Best high schools for sports in South Carolina

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 South Carolina 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. Eastside High School

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

#24. Spring Valley High School

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

#23. South Pointe High School

- City: Rock Hill
- Type: Public, Magnet
- Overall Niche grade: B-

#22. River Bluff High School

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

#21. W.J. Keenan High School

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

#20. Ridge View High School

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

#19. Blythewood High School

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

#18. Trinity Collegiate School

- City: Darlington
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A

#17. Chapman High School

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

#16. Southside Christian School

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

#15. Lexington High School

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

#14. Ben Lippen School

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

#13. Gilbert High School

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

#12. May River High School

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

#11. Chapin High School

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

#10. D.W. Daniel High School

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

#9. T.L. Hanna High School

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

#8. Christ Church Episcopal School

- City: Greenville
- Type: Private, Episcopal
- Overall Niche grade: A+

#7. Greenville Senior High Academy

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

#6. Hammond School

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

#5. James F. Byrnes High School

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

#4. Camden Military Academy

- City: Camden
- Type: Private, Boarding, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A

#3. A.C. Flora High School

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

#2. Dutch Fork High School

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

#1. Bishop England High School

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