Best high schools for sports in Arizona
More than 7.6 million high school students played sports across the U.S. during the 2021-22 academic year, according to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations. Those athletes participated in a slew of sports: from football—the most popular sport for high school boys with 1 million players nationwide—to track and field, which is the most popular sport amongst high school girls in the U.S. with more than 488,000 athletes.
The dynamic landscape of high school sports has created competition not only between athletes but the institutions they represent. With more than 23,500 public and private secondary and high schools across the country, determining the best options for athletes is an arduous process.
High schools across the country are vying to be crowned the best institution for athletes in America and not only has the battle become personal but regional as well. States like California and Florida, which have high-profile high-school athletic programs, also want bragging rights.
Young athletes will continue to thrive as sports return to pre-pandemic participation levels and high schools put in the work to be considered one of the best institutions in America for sports.
Stacker compiled a list of the best high schools for sports in Arizona using data from Niche. These rankings factor in parent and student surveys on sports, total high school enrollment, K-12 sports championships, number of sports, and athletic participation rates.
#24. Williams Field High School
- City: Gilbert
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#23. Sunnyslope High School
- City: Phoenix
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#22. Winslow High School
- City: Winslow
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#21. Desert Edge High School
- City: Goodyear
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#20. Coolidge High School
- City: Coolidge
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+
#19. Valley Christian Schools
- City: Chandler
- Type: Private, Evangelical
- Overall Niche grade: A
#18. Perry High School
- City: Gilbert
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#17. American Leadership Academy - Queen Creek K-12
- City: Queen Creek
- Type: Public, Charter
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#16. Campo Verde High School
- City: Gilbert
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#15. Liberty High School
- City: Peoria
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#14. Page High School
- City: Page
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C
#13. Cienega High School
- City: Vail
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#12. Red Mountain High School
- City: Mesa
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#11. Seton Catholic Preparatory
- City: Chandler
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#10. Dr. Camille Casteel High School
- City: Queen Creek
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#9. Sabino High School
- City: Tucson
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#8. Chandler High School
- City: Chandler
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#7. Chaparral High School
- City: Scottsdale
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#6. Notre Dame Catholic College Preparatory High School
- City: Scottsdale
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A
#5. Pinnacle High School
- City: Phoenix
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#4. Saguaro High School
- City: Scottsdale
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#3. Northwest Christian School - Phoenix Campus
- City: Phoenix
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#2. Xavier College Preparatory Roman Catholic High School
- City: Phoenix
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#1. Salpointe Catholic High School
- City: Tucson
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A
