arrived there. The faculty and stuff were very welcoming of everyone, and made sure that the transition into the school was a comfortable one. From then on, I would enjoy my years in the school. I participated in various after-school programs, and I could definitely see why it is a Blue Ribbon School. The quality of education there is definitely appropriate of five stars, especially since the teachers there are amazing and are always looking out for the students. Besides that, as I mentioned, the other aspects and programs of the school made it a great experience up until now, and I'm sure that the few months left won't change a thing.... Read 357 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30

• Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  133 reviews

Senior: The teachers here are really supportive. It is very sport heavy, but academics are really strong. My favorite part of this school is the drama program that is well supported and fun!... Read 133 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Clarence Central School District, NY•

• 8-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  285 reviews

Junior: As far as high schools go, it's not too bad. Most teachers are great, know what they're talking about, expect much and yet are pretty understanding. There's a wide variety of classes to take at any level. Plenty of genuinely friendly and smart people. There are some downsides, tho. I transferred from a small private school in the middle of a pandemic, and it's really easy to feel lost and lonely if you don't get plugged into clubs or have a good friend group. You deal with a few double Ivy-league legacy types if you take AP classes, but it's not everyone. Workload is heavy and most students in my classes are stressed and sleep deprived, but I think that's pretty universal for the classes we take. There's a vandalism problem, so now teachers monitor how many people are in the bathroom at once and admin treats us like kindergarteners. If you want something (counseling, information, etc.) you have to take initiative and ask for it yourself, which isn't always a straightforward process.... Read 285 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• North Syracuse Central School District, NY•

• 10-12

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  534 reviews

Senior: Cicero-North Syracuse High School has hundreds of electives and has a class for everyone. There are many different categories of electives that many other schools do not offer. Art, Business, English, Family & Consumer Science, Health, Math, Science, Social Studies, Stage Productions, Technology, World Languages, and Technical Education. There are so many opportunities for students to take a course related to their carrier. CNS is also very LGBTQ inclusive and prioritizies the awareness of mental health. There are many resources throughout the school with the best counselors to provide assistance for students with anything from mental health to career paths. We also have an amazing opportunity for athletes with a updated stadium and high quality turf. The only change that needs to be made is the school food. I personally feel not enough school budget is put into the food because a majority of students would rather skip lunch than consume most of the poor quality food.... Read 534 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Maine-Endwell Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  122 reviews

Junior: Overall the school is very well kept and everyone is involved in school activities. Not only are the academic ratings high the extra-curricular activities such as sports are very popular. Our school takes part in many musicals and plays due to a well organized music department. As far as the teachers they are all very welcoming and accept each and every student. The teachers go out of their way each and every day to help a different student in not only school life but their personal life as well! Maine Endwell High School has shown me the true meaning of a family, I can always count on the teachers and fellow classmates if I ever need to talk about anything or if I need help in my life.... Read 122 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 26

• Glens Falls City School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.67 out of 5  99 reviews

Senior: Very friendly walking community school. The school feels safe and has a nice welcoming community. The school offers a wide variety of classes to prepare every person with some background knowledge in any field they desired. The school also offers many classes to help develop important life skills before college, which have proved to be very useful. Glens Falls is a very good school in a great spot with great people, really hometown USA that is excellent at preparing the next generations for their future.... Read 99 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 36

• Monroe-Woodbury Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  471 reviews

Senior: I love how diverse and accepting the student population is. The education level was always at the top and I can truly say I've learned a lot. Being an athlete, musician, and honors student has always been quite the handful, but I have a lot of resources at the school to help if I ever needed it. However, there are opportunities for the school to improve, such as holding all students to the same academic standard. Grades also vary greatly between students that have different teachers in the same subject which affect rank and self-esteem.... Read 471 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Shenendehowa Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  278 reviews

Senior: Shenendehowa High School has a great school environment! Faculty is generally good and extremely helpful. Teachers at Shenendehowa are always looking for ways to help students learn and succeed individually. That means extra help hours, personalized lessons or offering tutoring. I love the school spirit everyone shares at Shen. Students and staff always sport their merchandise and sports apparel which really brings everyone together. Shen offers tons of clubs and activities where students can connect with those who share the same interests. One of the coolest aspects of Shen in my opinion is the dark room. We are one of the last schools with a dark room used for black and white film photography. I had such an amazing experience in that class that I would have never gotten the chance to have if I didn't go to Shen. It's a great school with a lot of great opportunities!... Read 278 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Queensbury Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  187 reviews

