Best high schools for sports in Washington
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 Washington 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. North Kitsap High School
- City: Poulsbo
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#24. Mercer Island High School
- City: Mercer Island
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#23. Central Valley High School
- City: Spokane Valley
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#22. Eastside Catholic School
- City: Sammamish
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#21. Lynden High School
- City: Lynden
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#20. West Valley High School
- City: Spokane
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#19. Puyallup High School
- City: Puyallup
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#18. Gonzaga Preparatory School
- City: Spokane
- Type: Private, Catholic
- Overall Niche grade: A
#17. Mt. Spokane High School
- City: Mead
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#16. Fife High School
- City: Tacoma
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#15. Sehome High School
- City: Bellingham
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#14. Tumwater High School
- City: Tumwater
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#13. Camas High School
- City: Camas
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A
#12. Lincoln High School
- City: Tacoma
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#11. Chiawana High School
- City: Pasco
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#10. Kentwood High School
- City: Covington
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#9. Lakeside High School
- City: Nine Mile Falls
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#8. Zillah High School
- City: Zillah
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B-
#7. Lynden Christian School
- City: Lynden
- Type: Private, Christian (General)
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#6. Royal High School
- City: Royal City
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: C+
#5. Union High School
- City: Camas
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A-
#4. Skyview High School
- City: Vancouver
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: B+
#3. Holy Names Academy
- City: Seattle
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Girls
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#2. Bellevue High School
- City: Bellevue
- Type: Public
- Overall Niche grade: A+
#1. O'Dea High School
- City: Seattle
- Type: Private, Catholic, All-Boys
- Overall Niche grade: A
