Best high schools for sports in Colorado

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 Colorado 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. Fort Collins High School

- City: Fort Collins
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#24. Kent Denver School

- City: Englewood
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#23. Pomona High School

- City: Arvada
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#22. Evergreen High School

- City: Evergreen
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#21. Erie High School

- City: Erie
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#20. Windsor High School

- City: Windsor
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#19. Holy Family High School

- City: Broomfield
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A

#18. Mountain Vista High School

- City: Highlands Ranch
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#17. Fairview High School

- City: Boulder
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#16. Mullen High School

- City: Denver
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A

#15. Longmont High School

- City: Longmont
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#14. East High School

- City: Denver
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#13. Eaton High School

- City: Eaton
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#12. Battle Mountain High School

- City: Edwards
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#11. Rocky Mountain High School

- City: Fort Collins
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#10. Regis Jesuit High School

- City: Aurora
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#9. Thunderridge High School

- City: Highlands Ranch
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#8. Grandview High School

- City: Aurora
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#7. Pueblo West High School

- City: Pueblo West
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#6. Broomfield High School

- City: Broomfield
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#5. Columbine High School

- City: Littleton
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#4. Lutheran High School

- City: Parker
- Type: Private, Lutheran
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#3. Cheyenne Mountain High School

- City: Colorado Springs
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#2. Cherry Creek High School

- City: Greenwood Village
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#1. Valor Christian High School

- City: Highlands Ranch
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: A