Best high schools for sports in Delaware
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 Delaware 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. William Penn High School
- City: New Castle
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#24. Milford Senior High School
- City: Milford
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#23. Appoquinimink High School
- City: Middletown
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#22. Dover High School
- City: Dover
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#21. The Tatnall School
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#20. Archmere Academy
- City: Claymont
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#19. The Charter School of Wilmington
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Public, Charter
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#18. Indian River High School
- City: Dagsboro
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#17. Sussex Central High School
- City: Georgetown
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#16. Delaware Military Academy
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Public, Charter
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#15. Howard High School of Technology
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#14. Sanford School
- City: Hockessin
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#13. Conrad Schools of Science
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#12. Alexis I. du Pont High School
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#11. Caesar Rodney High School
- City: Camden
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#10. Delmar High School
- City: Delmar
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#9. Ursuline Academy
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Private, Catholic, Montessori
- Overall Niche grade: A
#8. Cape Henlopen High School
- City: Lewes
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#7. Middletown High School
- City: Middletown
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#6. Caravel Academy
- City: Bear
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A
#5. Saint Mark's High School
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#4. Smyrna High School
- City: Smyrna
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#3. Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School
- City: Newark
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#2. Padua Academy
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A
#1. Salesianum School
- City: Wilmington
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A
