Best high schools for sports in Arkansas
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 Arkansas 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.
#25. North Little Rock High School
- City: North Little Rock
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#24. Prescott High School
- City: Prescott
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+
#23. Magnet Cove High School
- City: Malvern
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#22. Mountain Home High Career Academics
- City: Mountain Home
- Type: Public, Charter
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#21. Bentonville High School
- City: Bentonville
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#20. Dardanelle High School
- City: Dardanelle
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#19. Little Rock Christian Academy
- City: Little Rock
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: A
#18. Trinity Christian School
- City: Texarkana
- Type: Private, Baptist
- Overall Niche grade: B
#17. Catholic High School for Boys
- City: Little Rock
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#16. Searcy High School
- City: Searcy
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#15. Parkview Magnet High School
- City: Little Rock
- Type: Public, Magnet
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#14. Dequeen High School
- City: Dequeen
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#13. Junction City High School
- City: Junction City
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+
#12. Shiloh Christian School
- City: Springdale
- Type: Private, Baptist
- Overall Niche grade: A
#11. The Academies at Jonesboro High School
- City: Jonesboro
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#10. Harrison High School
- City: Harrison
- Type: Public, Charter
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#9. Northside High School
- City: Fort Smith
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#8. Pulaski Academy
- City: Little Rock
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#7. Arkadelphia High School
- City: Arkadelphia
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#6. Alma High School
- City: Alma
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#5. Vilonia High School
- City: Vilonia
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#4. Nashville High School
- City: Nashville
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#3. Lake Hamilton High School
- City: Pearcy
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#2. Harding Academy
- City: Searcy
- Type: Private, Restorationist
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#1. Greenwood High School
- City: Greenwood
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
