Home to the city with the most championship wins in North America, there’s no denying Massachusetts sporting pedigree.
While the state dominates at the professional level, it’s no slouch at the high school or college levels either.
Football icons like Doug Flutie and Howie Long, Olympic legends Alicia Sacramone and Aly Raisman, roamed the high school hallways in Massachusetts, so did longtime NHL goalie Tom Barrasso and game-changing basketball star Rebecca Lobo. Hall of Fame baseball players Tom Glavine and Pie Traynor reigned in the Northeast, alongside the NBA great Patrick Ewing and countless others.
And with such storied history, the high schools provided the setting for so much of the athletic achievements, creating a place in the celebrated eras as well.
That athletic tradition continues today.
Which Massachusetts high schools are currently the best for athletes?
According to one study conducted by Niche, which accounts for survey feedback from students and parents—accounting for “reviews of athletics, number of state championships, student participation in athletics, and the number of sports offered at the school”—and data from the U.S. Department of Education, these are the top 25.
25. Thayer Academy (Braintree)
Total number of sports: 26
24. Tewksbury Memorial High School
Total number of sports: 24
23. St. Sebastian’s School (Needham)
Total number of sports: 13
22. Saint John’s High School (Shrewsbury)
Total number of sports: 17
21. Minnechaug Regional High School (Wilbraham)
Total number of sports: 29
20. Marblehead High School
Total number of sports: 29
19. Shrewsbury Senior High School
Total number of sports: 34
18. Billerica Memorial High School
Total number of sports: 25
17. Wellesley Senior High School
Total number of sports: 21
16. Mansfield High School
Total number of sports: 25
15. Franklin High School
Total number of sports: 27
14. Deerfield Academy
Total number of sports: 37
13. Lawrence Academy (Groton)
Total number of sports: 25
12. The Williston Northampton School (Easthampton)
Total number of sports: 35
11. North Reading High School
Total number of sports: 30
10. Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School
Total number of sports: 32
9. Notre Dame Academy (Hingham)
Total number of sports: 19
8. Nashoba Regional High School (Bolton)
Total number of sports: 30
7. Duxbury High School
Total number of sports: 30
6. Belmont Hill School
Total number of sports: 16
5. Catholic Memorial (West Roxbury)
Total number of sports: 15
4. Central Catholic High School (Lawrence)
Total number of sports: 30
3. Xaverian Brothers High School (Westwood)
Total number of sports: 17
2. Boston College High School
Total number of sports: 17
1. St. John’s Prep (Danvers)
Total number of sports: 22
Data via Niche survey statistics