The Minnesota High Schools With the Best Sports Programs

As parents, we want our children to be involved in many different activities so they can be well-rounded as they get older. That’s why high school is such an important part of their lives. In addition to learning the academic skills they need to succeed, like reading, science, and math, your kids can also learn a lot by joining extracurricular activities, including sports. There’s a lot your child can learn from playing a sport. In addition to the healthy competition, the student will also learn about how to work as part of a team and how to use logic and analytics to score. They can learn a lot during just one game. If you live in Minnesota, there are many great schools to choose from. To help you pick, we have this list of the Minnesota high schools with the best sports programs.

Just like with our previous list of California schools, this list of Minnesota high schools is based on statistics from the website Niche.com, which rates schools on various metrics, including the teachers, diversity, and clubs and activities. The schools listed here are known for having a large variety of sports, great coaches and teachers, and often championship wins that cement their legacy as a great sports school. Here is the list of schools, which is in no particular order.

Maple Grove Senior High School

First on our list of the Minnesota high schools with the best sports programs is Maple Grove Senior High School. It’s widely considered to be one of the best public high schools in the entire state, according to Niche.com. The school also gets high marks for the academics and teachers, so your kids graduate as well-rounded individuals. Participation in the sports programs is very high among both boys and girls. Plus, 91% of students and parents agree that there are great programs at the school. There are various traditional sports to try, including soccer, tennis, cross country, swim team, wrestling, and more. The schools in the district also provide many unique activities, such as Nordic skiing and robotics. The coaching staff is top-notch at this school, so many of the teams have found success at regional competitions and state championships. It’s a great school with a lot to offer.

Mankato West Senior High School

This highly rated high school, located in Mankato, MN, is considered to be the very best public school in Blue Earth County, according to Niche.com. The school has over 1,200 students, and many of them compete in the school’s sports programs. According to Niche, participation is very high, and 89% of students and teachers polled said that they liked the programs that the school had to offer. Sports at Mankato West Senior High School include volleyball, football, soccer, cross country, basketball, gymnastics, and softball, among others. There are also some great sports that aren’t provided at all schools, like alpine skiing and adaptive bowling. The coaching staff at this school is top-notch. So, the students will learn a lot while having a competitive spirit that can help them succeed on and off the field.

Rosemount Senior High School

Rosemount Senior High School is considered by Niche to be one of the very best schools in the entire state. The institution gets high marks in several metrics, including teaching, academics, and clubs and activities. Participation in sports is very high, especially among male students. It’s no surprise as to why. There are many sports from which to choose, including swimming, volleyball, tennis, floor hockey, gymnastics, lacrosse, golf, softball, baseball, and more. The staff is particularly good at this school. They demand a lot, but they provide the students with the tools they need to succeed. In addition to teaching them how to throw balls and score goals, they also teach them important skills, such as teamwork, communication, analytics, and other skills that can help them on the field and in their professional lives after graduation. All in all, it’s a great school for kids who love sports.

Lakeville South High School

Another one of the Minnesota high schools with the best sports programs and one of the best schools in the state altogether is Lakeville South. Niche lists it as the #14 best public high school in all of Minnesota. Reading and math comprehension are fairly good amongst the students, the teachers are great, and there’s a big focus on academics. However, sports is a big part of the culture as well. There is a huge variety of sports here, including cross country, football, soccer, tennis, swimming sports, golf, lacrosse, and ice hockey. There are also unique activities, such as chess and e-sports. The school also has an incredible training program. Many folks on the staff are professional doctors and experts who know how to keep the kids safe and help them succeed. It’s no wonder that many of the student-athletes and the teams have reached great success over the years in local tournaments. This is a great school with a lot to offer.

