2023 Best High Schools for Athletes in Virginia

• Albemarle County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  197 reviews

Freshman: Personally, I love Western Albemarle. The people are great and all my teachers teach well. It’s really easy to make friends and most everybody is welcoming. The only thing bad about it is the lack of diversity. I would guess that Western is 95% white, if not more. There isn’t really a way to change that, but compared to the schools in Charlottesville there are is a lot less diversity. The school lacks the opportunities to meet people that are different than you and learn from them. The cons of the school are there, but are minor. Overall, I love Western!... Read 197 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• 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 —

• Richmond, VA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.32 out of 5  136 reviews

Parent: This is my daughter's first year at St. Catherine's School and she is thriving. Her Kindergarten experience has been stellar and we have seen growth in just the very few months when she started in August. The admissions process went very smoothly and the admissions department were extremely helpful in every step. Every day, my daughter comes home with a huge smile on her face and goes through every detail of what she learned and how much she loves her teachers. This is the greatest gift a parent could receive seeing how happy and excited she is about school. We could not have chosen a more perfect place for our daughter to learn, flourish with the amazing guidance of her teachers and make lasting friendships. I highly recommend St. Catherine's School!... Read 136 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 14

• 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

• Virginia Beach, VA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 4.8 out of 5  80 reviews

Parent: I have been a part of the Cape Henry community for over 37 years! Starting as a student in the 3rd grade, alumni and now parent! I will be honest we did visit other area schools when we were deciding where to send our first born...and after doing our due diligence decided Cape was still the best fit for our family! He has since graduated and just finished his first year at The University of Virginia with flying colors! We continue to be parents with three younger students still enrolled and are beyond pleased with the academic curriculum! But for us, developing a love of learning and having happy well rounded children is the most important thing! With this Cape Henry delivers! My children are encouraged to get involved in all areas of the community...sports, forensics, theatre, volunteering etc! I truly believe that Cape Henry lives up to its mission to develop global thinkers! I can't wait to see what this year has in store for each of them!... Read 80 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Salem City Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.87 out of 5  255 reviews

Senior: I love Salem High School because we have the best school spirit! Our small-town vibes on a Friday night will bring tears to your eyes. Our community is so supportive of our football team. I had the best experience cheering for our team and community. Not to mention, the teachers and staff I encountered were very uplifting and supportive. I will miss my high school very much.... Read 255 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 36

• Woodberry Forest, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.63 out of 5  38 reviews

Junior: Woodberry has been the best decision I have ever made. The teachers are second to none at offering their assistance to students who have trouble studying or do not understand the ideas they teach. At Woodberry, academic success is less about the grades and more about the spirit you develop when tackling problems. Being at Woodberry has taught me that the best way to problem solve is to meet the adversary head on and not be afraid to fail. At Woodberry, failing after attempting something challenging is met with compassion and teachers who are more than happy to help you up again and give you another shot.... Read 38 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19

• Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  184 reviews

Senior: I really love majority of the teachers and staff at Lafayette Highschool. Majority of them really do care and went to see you succeed and not just “pass”. I would like to see the division improve, for example, the school is almost like divided into big groups and it’s like certain groups control the school. A certain group of kids can be so cool with a teacher and just get away with anything, even with security. Overall it’s a good experience but the staff and student relationships are too deep in terms of friendships and using the staff to get out of trouble. Other than that it’s a great school, it offers A LOT for the students!... Read 184 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• Dyke, VA•

• Private School•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 4.68 out of 5  68 reviews

Parent: All community members from Blue Ridge School are nice. Blue Ridge School activities, particularly the ROPEs Trip every year, can push students limit. Faculty members are friendly to motivate student on academic subjects. School offers a variety of off-campus activities to fully maximize students' experience. School efforts to build the campus with Safe, Community and Inclusive culture is attractive to both students and their family. Last but not the least, Blue Ridge School has a very very nice campus for students studying and living there.... Read 68 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 15

• Norfolk, VA•

• Private School•

• 1-12

• •
  Rating 4.47 out of 5  146 reviews

Alum: This school has prepared me immensely for my upcoming years at college. The teachers are amazing advocates for their students and provide immense opportunity for each student as well. I have become a better leader, student, and friend because of my attendance at Norfolk Academy. I will always have strong ties to this school and the community because being a student here has positively impacted my life.... Read 146 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Lynchburg City Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  268 reviews