Junior: Queensbury High School offers a lot of upper-level courses for students who want to be challenged like the IB courses, AP courses, and honor courses. Queensbury also offers many clubs and sports and there is always something for everyone to participate in which makes learning and school fun. The teachers are very nice and willing to help their students learn and achieve all their future goals. Everyone at Queensbury gets a chance to be a star and everyone has access to the resources to do it because of the amazing administration and staff. Queensbury isn't a huge school but it isn't small either which provides students with different groups of people to socialize with while knowing everyone else in the school. Overall, Queensbury is a wonderful school to go to especially if you want to be challenged and have a great time while learning. As a transfer student from a small rural school to Queensbury, I would highly recommend it!... Read 187 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Huntington Station, NY•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.35 out of 5  444 reviews

Senior: As a soon to graduate senior, I have had all the resources needed to succeed and supportive teachers to help me on the way. The school’s staff is great and the majority of the teachers are cool, most more than not. Ive had access to state of the art technology and facilities. The only thing holding me back from giving a full 5 stars is the fact that the seniors have felt a bit neglected this year due to senior privileges being loosely enforced, if even so, such as senior parking being limited due to not cracking down on juniors parking, a senior cafe that any grade level has access to; seniors being forced to eat lunch in a hallway instead of their own cafeteria; and biggest of all, no senior trip. The school advertises their Italy pilgrimage strongly but it only applies to the chorus which the majority is not involved in. Otherwise the school is amazing and have been recommending anyone considering to go!... Read 444 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• Marlboro Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.51 out of 5  108 reviews

Junior: Since i’ve been attending Marlboro Central High School, i’ve made lasting relationships with teachers, staff, and my peers. They have a variety of different courses to appeal to all different interest, including mine, which are psychology and sociology.... Read 108 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Bayport-Blue Point Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  101 reviews

Junior: The classes offered at Bayport Blue Point High School are excellent for all students. Whether you want to challenge yourself with an AP class or need some help with a modified class, the option is yours. Most of the teachers are fantastic, and provide their students with a great education while forming bonds with them. BBP High School also offers many clubs, such as debate club and science Olympiad, and students can request to start their own club. The school also takes pride in its sports, with many options and a very high participation rate among students. The science and math departments offer many accelerated or modified classes to accommodate the students, and these classes are very informative. Perhaps the best department in Bayport Blue Point High School is the art and music department. There are numerous classes, orchestras, classes, AP music theory, ceramics, and many more. Several music extracurriculars are offered, including chamber orchestra, the musical, and jazz choir.... Read 101 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Bronxville Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.94 out of 5  78 reviews

Junior: I have been going to Bronxville for 12 years and although it is an extremely competitive environment, teachers are so helpful and it is all super manageable. The social life in Bronxville is super fun and seeing all the comments about drinking and drugs makes me sad because that is not necessarily true and honestly most high schools have more drinking and drugs than we do. Bronxville is so unique and it's such a great school! There's something there for everyone whether it is sports or the arts (which have become much more prominent in student life).... Read 78 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Orchard Park Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  221 reviews

Parent: Orchard Park High School has been a wonderful experience for my two oldest daughters. I have a junior and a senior and couldn’t be happier with the experience. The academics are top notch with many opportunities for excelled programs. My girls have been involved in music and theater and the program is amazing! There are many opportunities for vocal and instrumental activities and the support they have both received is wonderful. I fell they are both well prepared for college and beyond. They are well rounded, caring human beings thanks to the culture promoted at OP!... Read 221 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Somers Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  157 reviews

Junior: Academically, Somers is excellent. They offer plenty of courses taught by wonderful teachers who are- for the most part- extremely caring and hard working. I was guided to start thinking about college as early as freshman year, and there were classes available to me to support my college/future plans. There are many counselors available for college-talk and mental health support if needed, and most teachers I’ve encountered were incredibly supportive. The food is painfully average and bland, but I have seen some improvements in the last year. The student body is predominantly white and share similar backgrounds. Bathrooms are somewhat clean, but often infested with groups of loiterers. Overall, my Somers experience was generally pleasant and definitely beneficial to my growth as a person and a student.... Read 157 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• Levittown Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.93 out of 5  238 reviews

Senior: Overall MacArthur High School is great! The teachers really do want you to succeed and it’s amazing to see their involvement with the students. They treat them like their own kids and it’s just an amazing feeling. The school is limited on resources but makes the best of what they got, they will make sure you’re involve in as many school activities as they have. They students have outstanding school pride with their chant “Mac Pride Never Dies!”. The environment inside the school something you’ll never forget. Seeing all students come together for anything is absolutely eye opening, regardless of being in school or out of school.... Read 238 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 24

• Vestal Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  147 reviews

Senior: I really enjoyed my time at Vestal High School! In my opinion, they have the best selection of rigorous and advanced courses in our area from AP to IB courses. The teachers and staff are very friendly and always willing to do extra to help their students learn. Overall, Vestal Senior High School is a great school. I enjoyed all four years at the school and I can’t wait to put all of my knowledge that I learned there into practice at college.... Read 147 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 27