Cretin-Derham Hall

Cretin-Derham Hall in Saint Paul is a private Catholic high school with a lot going for it. The school gets high marks for sports, academics, diversity, and college prep. In fact, Cretin-Derham Hall is rated as the #2 best Catholic high school in the state. Recent stats say that 91% of graduating students go on to college, and many of them do so with sports in mind. Athletic activity is very high at this school, and 97% of students and parents believe that there are great programs. Throughout the year, students can try soccer, tennis, volleyball, swim & dive, alpine skiing, wrestling, golf, and even ultimate frisbee, which is a big hit. The school has some of the best coaches in the state, and many of the athletes do quite well. They do so well that countless alumni have been added to the school’s Hall of Fame. That gives the students something to strive for and goals to reach.

Orono Senior High School

Orono Senior High School gets high scores for its academics, teaching staff, administration, and more. With less than 1,000 students, it’s a smaller school, but it’s still considered to be amongst the best public schools in the state. Participation is incredibly high for both male and female students, and most of them agree that there are plenty of sports and activities to try. In fact, a list of just some of the available sports include dance team, basketball, tennis, trap team, lacrosse, mountain biking, alpine skiing, and more. The teams are led by incredible coaches who teach them how to win. Even more importantly, they teach them how to use teamwork, communication, and logic to win games. Those are also traits that can help the students succeed once they graduate. The school also has top-notch trainers and rehabilitation experts. They help to keep the students in good shape throughout their high school years.

St. Michael-Albertville Senior High School

This school, which is located in Saint Michael, MN, is considered by Niche to be the best public school in Wright County. The academics and the teachers get very high marks, as do the sports and activities. Sports participation is considered high for girls and very high for boys. Plus, 82% of students and teachers appreciate what the school has to offer. There are various activities at the school, so there is something for everyone. Spring and Fall sports include soccer, cross country, and football, among others. During the winter, there’s dance, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, competitive cheer, and more. In addition to teaching the kids how to win, the excellent staff and coaches at St. Michael teach the kids about teamwork, collaboration, analytics, and more, so they can compete at a high level.

Mahtomedi Senior High School

Mahtomedi Senior High School is located in Maytomedi, MN, in Washington County. This is a fairly large school with close to 1,200 students. Many of them are proficient in math, English, and other essential subjects. The clubs, sports, and activities also get good reviews. Participation in sports is very high among boys and girls. There are numerous options. During fall, sports range from soccer and football to volleyball. For winter, the kids can try out for floor hockey, alpine skiing, gymnastics, basketball, and more. Also, during spring, the kids can try baseball, golf, lacrosse, softball, track & field, and more. There’s a lot to try, and the coaches and staff are there to help the students succeed and learn the skills that can also help them in life after they graduate. The teams do well, and the students can enjoy the activities to the fullest.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s School

St. Margaret’s School is a Catholic high school that is among the very best in the state. It’s also one of the Minnesota high schools with the best sports programs. The academics, sports, and clubs & activities are the highlights here. When asked, 93% of students and teachers agreed that there were plenty of worthwhile activities at the school, and they liked many of them. In fact, there’s something for everyone here. Sports include bowling, swimming, football, tennis, skiing, hockey, table tennis, golf, and more. There are also some sports that you won’t see at many other schools. They include clay shooting, drone racing, e-sports, sailing club, ultimate frisbee, and others. In addition to winning, the administration encourages students to learn new skills, be a good influence on the community, and always strive for excellence. This is a school where your kids can try multiple unique sports and be truly happy.

Wayzata High School

Wayzata High School in Plymouth, MN, is considered by Niche.com to be the very best public high school in all of Minnesota. This is a huge school with over 3,500 students, but the teachers do incredible work. As of the time of this writing, 81% of the students are proficient in reading, and 78% are proficient in math. That’s very high compared to other schools. Luckily, the sports are just as impressive. In fact, 75% of the students in the school participate in at least one sport. Overall, there are 36 athletic programs that include wrestling, alpine skiing, basketball, baseball, football, and more. The coaches and staff are incredible at Wayzata. With their efforts, and that of the amazing athletes, the various teams have won 101 state championships, and there are likely even more on the horizon. This is a school that is very proud of its athletics programs. So there’s a lot for young students to look forward to each and every year.

