Best high schools for sports in Michigan

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 Michigan 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. Northern High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#24. Marquette Senior High School

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

#23. Lakeshore High School

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

#22. Grosse Pointe South High School

- City: Grosse Pointe Farms
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#21. Lake Orion High School

- City: Lake Orion
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#20. East Lansing High School

- City: East Lansing
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#19. Lumen Christi Catholic School

- City: Jackson
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: B

#18. Clarkston High School

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

#17. Marian High School

- City: Bloomfield Hills
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A

#16. St. Mary Catholic Central High School

- City: Monroe
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#15. Hudsonville High School

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

#14. East Grand Rapids High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#13. St. Francis High School

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

#12. Powers Catholic High School

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

#11. Grand Rapids Christian High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: A

#10. West Catholic High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#9. Chelsea High School

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

#8. Central High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A

#7. Catholic Central High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A

#6. East Kentwood High School

- City: Grand Rapids
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#5. Rockford High School

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

#4. De La Salle Collegiate

- City: Warren
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A

#3. Detroit Catholic Central High School

- City: Novi
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#2. Brother Rice High School

- City: Bloomfield Hills
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#1. Saline High School

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