Top sports schools in Illinois, ranked highly.

Sports in High Schools Across the U.S.

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. The range of sports that these athletes participated in is vast, from football being the most popular among boys with 1 million players nationwide, to track and field being the most popular sport among girls with over 488,000 athletes.

In this dynamic landscape of high school sports, competition not only exists between athletes, but also between the institutions they represent. With over 23,500 public and private secondary and high schools in the country, identifying the best options for athletes can be a challenging process.

High schools across the country are vying to be recognized as the best institution for athletes in America. This battle has become personal, but also regional, with states like California and Florida, which have high-profile high-school athletic programs, competing for bragging rights.

As sports return to pre-pandemic participation levels and high schools work hard to be considered among the best institutions in America for sports, young athletes will continue to thrive.

Best High Schools for Sports in Illinois

Stacker compiled a list of the best high schools for sports in Illinois, using data from Niche. The rankings took into account parent and student surveys on sports, total high school enrollment, K-12 sports championships, number of sports, and athletic participation rates.

#25. Sacred Heart Griffin High School

– City: Springfield
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A-

#24. Joliet Catholic Academy

– City: Joliet
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A

#23. Boylan Catholic High School

– City: Rockford
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A-

#22. Adlai E. Stevenson High School

– City: Lincolnshire
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#21. Batavia High School

– City: Batavia
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A

#20. Prairie Ridge High School

– City: Crystal Lake
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#19. Belvidere North High School

– City: Belvidere
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: B+

#18. Neuqua Valley High School

– City: Naperville
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#17. Benet Academy

– City: Lisle
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#16. Homewood-Flossmoor High School

– City: Flossmoor
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A

#15. Nazareth Academy

– City: La Grange Park
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A

#14. Naperville Central High School

– City: Naperville
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#13. Whitney M. Young Magnet High School

– City: Chicago
– Type: Public, Magnet
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#12. Cary-Grove Community High School

– City: Cary
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#11. Naperville North High School

– City: Naperville
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#10. Lemont Township High School

– City: Lemont
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#9. Marist High School

– City: Chicago
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A

#8. Maine South High School

– City: Park Ridge
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#7. Wheaton Warrenville South High School

– City: Wheaton
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#6. Providence Catholic High School

– City: New Lenox
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A-

#5. Montini Catholic High School

– City: Lombard
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#4. Loyola Academy

– City: Wilmette
– Type: Private, Catholic
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#3. Mount Carmel High School

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

#2. Glenbard West High School

– City: Glen Ellyn
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+

#1. Lincoln-Way East High School

– City: Frankfort
– Type: Public
– Overall Niche grade: A+