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The best Kansas schools for athletes? According to one study, here are the top 25
TL;DR
A recent study ranks the top 25 Kansas schools for athletes based on student feedback and athletic performance metrics. The study highlights schools that excel in sports participation, state championships, and overall athletic offerings.
Key points
- Kansas has a rich history of elite athletic talent.
- The ranking is based on student and parent feedback.
- Criteria include state championships and sports participation.
The home state of legends like Barry Sanders and Dean Smith, Kansas has seen its fair share of elite athletic talent over the decades.
To this day, highly rated high school athletes come out of the state and take their talents to the best colleges in the country. A good number even make it to the professional ranks.
So, which schools in the Sunflower State are considered the best for high school athletes?
According to a study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for "reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school"—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.
25. Blue Valley North High School (Overland Park)
- Total number of sports: 22
24. Maize Senior High School
- Total number of sports: 24
23. Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School (Wichita)
- Total number of sports: 23
22. Blue Valley West High School (Overland Park)
- Total number of sports: 22
21. Liberal Senior High School
- Total number of sports: 22
20. Olathe West High School
- Total number of sports: 35
19. Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
- Total number of sports: 15
18. Maize South High School (Wichita)
- Total number of sports: 13
17. Olathe North High School
- Total number of sports: 22
16. Wichita Collegiate School
- Total number of sports: 20
15. Cheney High School
- Total number of sports: 14
14. Blue Valley High School (Overland Park)
- Total number of sports: 22
13. Shawnee Mission East High School (Prairie Village)
- Total number of sports: 23
12. Mill Valley High School (Shawnee)
- Total number of sports: 20
11. Wichita Heights High School
- Total number of sports: 22
10. Blue Valley Northwest High School (Overland Park)
- Total number of sports: 22
9. Buhler High School
- Total number of sports: 18
8. McPherson High School
- Total number of sports: 19
7. St. James Academy (Lenexa)
- Total number of sports: 21
6. Hayden Catholic High School (Topeka)
- Total number of sports: 12
5. Derby High School
- Total number of sports: 21
4. Andale High School
- Total number of sports: 15
3. Bishop Carroll Catholic High School (Wichita)
- Total number of sports: 13
2. Bishop Miege High School (Roeland Park)
- Total number of sports: 24
1. Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park)
- Total number of sports: 19
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See which Kansas high schools are best for athletes in 2026
Q&A
What criteria were used to rank the best Kansas schools for athletes?
The ranking was based on survey feedback from students and parents, including reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at each school.
Which Kansas schools are considered the best for high school athletes?
The study identifies the top 25 Kansas schools for athletes, but specific names are not provided in the excerpt.
How does Kansas compare to other states in producing elite athletes?
Kansas has a history of producing elite athletic talent, with notable figures like Barry Sanders and Dean Smith, and continues to send highly rated athletes to top colleges and professional ranks.
