Best high schools for sports in Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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. Central Hardin High School
- City: Cecilia
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#24. North Hardin High School
- City: Radcliff
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#23. Franklin-Simpson High School
- City: Franklin
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#22. St. Henry District High School
- City: Erlanger
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#21. Scott High School
- City: Taylor Mill
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#20. Christian Academy of Louisville
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#19. Danville High School
- City: Danville
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#18. Covington Catholic High School
- City: Park Hills
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#16. Beechwood High School
- City: Fort Mitchell
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#15. DeSales High School
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#14. Scott County High School
- City: Georgetown
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B
#13. Mercy Academy
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#12. Johnson Central High School
- City: Paintsville
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#11. Lexington Catholic High School
- City: Lexington
- Type: Private, Boarding, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A
#10. Central High Magnet Career Academy
- City: Louisville
- Type: Public, Magnet
- Overall Niche grade: C+
#9. Notre Dame Academy
- City: Park Hills
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A
#8. Boyle County High School
- City: Danville
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#7. Assumption High School
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A
#6. Highlands High School
- City: Fort Thomas
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#5. Lexington Christian Academy
- City: Lexington
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: A
#4. Louisville Male High School
- City: Louisville
- Type: Public, Magnet
- Overall Niche grade: A
#3. Saint Xavier High School
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A
#2. Trinity High School
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A
#1. Sacred Heart Academy
- City: Louisville
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A
