Best high schools for sports in Virginia
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 Virginia 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. Westfield High School
- City: Chantilly
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#24. Louisa County High School
- City: Mineral
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#23. Woodgrove High School
- City: Purcellville
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#22. Broad Run High School
- City: Ashburn
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#21. Oscar F. Smith High School
- City: Chesapeake
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#20. James Madison High School
- City: Vienna
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#19. Highland Springs High School
- City: Highland Springs
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C-
#18. Auburn High School
- City: Riner
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#17. South County High School
- City: Lorton
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#16. Lake Braddock Secondary School
- City: Burke
- Type: Public, Magnet
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#15. Colonial Forge High School
- City: Stafford
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#14. Tuscarora High School
- City: Leesburg
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#13. Liberty Christian Academy
- City: Lynchburg
- Type: Private, Baptist
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#12. St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
- City: Alexandria
- Type: Private, Episcopal
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#11. E.C. Glass High School
- City: Lynchburg
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#10. Norfolk Academy
- City: Norfolk
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#9. Blue Ridge School
- City: Dyke
- Type: Private, Boarding, Episcopal, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#8. Lafayette High School
- City: Williamsburg
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#7. Woodberry Forest School
- City: Woodberry Forest
- Type: Private, Boarding, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#6. Salem High School
- City: Salem
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#5. Cape Henry Collegiate
- City: Virginia Beach
- Type: Private
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#4. Stone Bridge High School
- City: Ashburn
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#3. St. Catherine's School
- City: Richmond
- Type: Private, Episcopal, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#2. St. Paul VI Catholic High School
- City: Chantilly
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#1. Western Albemarle High School
- City: Crozet
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