Alum: E.C. Glass was a pretty good school! I definitely enjoyed a lot of my classes there, and had a good relationship with a lot of my peers. I participated in their colorguard (marching band) from 7th-12th grade and that taught me a lot. The arts are definitely a strong field, and helped me learn a lot about myself and life. Some of the teachers were not the best, but you will have that anywhere. I didn't notice a lot of involvement from the administration but they also had a lot of new members circulating through. They have some good outside programs, such as Early College and Governor's School. I know there were many AP and College-credit classes available too. I did the Early College program, which was amazing. The teachers were fantastic and I felt very prepared for college.... Read 268 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 25

• 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

• Lynchburg, VA•

• Private School•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  138 reviews

Senior: I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Liberty Christian Academy. I have grown academically, athletically, socially, and spiritually. I have learned so much and created fantastic memories inside and outside of school. I have created amazing relationships with my classmates and teachers. I am so thankful for my time at LCA.... Read 138 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports —

• 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

• Stafford County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.95 out of 5  399 reviews

Senior: Forge is a very great high school for those who wish to strive academically. A good amount of teachers are excellent and confident about the subject they are teaching their students and are always willing to help them as well. School spirit is also a very important at Forge but it can be split between athletic and non-athletic students! Since it is a predominantly white school, I must say there are cliques that exists among the POC community. Overall it is a good school for anyone who wishes to pursuit a spirit and academically driven high school experience!... Read 399 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 23

• 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

• 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

• Montgomery County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  67 reviews

Senior: Auburn High School provides excellent teachers who are willing to help and provide guidance to students. The students get along great and build connections in many clubs and sports. The school includes great teamwork and does a great job bringing students together! All activities and events students love participating with and it is an engaging school in many ways. I highly recommend sending your child to Auburn High for a great learning experience and great teachers always there to help!... Read 67 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 20

• Henrico County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  349 reviews

Junior: The Highland Springs High School teachers and staff are very engaged. They truly invest in their students. Although they deal with more socio-economic impact issues than their peers in the West End, the commitment is the same, if not higher. Being apart of the dual enrollment program will ensure that you are challenged academically and graduate with an AS in Business Administration from JSRCC before you even graduate high school. There are lots of clubs to choose from and honor societies that will invite you to join if you meet the qualifications. Like any high school, you will get out of it, what you put in it. The Athletic Dept is phenomenal and they have outstanding & supportive coaches. The players are STUDENT athletes, for sure. The only downside is that the school is not very diverse student wise and there some students that start fights, which takes away from instruction time for everyone. The students that come to school to learn, will have a good experience.... Read 349 reviews

• grade C minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• 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

• Chesapeake Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.82 out of 5  484 reviews

Senior: My experience at Oscar Smith Highschool was great even though it was cut short due to the pandemic. The environment is welcoming despite tough times; however, there isn't a perfect school. Oscar Smith showed me people from many different types of life, different upbringings, and different morals from staff and students. The experience opened my eyes to many diverse ways to interact with others, new opportunities due to volunteering, and how to carry myself in a vast amount of situations. The main thing I would like to change is the workload and the focus on mental health. School is very stressful in addition to situations outside of school. I believe it would benefit the environment of my school if we focus on the student's mental health over the work. Assignments will be very tedious to complete if the student can not focus due to the stress of not having a positive mental outlook.... Read 484 reviews

• grade B+

• 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

• Loudoun County Public Schools, VA•

• PK, K-12

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  344 reviews

Junior: Woodgrove is full of great teachers and students. People are uplifting and kind rather than tearing people down with gossip and unkindness. The classes offered cater to students who desire a more challenging courseload as well as students who need an easier load. Taking Dual Enrollment courses and APs is encouraged, because college credit can be reaped from doing well in these courses. For a medium level course, students can take honors which award a gpa bump to weighted gpas. There is a plethora of electives which include various foreign languages, cooking, woodworking, cybersecurity, and more! At woodgrove, teachers truly want you to succeed and they are happy to help you in and outside of your class hours. The writing center offers helpful tutors to aid students with essay writing and proofing. Another great thing about WHS is its extracurriculars. Clubs of all sorts are offered as well as sports. Each sport has 1-2 coaches which help the players to improve skill and technique.... Read 344 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 22

• Louisa County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  215 reviews

Alum: I have never been more proud of being an alumni of a school district. Most of the teachers are supportive, understanding, and caring people. I still have contact with a few of my former teachers!... Read 215 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 24

• Fairfax County Public Schools, VA•

• 9-12

• •
  Rating 3.73 out of 5  593 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 593 reviews

• grade A

• grade A+

• Total number of sports 19