Hermantown Senior High School

Hermantown Senior High School is a relatively small school in Hermantown, MN, with about 660 students as of the time of this writing. Among other things, the school is highly rated for being amongst the best public schools in the state. It’s also considered one of the schools with the best teachers in the state. As far as sports, there is very high participation amongst the students, and the parents also think the programs are top-notch. Possible sports programs include football, swimming, cross country, baseball, tennis, volleyball, and many others. Sports are a big deal at the school, so the coaches go above and beyond for the student-athletes and help them win semifinal and championship matches year after year. Some of the teams even have professional sponsors who help the athletes operate and reach their full potential. There’s a lot to love at Hermantown, so it may be the perfect place for your student.

Academy of Holy Angels

Academy of Holy Angels is a private Catholic school in Richfield, MN. It’s a small school of about 630 students, but that means that each of them gets the individualized attention they deserve. In fact, 97% of the students who graduate go on to a four-year college to earn a degree. So, the academics are top-notch, but what about the sports? They’re very popular, with 91% of students and parents agreeing that there’s plenty to do. A sampling of the sports at this school includes baseball, golf, lacrosse, shooting sports, synchronized swimming, softball, tennis, track and field, and more. The school has great pride in its athletes. They show it by giving out awards each year, such as Mr. and Ms. Soccer, the Player of the Year, and more. The coaches and athletes really care about what they do, which is why many of the teams win championships on a regular basis. This is a great school to get the best schooling and excel in a sport.

Lakeville North High School

Another institution that certainly deserves a spot on this list of Minnesota high schools with the best sports programs is Lakeville North High School. Located in Lakeville, MN, this school gets high marks for academics and for the educators who call the school home. Male and female students are very active in sports and activities. Plus, most parents believe the programs are of good quality. A handful of sports available at this school and within this district include basketball, hockey, swim & dive, gymnastics, wrestling, nordic skiing, tennis, softball, golf, and more. The school and the staff put an immense amount of work into the student-athletes. Many of them lead successful careers during and after high school. In fact, many of the athletes have reached incredible heights. They include Regan Smith, who became a two-time Olympian, and Ian Seidenfeld, who is a two-time Paralympic medalist. This is a great school to consider for parents and teens who want to reach their athletic goals.

Chanhassen High School

Considered to be the very best school in Carver County by Niche.com, Chanhassen High School is a great institution that gets rave reviews. The academics, teachers, and clubs & activities typically get special mention. Participation in sports is considered very high for both male and female students, and most parents agree that the activities provided are top-notch. The school offers over 30 different athletic programs. They range from volleyball and adaptive soccer to boys and girls hockey, lacrosse, basketball, track & field, and more. When it comes to athletics at Chanhassen High School, it’s much more than just about winning. The school has a number of beliefs, including that sports should be competitive but fun. They also think that athletics should teach positive values, such as pride in self and team. They also believe sports should improve a student’s mental and physical well-being. This is a great school with a lot going for it. That makes it a great opportunity for your high schooler.

Minnetonka Senior High School

The final entry on this list of the Minnesota high schools with the best sports programs is Minnetonka Senior High School. Niche calls it the third-best school in the state. The reason is that the school gets rave reviews for the academics, teachers, clubs & activities, and the fact that the school offers great college prep opportunities for the students. As far as sports, there are many from which to choose. They include soccer, cross country, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, swimming, bowling, baseball, golf, fastpitch, and more. The coaching is also top-notch. That is why many of the teams have won countless local and state championships over the years. Many of the student-athletes have gone on to do great things. For instance, a former hockey team player was recently named the National Hockey Player of the Year by USA Today. Overall, there’s a lot to love about this school and the athletic programs.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©AndreyPopov/ via Getty Images.