Best high schools for sports in New Mexico

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 New Mexico 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. Volcano Vista High School

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

#24. Santa Fe Preparatory School

- City: Santa Fe
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#23. Albuquerque Academy

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

#22. Capital High School

- City: Santa Fe
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C

#21. Los Lunas High School

- City: Los Lunas
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#20. Belen High School

- City: Belen
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C

#19. Shiprock High School

- City: Shiprock
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C

#18. Las Cruces High School

- City: Las Cruces
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B

#17. Cleveland High School

- City: Rio Rancho
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-

#16. Hobbs High School

- City: Hobbs
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+

#15. Mayfield High School

- City: Las Cruces
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#14. Centennial High School

- City: Las Cruces
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+

#13. Goddard High School

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

#12. Piedra Vista High School

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

#11. La Cueva High School

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

#10. St. Pius X High School

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

#9. Los Alamos High School

- City: Los Alamos
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#8. Carlsbad High School

- City: Carlsbad
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+

#7. Roswell High School

- City: Roswell
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C

#6. Robertson High School

- City: Las Vegas
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C

#5. St. Michael's High School

- City: Santa Fe
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A

#4. Farmington High School

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

#3. Hope Christian School

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

#2. Sandia Preparatory School

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

#1. Taos High School

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