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Which U.S. schools are best for athletes? According to one study, these are the top 25
TL;DR
A recent study ranks the top 25 high schools in the U.S. for athletes based on various factors, including state championships and student participation in sports. Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is listed as number 25.
Key points
- Study ranks top 25 high schools for athletes in the U.S.
- Factors include state championships and student participation.
- Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is ranked 25th.
While college and professional sports draw a ton of attention across the country, the road to higher levels of competition begins in high school.
All over the country, Friday nights are packed at high school football stadiums in the fall, while small gymnasiums are packed for tough basketball matchups. These fans get a glimpse of tomorrow's stars in March Madness, college football, or even the professional ranks.
So, what high schools in the United States are considered the best for high school athletes today?
According to one 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. Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (Dallas)
- Total number of sports: 23
24. Salesianum School (Wilmington, Delaware)
- Total number of sports: 15
23. Cardinal Gibbons High School (Raleigh, North Carolina)
- Total number of sports: 27
22. Bergen Catholic High School (Oradell, New Jersey)
- Total number of sports: 19
Oct 25, 2025; Oradell, New Jersey, USA; St. Joes football at Bergen Catholic. BC #24 Tristan Herring tries to avoid a tackle by SJ #1 Kenyon McClain.
21. Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood, Massachusetts)
- Total number of sports: 17
20. Christian Brothers College High School (Town and Country, Missouri)
- Total number of sports: 18
19. Detroit Catholic Central High School (Novi, Michigan)
- Total number of sports: 18
18. St. Xavier High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)
- Total number of sports: 17
17. Trinity High School (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Total number of sports: 21
16. Saint Xavier High School (Louisville, Kentucky)
- Total number of sports: 19
Saint Xavier's Lucas Shelton (5) runs into the end zone for a late touchdown but the Tigers fell to Trinity 35-24 at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium Friday, Sept. 26, 2025.
15. Boston College High School (Massachusetts)
- Total number of sports: 17
14. Saint Thomas Aquinas High School (Overland Park, Kansas)
- Total number of sports: 19
13. Bedford High School (Bedford School District, New Hampshire)
- Total number of sports: 34
12. Arrowhead High School (Hartland, Wisconsin)
- Total number of sports: 28
11. La Salle Academy (Providence, Rhoad Island)
- Total number of sports: 30
10. St. Edward High School (Lakewood, Ohio)
- Total number of sports: 17
9. Delbarton School (Morristown, New Jersey)
- Total number of sports: 18
8. Cathedral Catholic High School (San Diego, California)
- Total number of sports: 35
7. McCallie School (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
- Total number of sports: 17
6. Gonzaga College High School (Washington, D.C)
- Total number of sports: 18
5. Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School (Phoenix)
- Total number of sports: 18
4. Bishop Hendricken High School (Warwick, Rhode Island)
- Total number of sports: 17
3. Christopher Columbus High School (Miami, Florida)
- Total number of sports: 15
2. St. John's Preps (Danvers, Massachusetts)
- Total number of sports: 22
1. St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
- Total number of sports: 30
Bayside meets St. Thomas Aquinas in the FHSAA Class 6A state girls basketball finals March 14, 2026. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Data via Niche survey statistics
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Study reveals best U.S. high schools for athletes in 2026
Q&A
What are the top 25 high schools in the U.S. for athletes?
The top 25 high schools for athletes in the U.S. are ranked based on factors like state championships and student participation in sports.
How was the ranking of high schools for athletes determined?
The ranking was determined by a study from Niche that considered survey feedback from students and parents, as well as data from the U.S. Department of Education.
What factors contribute to a high school being considered the best for athletes?
Factors include reviews of athletics, the number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the variety of sports offered at the school.
Which high school is ranked 25th for athletes in the U.S.?
Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas is ranked 25th among the best high schools for athletes in the U.S.