• Spencerport Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  177 reviews

Alum: When I look back upon my high school experience, I can say those were ‘the good old days.’ I know when you look back to your high school days you either say what I said, or the opposite. You either hated it, or loved it…there’s not much in between. At Spencerport I enjoyed by time. Sure- I had some ups and downs, some good experiences some bad with some teachers- but that’s life that’s gonna happen. One thing I did appreciate from Spencerport was the love for sports. I had 3 older siblings who attended Spencerport a whole 10 years before me. Yes- my blood siblings, All that to say- we all attended Spencerport and had many friends and excelled in sports. That was beyond awesome. The community at Spencerport definitely has a bunch of characters- I met great teachers, some not too great, but I focus on the ones who impacted me and left a lasting impression on my life- to this day. I really do miss the memories I made at Spencerport and I will cherish them for the rest of my life.... Read 177 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Jamesville-Dewitt Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  157 reviews

Senior: Personally, my experience with the school is great. I've always felt welcome to the community and I always knew that it was the same for many others as well. All of the staff were willing to help, and the teachers were excellent in teaching their classes. Although I haven't joined any sports or many clubs, I can still say with confidence that those communities are very good at keeping the school engaged with the community outside. The school also provides a lot of opportunities, having many AP courses as well as machinery used by art classes. Each class as mentioned before will have teachers always ready to support the student if the student has any questions. The school events are always something to look forward to throughout the year. There's always a fun activity to watch and sometimes being able to participate yourself. As a senior, I am proud to be a part of the Jamesville Dewitt High School community, being present with it throughout my entire high school years.... Read 157 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• New Rochelle City School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  578 reviews

Junior: Academics- The schools academics are great. They have SO many options to choose from for classes to take it can even get overwhelming, but very useful. Diversity- New Rochelle in GENERAL is very diversed, and so is NRHS. There are people do all races, and EVERYONE is accepted, and respected. Teachers- The teachers(most) are also always willing to give us extra help if we need it. Very nice, and good at teaching. College Readiness- The school is ALWAYS willing to help & prepare all of us for college, even starting in your freshman year. You can speak to practically anyone- but especially your counselor, and they always give good advice and help you through the overwhelming college process. Clubs and Activities- SO many to choose from no matter WHAT you like, you’ll find something for you. I can’t fit much more, but overall even though the school building is absolutely humongous, everyone is always willing to help, support, and make sure you have an amazing high school experience.... Read 578 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 28

• Pittsford Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.12 out of 5  186 reviews

Senior: I have had a largely enjoyable and educational six years in the Pittsford Central School District, like many of my peers. Teachers and students alike prioritize academics and post-graduation success, which I greatly value. The music and athletic programs are notably successful and competitive, while simultaneously providing students of all skills and backgrounds with opportunities to participate. My criticisms of Pittsford Mendon High school include the somewhat excessive expectations placed upon students, and the faculty's mishandling of social or cultural situations. Students are expected to take the most difficult classes possible, and as many as they can register for, rather than prioritizing their interests, career plans, and physical and mental health. Further, racial incidents within the district have been treated as an opportunity for unity and press, rather than a situation to learn from and amend. With further social progress, MHS would be an ideal school for any student.... Read 186 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 32

• Lindenhurst Union Free School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  302 reviews

Junior: Lindenhurst High School occurs a variety of Regents level, Honors, College, and AP classes. Along with this, there are tons of clubs to choose from. The clubs offered are well suited to the student’s different interests. There are a large variety of sports, both junior varsity and varsity offered. The diversity at this school isn’t the best, since there are few minorities. Although this school isn’t very diverse, teachers make an effort to be inclusive and respectful to different cultures. There are a lot of language classes to choose from, and the Spanish classes are very popular. There are many teachers or administrators with controversial opinions politically which can make students feel uncomfortable. But there are still many teachers that remain neutral about politics as well. There is a lot of support for the LGBTQ+ community in this school, but bullying isn’t often noticed.... Read 302 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 31

• Lancaster Central School District, NY•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  304 reviews

Senior: My experience at Lancaster High School has been great! In my opinion, the faculty and staff here do a great job at creating an adaptable and supportive learning environment. There's almost an endless amount of resources for whatever any of the students here need, which is extremely helpful when trying to get work done. All of the students are provided with a wide range of opportunities, including five educational academies and many different electives. My school has much more to offer than just the core classes, which is one of the favorite things about my school. I personally participate in the PLTW academy, which has allowed me to explore the things I'm actually interested in, such as technology and engineering. Overall, the past four years at this high school have been very positive, and I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else.... Read 304 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 30